Journey to Scotland: A Long-Awaited Adventure — Chapter 2
Edinburgh’s Leith District — A Blend of History and Modern Culture
Edinburgh’s Leith District is a vibrant and historic area situated to the north of the city center. Renowned for its rich maritime heritage, Leith has evolved over time from a working port into a lively hub of culture, dining, and entertainment. The district offers a unique blend of old and new, with traditional pubs standing alongside contemporary restaurants and cafés that line the scenic waterfront.
We started our day in Edinburgh with a laid-back morning at our favorite café, where we had a late breakfast and got the scoop from a server who used to be a journalist. After that, we strolled around some local shops and checked out an outdoor artisan market, where we resisted the urge to buy everything. We did make a few purchases, however.
Later, we met up with our tour group at the hotel. Our guide, originally from France, was like a walking encyclopedia with a caffeine addiction – super energetic and full of knowledge. The group was a fun mix of people from the USA, Canada, and New Zealand, so we had a mini–United Nations going on. Because my daughter and I share the same first name, Margaret, which has been passed down for generations, we were called Margaret the 4th (me) and Margaret the 5th (my daughter).
We ended the day with a group dinner at a local restaurant. We bravely tried haggis (which was surprisingly tasty!) and some other regular dishes.
Everyone’s pumped for tomorrow’s big tour of Edinburgh’s historic sites, including castles and palaces. Let’s hope we don’t get lost in the dungeons!
This is a picture of the Clock Cafe in Leith District of Edinburgh, where we dined two mornings!
Picture by Jim Valent. Jim and Lori Valent, from Pennsylvania, were in our touring group. Jim is an amateur photographer.
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We were offered Haggis at our very first group meal!
Haggis is similar to liver pudding with a few extra seasonings added. Robert Burns even wrote a poem called, “Ode to Haggis”