On Top of the World

As I wound my way upwards, my breath became more laboured and by degrees, it became more of an effort to make the lengthy ascent. I stopped for a while regaining my composure and looking out at the already magnificent vistas and then upwards toward my goal, I realised that the rocky bastions above were now obtainable and so I pressed ever onward until finally, I had completed my task. I took a moment to savour this victory before looking out across the landscape to enjoy the view…it seemed as though I was standing on top of the world.

A scene from the conquest of Everest…or the ascent of the Matterhorn perhaps?

Not a bit of it; but a fond memory of my ascent of Edinburgh Castle Hill some years ago when I took a City Break in that great Midlothian Capital. I remember it so well, as my break in Edinburgh was one of the best times of my life. I remember booking into a superb hotels in Edinburgh; the Melville Castle Hotel, which was actually a real 18th century Castle. I figured at the time that if I were going to check into an Edinburgh Hotel it might as well be a good one and with only 32 guest rooms and set as it was in around 50 acres of parkland, this was going to be a bit of an urban oasis.

I didn’t linger long, however, magnificent as my hotel in Edinburgh was, I also wanted to see the sights of the Scottish Capital and so it was, that I got a cab to take me to my destination just 20 minutes away.

The most stunning attraction in Edinburgh (apart from my Edinburgh Hotel – which to this day still stays in my memory) must be Edinburgh Castle. It sits atop a huge volcanic outcrop and it overlooks and dominates the City. A trip to the summit will reward the visitor with magnificent views as well as interesting and historic attractions within the castle itself. It will be of interest that public transport is available to take you to the summit of Castle Hill, but there are always some intrepid souls who wish to savour the Castle experience and make the lengthy ascent on foot (as I did). For those brave individuals, it will be of comfort to know that on the return journey, a well stocked Pub awaits at the base of the hill!

There are scores of other fabulous attractions to be found in Edinburgh though and I have fond memories of walking through the Georgian splendour of many of the fine streets, taking in the magnificent shops of central Edinburgh as well as the open spaces of Edinburgh Botanical Gardens and Holyrood Park; this is matched by my remembrances of fine dining and the great social and nightlife that I encountered there.

All in all the City gave me some of the best times that I have had and I cannot recommended it highly enough…all that I can say is; to get yourself up to Edinburgh, get yourself booked into an Edinburgh Hotels and grab yourself some happy memories!