My First Observations of Edinburgh

2024/04/30

My First Observations of Edinburgh

Last week, when I was just in Scotland for a few days, I wrote an article about my very first observations of the country. Now that I’ve had one full week to explore Edinburgh, I’ve noticed many many more interesting & fun things about the city.

Edinburgh is full of greenery

This city is full of trees, parks, gardens, forests, landscaping, flowers, open lawns and big wild hills. That makes visiting in Spring a real delight. Everywhere I turn there are vibrant spring flowers, blooming trees and bushes, budding trees filled with dainty spring-green leaves and lots of Spring fragrances in the air.

Historic brownstone buildings abound

Besides all the greenery, the most dominant aspect of the city are the hefty brownstone buildings. The houses, apartment buildings, shops, churches, government buildings and even Edinburgh Castle, are all built of beautiful brownstone. In many places, there is nothing but brownstone buildings.

Double Decker Buses

Yeah! Bright red double-decker buses are abundant here in Edinburgh, just like in London. I just love these bright big buses. So iconic for the UK.

I especially love riding on the top floor, particularly in the front seats, where you can watch non-stop panoramic scenery throughout the whole bus trip.

Dogs are allowed on public buses!

Since I’m taking care of my dog ward, Bonnie, and since there are several huge parks in the city, I thought it would be great to take her with me to the parks and let her run around.

When I asked a bus driver if dogs were allowed on the buses, he replied, “Yes, of course!”… as if that’s the norm all over the world. Yippie!

So I’ve been taking Bonnie out on bus-and-park expeditions. She certainly loves running around for several hours, and I get to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Free ladies menstrual products in public bathrooms!

I was astounded when I entered the women’s restroom in the National Library and noticed tampons and pads set out in a little basket. Wow, free menstrual products? How amazing is that? (meanwhile, back in the US, ultra-conservatives are stripping away women’s reproductive rights!)

Cafes in the library

I was astounded when I walked in to the venerable National Library of Scotland. The first thing arrivals encounter is their spacious, open-air cafe and the adjacent gift shop. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cafe in a library anywhere else in the world. Inside museums, yes. But libraries?

Red Public Phone Booths

Iconic red public phone booths are scattered about Edinburgh. I don’t think they’re in use any more. The one I photographed is completely empty inside.

So cool that the city left them in place as iconic historical markers even though no longer in use!

Free Museums!

Most of Edinburgh’s museums are completely free! That includes the most important museums, such as the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh City Museum, the three National Galleries (museums with paintings): Portraiture, Modern Art and Classical Art.

It’s pretty unusual to find a city with free major museums, though not unheard of. I’ve come across the same in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; and come to think of it, the Smithsonian Museums in DC. USA.

Edinburgh is full of international tourists

It should be no surprise that renowned Edinburgh is full of international tourists. But it’s really obvious walking around anywhere in central Edinburgh since you’re constantly hearing different languages being spoken.

There’s French, German, various Asian languages, Hindi and that distinctive American & Canadian English floating around, among others.

Different English words and expressions

Everyone knows that American and British English is different to some degree. There are different pronunciations, expressions, words and even some different grammar. As I’m walking around Edinburgh, I regularly run into signs using quite different English words that what we use in the US.

Generally, it’s pretty easy to figure out what the signs mean in context and, in my case, probably to some extent because I’ve been traveling so long and interacting with people from so many different countries. But I imagine that I’ll come across some words that I don’t understand at all here in Scotland!

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You also might enjoy:

My First Observations of Scotland

20 Famous Scots

My Two-Month Travel Itinerary for Scotland

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