Days 6-8: Edinburgh
Our final location for the Heart of Scotland tour was the incredible, historic city of Edinburgh.
Our hotel was RIGHT underneath the famous Edinburgh Castle!
This little road is said to have inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Magical!
Edinburgh Castle plus a fun little Rapunzel turret in the foreground
Hearing from Edinburgh Expert, Shauna
Edinburgh Highlights
Edinburgh Castle
I knew a few facts about Edinburgh Castle before we arrived, but experiencing it in person was far more striking than I expected. Perched on an extinct volcano, it overlooks the city like something from a storybook. Every turn revealed another layer of Scotland’s history — rooms, regalia, and stories that made the centuries feel tangible rather than distant.
Standing in Edinburgh Castle, I felt how deeply the past shapes the present — and how intentional travel allows you to feel that connection instead of simply observing it.
Discovering "closes"
Palace of Holyroodhouse
We did a walking tour of Edinburgh that included lots of fun exploration of little "closes" - these semi-hidden hallways/alleys between buildings that sometimes lead to really cool little areas. And sometimes they lead to nothing. It's a mystery until you explore it!
The official residence of the King in Scotland. Also, Mary Queen of Scots lived there at one point and you can even go into her apartment chambers and see the bloodstains on the floor where her secretary was killed by her husband! Scandal!
Important Side Quest of #MomDotInScot
Following the Mariners 2025 Postseason Journey (in the Middle of the Night)
Nicole (aka Dot) is a devoted Seattle Mariners fan, and during our trip, the Mariners were in the playoffs. Because we were on the other side of the globe, the games aired in the middle of the night — long after our tour activities had ended.
For those unfamiliar, the Mariners are the only Major League Baseball team that has never made it to the World Series. So yes, the stakes felt high.
Waking up at 2 a.m. to check scores (or quietly watch innings on my phone) was a little exhausting — but completely worth it when the Mariners won the ALDS while I was in Scotland. Somehow, baseball in the middle of the night became part of our Scotland story.
Once they had an early afternoon game Pacific Standard Time, so we got to watch part of the game before going to bed on this giant TV. Just kidding, that is my phone.
Who needs sleep? Go Mariners!
Time really does fly when you’re having fun. Eight days passed in what felt like a breath. On our final day in Scotland, we wandered the Royal Mile — the historic stretch of shops leading up to Edinburgh Castle — and ducked into local pubs. We especially loved the Beehive Inn, where Robert Burns once drank and which has been welcoming patrons since the mid-1800s.
But what I will remember most from that day (and from the entire trip) is how much my mom and I laughed. So many people asked me beforehand what it would be like to travel with my mom, sometimes with a hint of skepticism. I didn’t fully understand that question until I got home and realized how fortunate I am.
My mom isn’t just someone I love; she is someone I genuinely enjoy. She is funny, thoughtful, curious, and endlessly good company. Traveling together didn’t feel stressful or complicated. It felt easy. It felt joyful. It felt like a gift — time chosen and protected in the midst of busy lives. And I’m so grateful we said yes to it.
Last Day in Scotland
On our last night, we gathered for a special dinner to celebrate the week we’d shared. One of our tour group members came up with a brilliant idea to thank our guide, Alasdair. All week long, he had shared his love of the Scottish poet Robert Burns — reciting poetry from memory and weaving in stories and fun facts about Burns.
In the days leading up to dinner, Verna quietly organized us. Would we sing the first verse of Auld Lang Syne — written by Burns — as a surprise thank you?
When the moment came during dinner, we all stood, lifted our glasses, and sang - not perfectly, not in tune, but wholeheartedly.
It was a small gesture, but it felt so fitting — a nod to Scottish tradition and a sincere thank you to the guide who had shaped our experience so joyfully.