Edinburgh! – Round 2

Last weekend the two of us found ourselves in Edinburgh… because let’s face it, it was bound to happen. (Previous Edinburgh visit can be found here!)

It was the genius of our friend Mark, suggesting we make a trip during winter just to see what the city was like around Christmas. A brave move I know, heading to Scotland in December, but we didn’t get too rained on. ~~We totally did.~~

Fast forward riding on the tube, a train to Manchester, a drive to Lancaster (including a few wrong turns :P), an obligatory Burger King pit stop, and the remaining drive all the way to Edinburgh… and we finally arrived at our flat for the weekend.

We were a little bit in love with the flat (on Rossie Place)… walking distance from the town centre, affordable and gorgeous. Though the icing on the cake was when our lovely host, Stephanie, risked her life just to save us a parking space… whilst carrying her baby! True hero. Will definitely be staying there again!

After dropping off our stuff we headed out to the Christmas markets for the bright lights, food and mulled cider.

Deep fried cheese…of ALL varieties.

Bratkartoffeln – German pan-fried potatoes with onions and bacon.

Pork Steak.

Mulled Cider and Pimm’s Hot Apple Strudel (blackberry and elderflower Pimm’s, apple juice, nutmeg, chocolate and cream).

Amaretto and Cherry Compote Crêpe.

We then headed to the Dragonfly Cocktail bar in Grassmarket, which came highly recommended with good reason. The ‘BurntIsland Ice Tea’ was so fruity and tropical and coconuty… and just plain beautiful. <insert fuzzy photo from the dimly lit bar>

The next morning we filled up on Scottish crumpets before heading out to the Timberyard restaurant on Lady Lawson Street for yet more food/lunch… oh, and to meet Vanessa! See more from Timberyard here, it was so good we made a separate post!

We spent the rest of our Saturday taking in the sights, eating some more, and checking out some of the local pubs/live music.

Buying fudge from The Fudge House of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile.

Dinner at Whiski.

Classic Sausage and Mash. Always a winner.

Steak & Ale Pie – made with house ale.

Haggis with Neeps and Tatties. When in Scotland.

Cranachan for dessert – whisky, oatmeal, cream, honey and raspberries. So tasty we’re totally gonna try making this ourselves!

Cheeky mulled wine in the quirkiest pub ever – Dirty Dick’s on Rose Street. Think of a random object…chances are they have it somewhere on the wall.

Then we finished off with a drink in the White Hart pub in Grassmarket for some live music. The musician had Round Here by Counting Crows on his song list, so naturally we thought he was brilliant. He also played ‘To Be With You’ by Mr. Big….and I haven’t stopped singing it since. Waaaaaaited on a line!

The next morning, before continuing our sight seeing, we headed out for brunch at the Edinburgh Larder – a cute little café located on Blackfriars Street just off the Royal Mile, with the friendliest waiter in Edinburgh and some seriously tasty grub.