On our last day in Edinburgh, we walk to Holyrood Park to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse. On our way, we pass through a cemetery in a park, and of course, we see the castle again. We walk the Royal Mile and continue on Canongate, an iconic street where we like the building with a cantilevered clock above the sidewalk.
Of course, we have to pay a visit to Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop, a famous independent bottler. Sadly, it is an underwhelming experience; as true whisky fans we somehow expected more. Maybe if it wasn’t so crowded and the staff was taking the time to chat with us, it would be different. It isn’t though.
On the way to Holyrood, we stop at Clarinda’s Tearoom because I want to have cream tea and a scone. The ambience is cute, but the tea and scone (and my friend’s sandwich) aren’t quite satisfying nor worth the price. Still, I get my British tearoom experience.
We pass by a modern concrete building that catches my eye because it doesn’t quite fit in with the surroundings. It’s the Scottish Parliament, and I find the rock insets interesting; I’m guessing it’s a clumsy nod to the old-style architecture around it.
Finally, we get to Holyrood, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse is closed, the gate shut and locked. It’s still an impressive sight from behind the wrought iron fence. We wander the gardens and admire the flowers before making our way back.
The next morning, we take the train back to Glasgow, where we spend one last and very short night at a hotel before we catch our flights early the next day; my friend flies to London and from there back home, so it’s goodbye for now.
Love the tea time! I bet those scones were yummy … but not gluten and dairy free! Hope you didn’t pay too dearly for the indulgence, I’m sure it was worth it!