Last couple explorations in Edinburgh...

In the last couple weeks, friends and I made sure to visit the sites of Edinburgh that we had not yet seen.  Right on one of the most popular tourists streets in the city stands the Sir Walter Scott Monument, which reaches 287 steps high and provides an amazing 360 degree view of the city. For just a few pounds we hiked up to the top on a nice sunny (bounced back and forth from overcast) day!

Sir Walter Scott Monument

View of Edinburgh Castle

Princes Street

Princes Street Gardens

View of Arthur Seat

View of Calton Hill

Later that week we visited the Palace of Holyrood located at the end of the Royal Mile.  The Palace is the residence of the Queen of England when she comes to visit Edinburgh.  Right out back we walked through the old Abbey and the beautiful Palace Gardens.

Old Abbey

Palace Gardens

Just recently before everyone started to leave for home, a few of us hiked up Arthur Seat one last time.  Another day we walked down to the Botanical Gardens and spent a couple hours just relaxing and enjoying the weather.  We also checked out the National Gallery of Scotland...didn't spend too much time in there though; we realized we were sick of seeing so much art after all the galleries and museums we visited over spring break.