We woke up the next morning, and I wish I could say we felt super refreshed—but the night was rough. It had been one of the hottest days of the summer in Edinburgh, and there was no A/C. Our windows opened into a courtyard with absolutely no breeze.
When we stayed at St. Blanes House, we always slept with the window cracked open, letting in the sea breeze. It was perfect. But this… this was different.
I called the lobby and asked, “This might be a dumb question, but do we have A/C?” Sadly, they said no. I asked if they could bring up a fan, and they sent the saddest little fan I’ve ever seen. We ended up sleeping without covers, in minimal clothing—basically sweating all night.
All this to say: Americans need air conditioning. Traveling to a country where many buildings are historic and don’t have it definitely takes some getting used to.
The next morning, we powered through in search of coffee before starting our final day in Edinburgh. We walked out onto Frederick Street and headed to the nearest coffee shop on Princes Street—Black Sheep Coffee—for a much-needed latte.
Our itinerary for the day was full of adventure. We’re natural early risers and wanted to explore the city before the afternoon crowds. We planned to take the red bus through Old Town, then head to the River of Leith, Stockbridge, Dean Village, and finally back to Old Town for our tour of Edinburgh Castle.
While sitting on the second floor of the coffee shop, we had a direct view of the castle. It’s impossible to miss, sitting high on a rocky cliff. Its presence is so grand and powerful—you can feel its strength and history just looking at it.
Back outside, we hit the streets on foot. Edinburgh is incredibly walkable, and we mostly explored that way—logging over eight miles that day with a few bus rides and an Uber to give our tired feet a break.
The city’s rich heritage and majestic atmosphere honestly feel like something out of a storybook. What’s funny is that its gray stone buildings often match the color of the sky. But during our short trip, we had sunny days—and we weren’t mad about that!
If you’re visiting, I highly recommend getting up early to see the city before the crowds arrive. It’s the best way to soak everything in without feeling rushed.
As we made our way toward the Grassmarket, we stopped at The Kilted Donut for a sweet treat and another coffee. Their gourmet donuts were next-level—pistachio crunch, cinnamon swirl, Boston cream, cookie explosion, and my favorite: the Kilted Teacake, topped with chocolate, marshmallows, and cream filling.
We also passed the cutest cat café with cats lounging in the windows—dream business idea! There are tons of great breakfast and pastry spots in the area, and it was hard to choose.
We hopped on the double-decker red bus and climbed to the second level, where there’s open-air seating—perfect for soaking in the views. The route took us through Georgian New Town, past the Royal Botanic Garden, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which overlooks the majestic Arthur’s Seat.
As we passed through St. Andrew Square, we saw the towering monument in the middle of the green park. People were sitting on the lawn, eating lunch or reading. We cruised by a red door on a Georgian-style home in New Town—that was the former home of Robert Louis Stevenson, the famous Scottish author of Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
As we continued north, we passed family neighborhoods, schools, and parks—places where real Edinburgh life unfolds. When we reached the Royal Yacht Britannia, we admired it from the bus. If we had more time, I definitely would’ve loved to tour it.
For over 44 years, the Royal Yacht carried the Royal Family across the globe, traveling over a million nautical miles. Queen Elizabeth II used it for official events, royal honeymoons, and quiet family holidays. It symbolized the Commonwealth and played a role in billions of pounds in trade deals. To the Royal Family and the 220 crew members who lived aboard, it was home.
We didn’t stop again until we reached the River of Leith. Leith is the historic port of Edinburgh and showcases a mix of architectural styles—from grand neoclassical and Georgian buildings to Victorian tenements and modern designs that honor its industrial roots. The old stone and slate-roof buildings now sit alongside trendy cafes, galleries, and sleek new apartments made from glass and timber.
We had lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant called Kezban—absolutely delicious!
Next, we made our way to Stockbridge and then Dean Village. You have to check out these two areas—they’re completely different but connected by a gorgeous riverside walk.
Dean Village feels like a fairytale. Tucked away in a peaceful valley along the Water of Leith, it was once home to working mills. The historic buildings are charming and serene—it’s hard to believe you’re still in the city.
The walk from Dean Village to Stockbridge is beautiful. You follow the river path, pass under the massive Dean Bridge (over 100 feet above you!), and eventually end up in the lively heart of Stockbridge.
Stockbridge has a totally different energy—bustling with shops, cafés, and independent bookstores. It’s the perfect mix of calm and lively.
If you’re up for it, you can keep following the Water of Leith for even more adventure.
Pro tip: wear good walking shoes. I wore Dr. Scholl’s Time Off sneakers and walked over eight miles—they were super comfy and still looked cute!