Cork  woman Sasha de Buyl guides me through the cobbled, windy streets of Edinburgh. We wander up to the castle, with its panoramic views of the city.  We marvel at the grandeur of the Royal Mile and the serenity of Princes Street Gardens. 

Sasha takes me to the busy bustling coastal area of Leith and on to Wardie Bay where we watch herons and oystercatchers dive.    We wander through beautiful Stockport, with its quirky bookshops, cafes and restaurants.  We walk along the water out to the National Gallery of Modern Art and admire the architecture on the way.

We explore the old town and stop for a gelato in the Grassmarket area.  We climb up to Arthur’s Seat, the hill fort in Holyrood Park and enjoy its tranquil surroundings.     We chat about the city’s array of bookshops from the Portobello to the Golden Hare in Stockbridge.  We have a beer in the Dreadnought pub in Newhaven and visit a famous all-night bakery for some treats.

Sasha shares her choice of books, films and music that capture the mood of Edinburgh and gives me plenty of hints and tips on what to see and do.  She also encourages me to take a trip up to the low highlands to experience Stirlingshire with its woodland and rivers.

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Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.