Hi everyone!

So, y’all… let’s start with the good news.

I got the Sir Thomas Dixon Travel Scholarship (£600 - YAY!) and booked myself a trip to Seville, Spain. But before that? There is the visa process. And for Spain, that meant going through BLS Spain, pretty straightforward actually, no agencies needed. Pro tip: clear your cache often while opening and closing the tabs multiple times if you’re like me. You can totally handle it yourself though!

Now here’s where things get tricky. The visa processing centre? It’s in Edinburgh. And me, in my “let’s be efficient” mode, thought a single-day return ticket was a great idea.

Spoiler: Worst Mistake EVER! 

Landing in Edinburgh

My flight lands at around 7:15am. Step out and boom! Tram station right there. Students under 22 in Scotland? You lucky ones travel for free. The rest of us...not so much. My advice: get the Adult Network DAY cap pass for £12.50. It’s totally worth it and covers both trams and Lothian buses. 

The visa centre was at The Shore; I reached it in 25 minutes or so, and the whole process was wrapped up in less than 20 mins. Suddenly it was 9am...and I had until 4pm before my return flight back to Belfast. Time to roam.

First, I have to say it: I love Edinburgh’s tram system. The routes are so clear, the stops are so well-placed. Take one trip and you’ll already be falling for the city. From Haymarket to Princes Street to The Shore, every stop is postcard-worthy. My gallery was full and so was my heart!

The Shore

If you’ve got time, stay here longer. Gorgeous waterfront views, small bridges, colourful buildings that feel like a Scottish version of Whitehead promenade in Carrickfergus. Tucked in the streets are some of the best cafes. The aesthetics are lovely, the prices are much kinder than in the city centre, and you won’t find as many big chain restaurants except on the main roads. You might also want to check out the Ocean terminal Shopping centre as it may appeal to you.

St. Andrew’s Square to Scott Monument

After The Shore, I headed to St. Andrew’s Square, wandered around Melville Monument, and found myself at the iconic Scott Monument; Gothic revival perfection. Tip: don’t rush and miss the Paddington Bench nearby in St. Andrew’s Square (which I certainly did miss). Walk down on the left side past the gates for a much better palace view near the Scott Monument.

Old Town? It’s Everything. “She's an icon, she's a legend, and she is the moment”. Cathedral Road, Royal Mile, Victoria and Candle Street: pure magic. I even got a caricature of myself done by an artist (yes, I got their photo, no, I didn’t get their name. Very on-brand for me).

Cathedral and Quiet Corners

Inside the St. Giles cathedral, there’s an organ, a smaller chapel, and history everywhere. When it gets too touristy outside, I recommend ducking into St. Columba’s church, down the road, for a peaceful moment.

If you cross the road from the Vennel Steps Viewpoint, walk down that road, you can see the Grassmarket, followed by the St. Cuthbert’s Church (fun fact: Agatha Christie got married here to Max Mallowan), the famous cemetery for the Potter name inspiration, Greyfriar’s Kirkyard and from here you can go to the Ross Fountain in Princes Street Garden. And that’s my favourite road with the best palace viewpoints as it was “Legen....wait for it....Dary......”.

I didn’t get a chance to check out the Secret terrace palace view from the National Museum of Scotland, but I hope you do.

Things I Skipped (But You Shouldn’t If You’ve Got Time)

The Harry Potter free walking tour is a must. Skip the whisky tastings, horror walks, or Johnny Walker experiences if you’ve only got a day; there’s just too much else to see.

Also, if you can:

• The Meadows
• Calton Hill/Arthur’s Seat
• Swanston Farm
• Military Tattoo venue
• Milk Market

A Little Personal Touch

Somewhere in between sightseeing, I visited a friend from my Bachelor’s back in India, such a happy reunion. Then I wandered past the oldest University of Edinburgh building (Old College, the Law School: STUNNING) before making my way back to Princes Street for my tram back to the airport.

How to Truly Experience Edinburgh

Take trams. Take the Lothian buses. But mostly? Walk. Not guided tours; just you, and Google Maps not even your airpods because you always have a soundtrack to the main character life, you’d lead that day with Bagpipes. Always somewhere in the air. You turn a corner and there’s a kilt. And in that moment, you know you’re in Scotland.

Detour whenever something catches your eye. Stop at a place that isn’t even on the “must-see” list. That’s where the magic happens.

Save your Google Maps route when you get home. It’s so wholesome to look back a few days later and retrace your steps, my kind of souvenir!

Final Verdict

They say you leave a piece of your heart in every place you visit. Edinburgh didn’t just take a piece. It stole all of me, ruthlessly and mercilessly. And I’m so glad it did.

If you can, don’t do it as a rushed day trip like I did. Take 15 days off or move to Scotland temporarily, pretty please. Let the city keep stealing bits of you, over and over again.

Until next time! Remember that in Edinburgh, even a “five-minute walk” can secretly mean a surprise round of hill climbing and stair conquering in the closes and wynds. So, lace up those shoes as every street’s a little adventure in mountaineering chic! (I was breathless all the time, oh yeah, definitely only by the beauty of it all).

Signing off – Florence Diana Charles, your tram enthusiast, and accidental urban hiker in Scotland’s capital!

Catch you in my next blog! 

Find out more

Scholarship opportunities at Queen's

Sir Thomas Dixon Travel Scholarship

BLOG: A Snapshot of My Recent Travels from Belfast

Florence Diana Charles MSc Clinical Health Psychology | Postgraduate Student | India Hi, I am Florence Diana Charles. I’m an interdisciplinary enthusiast who thrives in the in-between; where ideas blur and psychology just makes sense as it blends. I care about meaning: in people, in patterns, in how we think, feel, and grow. I’m endlessly curious, sometimes stubborn, and always trying, even on my busiest days. I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m here to keep learning, keep questioning, and keep showing up. Hope to see you around in my blogs!