Kindred Travelers: Stones, Steps, and Stories

Kindred Travelers: Stones, Steps, and Stories

Day 3 – Edinburgh

Today was our first full day in Edinburgh, and we decided to start it with a bit of history and tradition. Sarah found that St. Giles’ Cathedral was nearby—Edinburgh’s oldest church and the birthplace of Presbyterianism. Standing inside, surrounded by centuries of stone and stained glass, we listened as the pastor preached from the very pulpit John Knox used back in 1559. History doesn’t get much more real than that.

After the service, we strolled past Edinburgh Castle, its weathered walls looming above the city, and made our way to meet a walking tour of Dean Village—the charming neighborhood we’re calling home for this leg of our journey. Our guide brought the history of the area to life, explaining how our old stone mill house fits into the story of this picturesque riverside community. Between the cobblestones, the flower-draped bridges, and the cozy old buildings, Dean Village feels like something from a storybook.

Of course, all that beauty comes with a price: lots of walking. By the time we returned to our lodging, our feet were protesting every step. We had been looking forward to a late-night “haunted Edinburgh” walking tour, but unfortunately, our guide came down with the flu and had to cancel. Bummer!

Instead, Sarah and I wandered into a local pub for dinner, and the disappointment quickly melted away over steaming plates of the most flavorful Indian curry. Rich, spicy, and absolutely perfect on a cool Edinburgh night—yum.

By the time we called it a night, my step counter read over 20,000 steps. Whew. Edinburgh, you are gorgeous… but you sure make us earn it.