Day One: Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat, and the Closes off the Royal Mile

Once everyone arrived at the hotel (the Bonham is lovely) we met up with the rest of the group. Seven of us in total, plus two guides, Gordon and Paul, and a photographer from National Geographic.

A welcome glass of prosecco and a trio of canapes at the Bonham

Gordon and Paul spreading out the map in the hotel lounge

We jumped in some taxis over to Holyrood Park and hiked up Arthur's Seat. Gorgeous views. Gordon is a fount of historical and geological knowledge, so it was cool to stop every so often and hear him wax on a bit about each neat thing we saw. I learned what a gorse bush was (it's everywhere), and we spotted a distinctive looking pheasant on the way up.

Gordon talking us through the geology at the base of Arthur's Seat

A distinctive looking pheasant in the long grass

A tall pink foxglove growing among the gorse

The rocky peak of Arthur's Seat from the trail below

The climb itself was a steady pull up the rock, with the group spreading out and regrouping as we went. Every time we paused, the city opened up a little more behind us.

Catching my breath on the way up, the green slope of Arthur's Seat behind me

The group gathered on the ridge with Gordon mid-story

Climbing the stone path toward the summit

A bit higher now, the city and the water opening up behind me

Nearing the summit with the Firth of Forth stretching out behind

The lone surviving wall of St Anthony's Chapel on the hillside

From the top you can see the whole thing laid out. The city in one direction, the Forth bridges and the water in another.

Looking out over the whole of Edinburgh from the rocks at the top

The view toward the Forth bridges, hazy in the distance

Edinburgh spread out below, the castle just visible

Once we came back down, we headed up the Royal Mile. It became quite crowded, but the people were part of the attraction there for sure.

The ornate gates at the foot of the Royal Mile near Holyrood

The modern lines of the Scottish Parliament building

The Adam Smith statue in front of St Giles Cathedral

A group dressed as witches gathered on the Royal Mile

Edinburgh Castle on its rock above the city

A New Town terrace running toward a cathedral spire

I really loved the little Closes that are just off the beaten path a little bit. It can be super crowded on the main street, but very quiet and serene only steps away.

A quiet, manicured garden tucked into a close just off the Royal Mile

We were lucky to avoid rain most of the day, with about 19 to 20 degrees and a refreshing breeze.

We regrouped at the hotel for a briefing on what the entire trip would entail, along with a rather intimate group dinner. Jet lag was still feeling pretty real, so by 9 or 9:30 I was ready for bed.

Tomorrow we are off to Loch Lomond.