Scotland, Day One: Edinburgh Before the Group

I arrived in Edinburgh early this morning, around 8am, and was met by Kenneth the Chauffeur, who drove me and another couple to our hotel.

The Bonham is a beautiful old building, all sandstone and that deep black-and-gold doorway.

The entrance to the Bonham

My room, with a bay window looking out over the rooftops

The little Library where the group will gather later

I had some time to kill, so I walked over to the Botanic Gardens and had a lovely brunch at a restaurant nearby. A lovely day already.

Brunch and a coffee with a heart in the foam

The West Gate at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

A tree-lined path on the way in

A quiet bench under a big tree along the red gravel path

A wooden gazebo tucked into the green

The path opening up past a tall carved sculpture

Inverleith House across the lawn

We start as a group at noon, so I'll write a separate post for that. Until then, enjoy these photos of the city and the gardens. Right now my main job is to try and stay awake. I did NOT sleep much on the flight (I was hoping to score an upgrade to business class, but alas, the whole flight was sold out).

Church spires and the hills beyond the rooftops

Edinburgh Castle, framed through the trees

My room here is lovely, as is the little "Library" where the group will gather later.

So... a VERY short rest and a shower, and then I'm heading out to Arthur's Seat and the Royal Mile, or whatever that is.