Great sleep in the massive bed, had a bit of a lie in and agreed to go over to the pub we had left last night for breakfast – it was shut, on a Saturday at 9:30, so we luckily found a nice alternative called the Edinburgh Larder just across the road, which presented us with wonderful baps, tea and service. It was so good we booked for Sunday.
After filling our faces, we set off down the Royal Mile to Holyrood. Lots of shops with the name Royal on the way, even the old Royal pound shoppe – we also passed on “Oink” which had a whole pig in the window, freshly cooked and glistening – mine later I thought.
Down to Holyrood, and as we closed in I realised that it wasn’t going to look like Stormont, because that is Stormont and not Holyrood. It was a big building though. The main reason for coming down here is that Edinburgh had a big hill in the middle of it, and we wanted to climb it. So we did. It was cold and slippery and we had to scramble up it – luckily we got to the top without dying, and then got down again without dying also. I think the word is bracing….
Into a little pub, that had crap lager, and then off into Edinburgh proper. But first a quick stop off to the “Oink” – for a major hog bap – nice…
We had a couple of things to do, as written by a previous tourist, and first stop was the Royal Circle Bar – this was great. Baring in mind it was probably about midday by now, it wasn’t too surprising to see it was full, but we immediately got a “sharing table”, and drinks came quite quick at the bar. After a little drinkies, a magical lady appeared to take our food orders, and our next lot of drinks – now that is fan-bloody-taskic. Good place – just too full for my tastes – but the food and drinks went down pretty well, and given its “reputation” as a place to go, the prices were great. Good find.
Off down Rose Street next, which is a street, with no roses on it, just shops, and people, and coldness. The ladies got lost in Primark and we have a crafty half and listened to a street band who were good, then a couple of lads turned up and “jammed” with the street guys – it was cool..
Down to the end of the Rose Street and my mission was to find the “wax bar” which I had visited many years ago, when I was not so grey, not so old and not so petty. I couldn’t find it, so we based ourselves in the Cellar Bar place, and I had a little hunt. The hunt was unsuccessful. After a couple of beers it was decided to eat in Hard Rock..
A bit of a walk, and there we were, and another ten thousand people. Again we were very lucky and managed to secure a table by the window for our hour and a half wait for a table – to be hoinest it was a bit early, so this wait was no issue, it was just like being in a pub, but a pub where I was sitting under Brain Johnstons jump suit! Bit more of the game that Dawns never looses, and our little table buzzer buzzed and we went though for grub. More cocktails for the ladies, another Tortoise for me, and we dived into hot wings with the Heavy Metal sauce – man o man – that was ace. Then I had the mixed grill sort of thing with brisket, chicken and ribs – it was nice, but there is so much BBQ sauce – waaaaaay too much for me. The chicken was ace though.
Once finished we walked though the throngs in the street and obligatory Christmas Market place, and then we were back to the hotel. D+P went upstairs and we went to see what we could find. On the way we asked a nice boy where to go, I dropped a bollock by mistaking Grayfriers Bobby with a Greyhound, but he still pointed us at something – as he left, he went 5 yards and shouted back “Grayfriers Bobby – You Prick”. Sounded pretty cool with that Scottish twang.
Anyway – we went to stag do hell in Grassmarket, and went to the Wee Bar, which was teeny tiny, and didn’t actually have a toilet. Then back to the hotel for a final one – I was tired, Sian booked a table for us in the Rose next week, and we went to bed.
Circle Bar – 8/10
Hard Rock – 6/10
Grassmarket nights – 2/10