Auld Reekie Calls To Us: Edinburgh Part 2 of 2

Something caught my eye when I walked pass this huge building. On it there were quotes regarding Edinburgh's status as the first UNESCO City of Literature. Think of R.L. Stevenson, whose inspiration for 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' sparked from the story of a Scottish man, Deacon Brodie, a deacon by day and burglar by night. Imagine that! Now it is time to unfold the second part to the Edinburgh trip!

UNESCO City of Literature

Day Three:

Speaking of literature in Scotland, Rachel and I were interested in the Writer's Museum. Erwan decided to pay a visit to the Surgeon's Museum. Although eventually the Surgeon's Museum turned out to have later opening hours than expected, Rachel and I had a great time at our side.

Well, the only part that got on our nerves slightly was when we had to search for the Museum. It took us a while, after walking up and down the street, to discover a little lane leading to it. The red city tour bus drove away to reveal Lady Stair's Close, and if you look closer, you might be able to see its sign with the silhouette of a man in contemplation at his desk.

In the little path...

There were pretty wonderful exhibitions with original works of several Scottish writers, first or special editions, and their possessions. Fingers crossed, we hope to someday gain the same amount of recognition in the field of writing too.

The Writer's Museum

Later on, we went for the Edinburgh Dungeon. To make things clear, on all ghost/haunted/night tours and related entertainment, 'we' refers to Erwan and myself. It's some sort of "haunted house" tour where you get to rediscover the unfortunate past of the people in Edinburgh.

It's scary to think that people could be sentenced to death in the 16th century (by the gallows or guillotine) with only one accusation with no need for solid proof. According to what we were told, during a time of political and religious weakening, paranoia emerged followed by ridiculous Acts such as the burning of 'witches' (which then anyone could be sentenced for-if you look different, act different, or is simply disliked by someone else), the torture for a 'confession' and back then homelessness was also a crime (hence they were forced into the Underground). Let's not mention the body-snatchers, Burke and Hare, who dug up fresh graves and harvested bodies for the medical schools. The tour was spooky, definitely, but fun nonetheless.

The Edinburgh Dungeon

Coming out of the shadows and into the sun, we then took a bus to Queensferry, far from the city centre to the piers, where we sat on a cruise. Mind you, the Edinburgh Pass did stretch our pounds a great deal.
 

Queensferry

It was more for some moments of relaxation. Can't be in the city all day! We caught glimpses of seals, puffins (the adorable looking creature which is also the name of a publishing company, yes), jellyfishes and noticed seagulls everywhere. We might have seen other species of birds too but I don't remember if we did.

Seals

Queensferry Street

This place was actually quite a beauty, to be honest. If you look in the photo above, you might be able to see that the street has two levels. One leads upwards for pedestrians and the other that heads downwards, mostly for cars. They resemble the picturesque scenes in Romantic films, don't you think?

Also, we went for another night tour. However, since I've mentioned quite a lot of information on it earlier on, I'll leave it at that and say that overall it was fantastic.

Day Four:

Since Erwan has already been to the Castle, Rachel and I decided that it's time to see the most prominent landmark of Edinburgh. The entrance fees were quite hefty though, so we didn't go in. Maybe another time when I can go back. Yes, I believe I will go back.

Edinburgh Castle

Closer view of Castle

Instead, we spent more time window-shopping. Not too bad a replacement, I suppose. By afternoon, we were on our respective modes of transportation towards home. Quite the usual 'tourist-like' ending to the trip. So, yes, what happens when a law, literature and medical students go to Edinburgh? It's not really much of joke; it just shows that Edinburgh has so much history that involves and influences the three fields that there was something for all of us.

The sky is a canvas

On that note, I end my visual tour with a beautiful scene I saw on our way back to Norwich. Where the sky was a canvas graced by an alluring spectrum of colours as light made way for night, where the world can be colourful if we choose to see the paints, and life can be an adventure if we want it to be.