Originally Posted by Athena53
Sounds wonderful- that's going on our list of places to stop! We're part of the group that's aware that there's a UK outside of London- we were in the Orkneys last year and loved it.
My husband informed me that Bushmill's is Irish. Oops. I would have remembered that if I hadn't posted before my first cup of coffee in the morning. I will NOT ask for Bushmill's at Royal Mile Whiskies!
The whisky shop on the royal mile is indeed fantastic. Can't beat the selection there. Always used to pick up Pimms and raspberry wine there in the summertime, then move along to the meadows to watch a bit of cricket (or the lady boys of bangkok during festival time...they set up a tent just down from my flat...festival time is a very odd time to be in EDI). Other can't miss locales are Plaisir Du Chocolate (perhaps the best chocolatier anywhere) further down the royal mile from the whisky shop -- opposite side of SouthBridge towards Holyrood Palace. If you liked the DaVinci Code (or preferably a decent novel like Focault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco...basically any dubious writings dealing with Templar lore)...then Roslin Chapel is a short drive from EDI. For upscale pubs I recommend either Beluga on Chambers Street (in old town) or Opium Lounge on George Street (new town). Both are very euro-trendy with excellent drinks menu and bar staff. Calton hill is good for photos (and people-watching silly German and Japanese tourists who arrive by the coach-load). Sorry to prattle on, but am waxing nostalgic with my impending trip there this weekend. Hope your trip there is fantastic.
Also, as far as classic pub atmospheres go, it's hard to beat the Admiral's Arms, just down from the castle on the royal mile. It has a green facade and saloon type doors. One of the best places in EDI to try a true, warm cask ale -- Straight from a manual, pull-operated spigot, with whorled carpets and upholstery that have likely endured since the late 50's.