The cruise port for Edinburg is at South Queensferry. We tender at this port and take a water shuttle to the pier. Those who did not book through the ship have to take the water shuttle to the pier and then pay 10 pounds for a round-trip shuttle bus into the town. It was definitely worth it to book a Princess tour here.
The water shuttle butts up against the side of the ship and passengers fill it to capacity before it sails over to the land. This port has one large tender shuttle, and the cruise ship lets down two of her own lifeboats as tender boats, too. I took this photo from the ship looking down at the shuttle and tender boats:
We walk from our tender drop-off at the pier to just outside the security gate. It looks like someone is leaving the ship today! I’m sad for them unless it is a crew member getting to go home.
Princess had everything well-organized, and it was easy to find our bus and tour guide.
On the way into Edinburgh, our guide points out a couple of the schools which could very well been the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. The first one goes by as a blur, but I a quick glimpse of the second contender as we drove by this intersection.
The excursion we chose today is with Princess Cruise Line, and our main destination is Mary King’s Close and a walking tour of the Royal Mile.
A Close is a series of underground alleyways where people lived in the 160o’s. Costumed interpreters explained the way of life and the “Black Death.” I know Covid was bad, but I cannot imagine suffering through a pandemic in the 1600’s in these living conditions! No photos were allowed inside, though, and I was too cheap to pay for a souvenir photo.
After this tour, we take a guided walk through Edinburg’s famed “Royal Mile,” from Edinburgh Castle Esplanade to Holyrood Palace.
We are here during the August Festival. Crowds are crazy. The military tattoo (which I discuss in my post for Glasgow) happens every year in August and they also have lots of concerts, plays, etc., happening during this same time frame. Originally, the festival was for invited artists to perform. Some other groups showed up uninvited, and the “Fringe Festival” was born. Anyone who has written their own play, or wants to perform can locate a venue, print leaflets, and invite the masses to their productions. We are bombarded with costumed individuals who want to hand us a playbill.
Unfortunately, the Edinburgh garbage collection workers were on strike!
Holyrood Palace: It had started drizzling, so I am in my full UK “Rain, Rain, Go Away” gear, but I took a pretty decent picture through the iron gate bars.
Edinburg Castle: I captured this photo from the bus on our way back from Edinburgh; it looks like the castle could fall right off the hilltop. Glad to be back on the bus before the rain could drench us.
Tomorrow is a sea day. Time to rest up a little and pack a lot on our final sea day before our last port – Le Havre, France – and our excursion to Normandy Beaches.
Thanks for the great travel tips Shirley!