I LOVE Edinburgh

Our final full day in Scotland was one of my favorites and the perfect farewell to Scotland. This was my first visit to Scotland and I absolutely love Edinburgh.

Morning Walking Tour Through Edinburgh

We began the day with a walking tour through Edinburgh, soaking in its rich history and timeless architecture. From the cobbled streets of the Royal Mile to the hidden courtyards to breathtaking views, this tour gave us a deeper appreciation for why Edinburgh is often described as one of the most beautiful and mysterious cities in Europe.

Exploring Edinburgh Castle

Next, we made our way up to the iconic Edinburgh Castle, perched dramatically atop Castle Rock. Before we entered, our Tour Manager Lynsey provided us some local treats include IRN-BRU soda and Tunnock’s teacakes. The IRN-BRU is a unique orange color soda but does not taste orange. It is described as a mix of citrus, bubblegum, and vanilla. I actually liked it although I don’t drink soda very often but enjoyed getting to try it. The Tunnock’s teacakes remind me a bit of a Mallomar but was so much better! We then entered the Castle and I explored the royal chambers, ancient chapels, and the Scottish Crown Jewels. No photos or videos are allowed to be taken of the Crown Jewels and be prepared to wait in line outside and throughout.

ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA

I had a quick visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. I quickly toured the museum and then went through the ship. This was the official yacht for the royal family from 1954 until it was decommissioned in 1997.

MAKING A HARRIS TWEED BAG

One of the things I was most looking forward to was the Islander Harris Tweed bag-making class. I had booked this class well in advance and was so excited to end the Scotland tour with this great souvenir. Using authentic, handwoven fabric from the Outer Hebrides, we created our own personalized keepsakes â€” something truly unique to take home.

Farewell Dinner: The Amber Restaurant

Our Collette group came together one last time for a farewell dinner at The Amber Restaurant, tucked into the Scotch Whisky Experience just off the Royal Mile. We said farewell to our Tour Manager Lyndsey and our coach driver John. That’s a wrap for the Collette Explorations small group tour Scotland: Land of Lore & Legend.

Tomorrow, I am off to England to visit with friends!