Edinburgh-Day One

Big plans for Day One. Royal Mile Whiskies and The Edinburgh Military Tattoo. A very Scottish Day.

One of the wonderful aspects of Azamara is the ship size. In the case of Edinburgh, the ship is able to negotiate the locks and dock in Leith. Which means Joe and Marianne, along with Bob and Karrie were able to take the Tram into Edinburgh. A 15 minute walk to The Royal Mile and first stop

Joe is a regular customer. He seeks small batch single malt speyside and highland whiskies that are not exported

Several whiskies were tasted and decisions to purchase were made. Then to lunch at a local place recommended by an ex-pat Bob conversed with on the Tram.

There was a line to get a table so it must be good.

Joe enjoyed a sausage casserole. Bob, Kerrie and Marianne split sausage casserole, and bangers and mash. Haggis was also served. Joe chose not to partake.

Bob and Kerrie decided to go back to the ship to drop some of their purchases. Joe and Marianne walked through the Greyfriars Kirkyard, home of Greyfriars Bobby, the notorious dog who spent 14 years at his master’s grave.

Marianne did some shopping. Joe hung out in a bar.

And then a walk up the hill seeking the restaurant that was used seven years ago while waiting for the Tattoo gates to open. There was a huge shop at the top of the hill near the entrance. Marianne checked it out. Then back down the hill. The courtyard of the headquarters building for the festival was available and had two food trucks. A table was staked out and the wait for the gates to open at 20:00 began.

The gates opened on time and thanks to Joe and Bob befriending one of the yellow-vested people a place in the first part of the line was obtained.