Location: Edinburgh, ScotlandFavourable Hogmanay Edinburgh reviews and a weak Pound Sterling was as good an excuse as any to have a 'stay-cation' and welcome in the new year in the UK. With maximum temperatures of 0 and negative 2 degrees, I packed the ski jacket and ignored my traveller's vanity, (although more appropriate footwear for the icy streets of Edinburgh will be noted down for next time as double-layering the socks in my trainers just didn't cut it).
Number of falls: 1
Number of prevented falls: Plenty
With a week based in and around the Scottish city, time was easily wiled away. After visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Holyrood Palace, I was surprisingly not 'castled-out' after the tours. The time spent at these historical attractions was balanced with a tourist-oriented tour at the Scotch Whisky Experience and a visit to the Camera Obscurer which on a clear day provided us with excellent views of the whole snow-covered city. Many of our nights were topped off with some free public entertainment on the Royal Mile for Hogmanay Celebrations including the Scotsman newspaper’s 31 December headline act, "Revellers evacuated after weather wreaks havoc at Royal Mile Hogmanay event and blows burning embers into crowd"!
The New Years Eve 'Street Party' that was well marketed was a mile of Prince's Street, the city’s main shopping street, sectioned off for ticket holders. We were only able to identify one stage with performers, although three were advertised. Perhaps the Dj's fingers had caught frostbite earlier in the day?
At the stroke of midnight on 31 December 2009, everyone cuddled together and watched Edinburgh Castle high above the city light up with fireworks... Short and sweet lasting only a few minutes still pretty nonetheless. Scottish men and Scottish-wannabes were out for the night, posing in their kilts for photos, flashing their bare butts and then God No! I saw my first Scottish haggis for the year (as did the rest of the street, and may I add it did not seem affected by the sub-zero temperatures!!)
After rolling, falling, skating, dancing and laughing through 2009, I look forward to more fun and happy times that the coming year has to offer us all. Happy 2010 everyone xo
Item 55: Edinburgh? CHECK!
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