Having barely returned from London at the end of March, I was already searching for my next destination. I found it – a two-day trip to Scotland in mid-May: one day in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow.
In early April, I saw a 40 euro round-trip ticket to Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, on Wizz Air and booked it right away. The flight was scheduled to leave on Thursday evening and return on Saturday night, allowing for two full days. Since the attractions in both Edinburgh and Glasgow are fairly concentrated, I allocated one day for each city.
As of March 18, the UK had lifted all COVID-related restrictions, making travel to Scotland hassle-free for Hungarian citizens. Mask wearing was no longer required, although it was mandatory on the Wizz Air flight back home (I don’t understand why, as it wasn’t needed on the way there).
Table of Contents
Edinburgh
I stayed in a hostel, starting my long day at 8:45 AM on Friday. Those who can handle a lot of walking can explore the city on foot. Expect to walk well over 10 km, but with so many attractions, you often only need to cover a few hundred meters at a time.
The weather was overcast and windy all day, but we are in the UK, where this is no surprise…
The starting point was the Holyroodhouse Palace, which I could only view from the outside in the morning.
Opposite it is the parliament building, which doesn’t look like what it actually is. It’s a modern building along a street with just a few security guards lounging around. But Scotland is a peaceful country; there’s nothing for the rulers to fear…
From there, I climbed up to Calton Hill, which has several monuments and a stunning view. It’s home to Scotland’s national monument, the Nelson Monument, the Dugald Stewart Monument, and a gallery. It’s worth spending some time at the base, enjoying the panorama from the sea to the city center.
Continuing west on Princess Street, the Scott Monument is visible from afar. You can climb up the Gothic tower. I didn’t go in, as the views from Calton Hill and the castle can’t be surpassed.
Not far away, the national gallery opens at 10 AM, a must-visit for art enthusiasts. But the good news for everyone is that it’s free, so I also took a round.
In the large garden along the way, I checked out the Ross Fountain, which offers a great view of the castle soaring above the rock.
Dean Village is just a 10-minute walk away. This one or two-street area evokes old Edinburgh. Along the stream, you find real tranquility, and the beautiful buildings along the stream offer a lovely view.
I continued west along the Leith stream to visit the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, also free. Well, there are some interesting exhibits here, that’s for sure. 🙂
Then I headed downtown, but on the way, it’s mandatory to check out St Mary’s Cathedral, both inside and out. And entry is free here too!
The southern part of the castle was my next target. Through Grassmarket, I went to the National Museum. Now, this was exactly to my taste.
In Scotland, several cemeteries are tourist attractions. In Edinburgh, this is Greyfriars Kirkyard, where you can peacefully walk and take photos among the grave markers.
I saved the Royal Mile, the main street, for last, with the castle rising at its western end. On the street, you can also freely visit St Giles’ Cathedral, but there are other possible activities (e.g., an optical illusion museum, whisky tour).
The view from the castle over the city is beautiful. Unfortunately, the northern part was not visible due to renovation. I didn’t go inside the castle, as I had enough cultural shock for one day, and this was plenty for Friday.
I enjoy evening walks, so I wandered around downtown even after dark. The Royal Mile was almost empty, much more relaxed than the daytime crowd. And you must see the illuminated castle from below!
Glasgow
Early Saturday morning, I checked out of my accommodation and took the 7:30 AM bus to Glasgow. The journey took 80 minutes, and I bought the ticket online for 3.50 GBP.
In Glasgow too, I explored the city on foot, using the subway just once. There’s a circular route that operates in both directions, covering most major attractions, so you can replace part of the walk with it.
Starting from Buchanan bus station, I headed west. First, I visited the University of Glasgow, passing through Kelvingrove Park. The building itself is beautiful, and so is the Hunterian Museum inside it, offering free exhibitions on various topics.
Next, I went to the Kelvingrove Museum, which is also free to enter. It’s a high-quality museum, covering everything from different cultures to natural sciences. I spent a bit less time there due to a fire alarm that required evacuating the building, but I managed to see most of it.
Then came the Riverside Museum along the Clyde River. Needless to say, it’s also free! I particularly enjoy transportation museums, and this one is top-notch. One of the best features is an old-style street section, giving a lifelike impression in semi-darkness. On the riverside, you can also explore a sailing ship.
There, I tried a Scottish Square Sausage dish. It’s a square meat patty in a bun-like pastry. As they say, it was okay, but I prefer our local sausages. 😊
I walked to the nearby Partick subway station and took the subway to St Enoch station. Walking along the river, I reached Glasgow Green park, where attractions include the McLennan Arch, the Nelson Monument, and the People’s Palace. The latter is a small exhibition showcasing the city’s old life (also free).
In brilliant weather, I visited the Necropolis, a Victorian cemetery on a hill. Many tourists were with me, enjoying the beautiful view and good weather, and the extraordinary attraction!
At the base of the cemetery hill stands the cathedral. Supposedly, you need to book online for entry, but they let everyone in. Inside, it’s more modest than previous churches I visited, but it’s much more imposing from the outside.
Next, I headed to George Square, where Celtic football team fans were celebrating their league title. The square features several statues and the central Scott Monument.
The last stop of the day was Buchanan Street, the main street. It was Saturday and the weather was nice, so naturally, it was crowded. I sat on a bench and listened to the indispensable sound of the Scottish bagpipes.
My bus to the airport left at 6:15 PM, and I flew back with Wizz Air’s flight at 10:15 PM.
Summary
In two days, I managed to explore two great but distinct cities. Edinburgh represents the old times, while Glasgow more so the modern era. I found the old-style houses very beautiful.
A bonus is that most museums are free and of high quality. I visited almost all of them, even if I didn’t spend much time in some.
More days could easily be devoted to both cities, but I managed it with a quick trip. I can only encourage everyone to plan a trip here; you won’t regret it!