One of the reasons I love Edinburgh was because of how the elements came together. Here, there is the heritage old town and the contemporary new town. And right in the city is a piece of highland landscape with the North Sea just around the corner.
We began the climb though a gentle path between two peaks, Arthur's Seat on the left and Salisbury's Crags on the right.
As we entered into the shadowed valley, the path became wilder and my heart raced. I have always wanted to be in the highland, or at least walk on a piece of the northern wilderness, notwithstanding next to a city.
As we crossed the park approaching Queen's Drive, with the sun moments away from the horizon, we were faced with a choice of either ascending Salisbury Crag or Arthur's Seat. I did not know better then, but was very glad to choose the higher and more challenging looking one.
Slowly, we made our way up the at times slippery steps, with Salisbury Crags watching our backs.
As we inched higher, we see further and the sun gets lower. The view keeps on getting better.
Dogs scampered up the cliff face and stamp their prints upon the muddy walkway. Even as it was getting darker, more people were still arriving and beginning their hike.
Here is the west, where the castle can be seen.
Here is the southward view, looking towards the distant mountains.
There was a few times where the pathway diverged and we were left with choices. I always stuck with going the way that leads upward.
And we reached a plateau filled with rabbit holes (not sure those are necessarily rabbit holes though, maybe some kind of rodents.) We stopped for a rest in the howling wind and the highest peak was only a short hike away.
On Arthur' Seat at last. Those who has made it up to the pinnacle shared their pride. A man with bicycle savored the view over the sea before pushing his bike down the gentler route.
The dusk wind was so strong there that my ears went numb and I could barely stand straight. Most of the people there seemed to be in pairs and two were indeed better than one. I resorted to hugging a rock just to stay standing.
But to be at the very top, the paralyzing wind was but a small price to pay.
As the shadow deepened, we made our careful descent through the rocks.
I took one more picture of Arthur's Seat and the Sea.
A day has ended,
Down we went,
Past the sunset and into the night.
The last ray of light faded as we headed towards the city. We saw a friendly man walking his giant Newfie disappearing into the hills as we go.
We began the climb though a gentle path between two peaks, Arthur's Seat on the left and Salisbury's Crags on the right.
As we entered into the shadowed valley, the path became wilder and my heart raced. I have always wanted to be in the highland, or at least walk on a piece of the northern wilderness, notwithstanding next to a city.
As we crossed the park approaching Queen's Drive, with the sun moments away from the horizon, we were faced with a choice of either ascending Salisbury Crag or Arthur's Seat. I did not know better then, but was very glad to choose the higher and more challenging looking one.
Slowly, we made our way up the at times slippery steps, with Salisbury Crags watching our backs.
As we inched higher, we see further and the sun gets lower. The view keeps on getting better.
Dogs scampered up the cliff face and stamp their prints upon the muddy walkway. Even as it was getting darker, more people were still arriving and beginning their hike.
Here is the west, where the castle can be seen.
Here is the southward view, looking towards the distant mountains.
There was a few times where the pathway diverged and we were left with choices. I always stuck with going the way that leads upward.
And we reached a plateau filled with rabbit holes (not sure those are necessarily rabbit holes though, maybe some kind of rodents.) We stopped for a rest in the howling wind and the highest peak was only a short hike away.
On Arthur' Seat at last. Those who has made it up to the pinnacle shared their pride. A man with bicycle savored the view over the sea before pushing his bike down the gentler route.
The dusk wind was so strong there that my ears went numb and I could barely stand straight. Most of the people there seemed to be in pairs and two were indeed better than one. I resorted to hugging a rock just to stay standing.
But to be at the very top, the paralyzing wind was but a small price to pay.
As the shadow deepened, we made our careful descent through the rocks.
I took one more picture of Arthur's Seat and the Sea.
A day has ended,
Down we went,
Past the sunset and into the night.
The last ray of light faded as we headed towards the city. We saw a friendly man walking his giant Newfie disappearing into the hills as we go.
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