With the Olympics in full swing at home in London I decided it was the ideal time for a bit of escapism and set off to visit my sister up in Edinburgh, the dates coinciding nicely with the start of the annual Fringe Festival.
A short walk from the city centre and we arrived at her apartment, on the ground floor of a row of period terraced houses overlooking the park and Arthurs Seat.
I was so in love with the spiral staircase in the hallway that I braved going down to the spooky dark basement all alone just to get a picture.
The view from the living room wasn't bad either, nicer than your average front garden!
The Curious Couple from Coney were performing at The Voodoo Rooms, this was their first performance at this years Fringe.
Heather Holiday, a pretty little pin up girl/sword swallower and Donny Vomit,
a blockhead (who F.Y.I is a carnival or sideshow performer who hammers a nail or other implement into his nasal cavity via the nostril!) met in Coney Island and now tour the globe with their freakish mix of circus style cabaret.
a blockhead (who F.Y.I is a carnival or sideshow performer who hammers a nail or other implement into his nasal cavity via the nostril!) met in Coney Island and now tour the globe with their freakish mix of circus style cabaret.
Sword swallowing, knife throwing, machete juggling, and an array of gross out tricks, this show was not for the squeamish but entertaining never the less.
The Voodoo Rooms is a breath takingly beautiful venue which complimented the show perfectly!
It is situated just behind Princes Street.
The Voodoo Rooms is a breath takingly beautiful venue which complimented the show perfectly!
It is situated just behind Princes Street.
The bar alone is worth a visit just to gaze at the incredible ornate ceiling!!
The next day my brother arrived to join us.
We set off for a walk around Hollyrood Park
and wound up at Scotland's oldest pub
The Sheep Heid Inn which sits nestled in the middle of Duddingston village on the edge of the park by a loch.
The Sheep Heid Inn which sits nestled in the middle of Duddingston village on the edge of the park by a loch.
image credit :www.sheepheid.co.uk
It is though that the pub is over 600 years old and even has its own skittles alley should you wish to play!
Saturday was spent taking a walk down to Portobello beach while the sun was shining and then off out for dinner at Under the Stairs which I have mentioned previously on my blog ( It's so cute! )
Saturday was spent taking a walk down to Portobello beach while the sun was shining and then off out for dinner at Under the Stairs which I have mentioned previously on my blog ( It's so cute! )
A few new finds from this visit were . . .
Ecco Vino, a lovely little wine bar and restaurant, we popped in for a glass of wine pre dinner, it's pretty small inside but nice and cosy, the charcuterie boards looked very good.
images credit : www.eccovinoedinburgh.com
Bramble a hidden basement cocktail bar, it's a bit of a rabbit warren with candle lit cubby holes and chesterfield armchairs to lounge in, the cocktails were very well made, the only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the music - a bit of a hip hop overload.
Oink ok, if you are a meat eater then there is one place you simply must go while in Edinburgh!
(Vegetarians look away now)
Oink serves up delicious freshly carved hog roast rolls from the shop and also puts in an appearance at the weekly Farmers Market at Castle Terrace every Saturday 9am-2pm.
You can choose from the piglet (for the smaller eater) the oink (the classic) or the grunter (for the larger appetite)
I opted for the oink with stuffing and apple sauce and it was heavenly!
images credit:oinkhogroast.co.uk
Very nearly the highlight of my whole trip!
Apart from the moment I found my dream Parka!
Finally! After seasons of hunting for the perfect parka I found it.
Not the most ideal souvenir to pack into my hand luggage but I wasn't going to put this baby back- where there's a will there's a way, and it sucessfully made its little way back to London with its rather delighted new owner.
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