My fiance and I recently got bad from our Scotland tour- and it was incredible. We stayed in Edinburgh and based our Scotland trip out of the capital city. In parts 1-3 (because yes, there are a lot of details), we explored Scottish whisky, Harry Potter sites in Edinburgh, and even ventured into the Scottish countryside. We took an Outlander film locations tour and then another day trip to St. Andrews, Falkland, and the Kingdom of Fife. If you’ve missed the beginning of our Scotland Tour, no worries! You can catch up here. Otherwise, keep reading for more Edinburgh history, witchy vibes, and beautiful places to see around the city.
Our Last Morning in Edinburgh
This was our final full day in Edinburgh- we were sad but ready to make the most of it. We had breakfast at the Edinburgh Larder- locals were lined up outside, so we knew it had to be good. We weren’t wrong- this was my favorite breakfast of the trip. I had waffles with spiced, glazed apples and bacon, garnished with an amazing walnut cream cheese. To die for.
We explored the Royal Mile for a bit after breakfast, and because I am obsessed with Outlander, we had to make a stop at a very recognizable film location from the series. Bakehouse Close is located on the Royal Mile, so it’s very accessible for a quick stop. It was used in season 3 out Outlander (spoiler alert: as Jamie’s Edinburgh print shop and where he and Claire finally reunite). If you know, you know.
Sightseeing/Instagrammable spots in Edinburgh
Logan and I stopped at the famous Milkman coffee shop before venturing out to see some of Edinburgh’s most iconic spots. First up was the Scott Monument- a tribute to famous writer Sir Walter Scott. Located in the beautiful Princes Street Gardens, this is a stunning Victorian Gothic monument, and a great place to admire the park and city.
Just a short walk away from the Scott Monument (and also located in Princes Street Gardens) is Ross Fountain. The Victorian fountain itself its beautiful with its blue and gold colors, but the view of Edinburgh Castle is just unreal. It feels magical here, and is a great place to sit and have lunch in the park.
For a bit of a fairytale escape, we ventured into Dean Village. A tranquil village just outside of the Stockbridge neighborhood, Dean Village is a great place for photos with a fairytale feel. Living here would be an absolute dream.
Circus Lane was our next instagrammable spot in Edinburgh- it’s a small, quiet residential area perfect for taking photos. Would I also live here? Absolutely!
The Witchery by the Castle
For our final dinner in Scotland, we decided to go to The Witchery by the Castle. Steeped in hundreds’ of years worth of history, it’s named The Witchery for a reason: it’s near the site where, in the 16th and 17th centuries, it’s thought more accused witches were burned at the stake than anywhere else in Scotland. I love the history of this restaurant (and hotel!), but the actual restaurant itself is even better. The main dining room is dark, candle-lit, and feels as if you’re dining in the 18th century. It’s beautiful- and the food was good as well, although we definitely want to go back to have an afternoon tea here next time we find ourselves in Edinburgh!
Our final adventure in Edinburgh
Next we headed to Alanda’s Gelato for dessert, and had the BEST hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life. We enjoyed our gelato and hot chocolate in the peace of Greyfriar’s Kirkyard and then headed to our final adventure in Edinburgh: The Real Mary King’s Close. What’s really cool about this experience? You can take a lantern-led tour into Edinburgh’s only preserved 17th-century street. This was so interesting. We ventured through what was once the widest street in Edinburgh, and also through houses touched by the plague. It was dreary and dark, but the 1 hour tour will give you great insight as to what life in 17th century Edinburgh was like. Logan and I loved this tour, and would definitely recommend it!
Our Scotland Trip
Overall, our trip to Scotland was a huge success. And honestly? It’s the best trip I’ve ever been on. Edinburgh itself is magical- the cobblestone streets and historical building will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time (or even into a Harry Potter movie!). We got to branch out and see numerous Outlander filming locations, the countryside and seaside of St. Andrews, and more historic gems. If you’ve never been to Scotland, I highly recommend booking your trip asap!
What was your favorite part of our trip to Scotland? Let me know in the comments below!
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