Scotland

Before I went to Scotland, I had tried to find out if hiking Arthur’s Seat would be safe to do as solo female traveler. All of the photos I could find online made it look like it was so isolated. Well, silly me. Not only is the city of Edinburgh safe, but hiking Arthur’s Seat is also safe for a solo female traveler! I mean, really, why did I worry so much?

How to Get There

First, Arthur’s Seat is really easy to find. Not only can it be seen from almost everywhere in Edinburgh, but it’s not far away from the city either. If you walk to the bottom of the Royal Mile (to Holyrood Palace), the beginning of the hike is only a short 2-5 minute walk away.

For my 2 days in Edinburgh, I hadn’t planned to hike Arthur’s Seat initially (I know, crazy right?!). But, while I was walking down the Royal Mile and reached Holyrood Palace, there it was! So how could I deny fate?

Suggested Reading: If you plan to spend more than 2 days in Edinburgh, here is an itinerary for what to do for 3 days!

What to Expect hiking Arthur’s Seat

The path is well-marked, but it does get quite rocky closer to the top so watch your footing! There’s a main path that loops around, but also a lot of little trails off to the side that people took as short cuts.

It will take about an hour to reach the top. And it’s alllll up-hill so prepare to sweat!

The path is busy too. Don’t worry about being alone and vulnerable, because the chance that no one else in Edinburgh decided to hike up Arthur’s Seat is slim to none. So many people were hiking alone too!

The views are stunning the entire way up. On a clear day you get 360 degree views of Edinburgh. There’s rolling grassy hills everywhere, so take your time exploring the top once you get there.

Tips

• Bring snacks and water. Even though I hadn’t planned to hike Arthur’s Seat, I was already prepared since I had been walking around Edinburgh earlier that day. I had a donut, a banana and a bottle of water just by accident so luckily I was able to have a snack at the top.
• Wear sunscreen. There is little shade, so I was happy to have some on hand!
• Take your time. Take your time climbing up AND when you get to the top. At the top, and you manage to find a place to sit among everyone else who hiked that day, have a seat and just enjoy the view! It’s amazing.

And there you have it! My experience hiking Arthur’s Seat as a solo female traveler, and why it’s such a fun – and safe! – activity to do while visiting Edinburgh, Scotland. Have you hiked Arthur’s Seat before, or are planning to? Let me know in the comments below!

Visiting Scotland feels like you are being transported into a storybook. A Harry Potter book, specifically. Complete with rolling hills, castles and medieval buildings. Walking through the streets, it’s easy to understand how this city is so inspiring! Below is an itinerary for 2 days in Edinburgh as a solo female traveler.

Where to Stay for 2 days in Edinburgh

During my 2 days in Edinburgh, I stayed at the Safestay Edinburgh Hostel. This was on a side street off of the Royal Mile, so it was a perfect location for sightseeing! As a solo female traveler, I also felt very safe there.

Suggested Reading: A 7 day itinerary for Scotland and Ireland

How to get to and from the Airport in Edinburgh

It is very easy to get to and from the airport in Edinburgh. There is an Airlink 100 bus that frequently runs to and from the airport with multiple drop off points in Edinburgh. Tickets can be purchased in advance, at the bus stop, or from the driver. I bought mine in advance.

I got dropped off at the Train Station (the last stop on the route), which was only a 10 minute walk away from my hostel.

Tips for 2 days in Edinburgh

Get ready for hills!

Edinburgh has lots and lots of hills, and stairs. And more hills, and more stairs. It is a small, walk-able city that is best explored on foot – and you will get super fit doing it too!

Go on a walking tour.

When you arrive, the best thing to do first is to go on a walking tour! I love going on a walking tours, because it gives me a good introduction to the city. I get lost very easily, so a walking tour helps reduce that risk! I arrived in Edinburgh late in the afternoon, so I took an evening walking tour the same day I arrived.

There are lots of other walking tours available at all times of the day, and for any preference. If you walk along the Royal Mile, you will see the guides holding umbrellas. They will offer various walking tours, so you can pick and choose.

The walking tour I chose was a Harry Potter one (of course!). The walking tour started at 5pm, and was 1.5 hours long. We went to Greyfriars Kirkyard, walked by the Elephant house (where JK Rowling wrote the majority of the first Harry Potter book!), saw Victoria Street (aka: Diagon Alley), and a few other Harry Potter related locations.

Day 1 in Edinburgh

Morning

So I will admit, in the morning I walked to all of the Harry Potter locations AGAIN! It was much more quiet in the morning, and so lovely to take my time at each spot. Since I had gone there the day before, I already knew where to go!

Elephant House

This is where JK Rowling wrote the majority of the first Harry Potter book, so for any fans this is a must! I had the best latte of my life there and an incredible Victorian Sponge cake.

Go early in the morning to beat the rush. I arrived at 9:30am. As I was sitting there, a line quickly start to form at around 10am.

Also, make sure to see the bathrooms while you are there! People visiting the cafe have completely covered the walls with their names, quotes, and drawings about Harry Potter. I made sure to write something on the wall while I was there too 🙂

Edinburgh Castle

At the top of the Royal Mile is Edinburgh Castle. This is a very busy place, so go early in the day to avoid the crowds. I purchased an audio guide and spent 2 hours there. It was a very interesting place – I saw the crown jewels, where prisoners were kept, the royal rooms and so much more.

Lunch

Since it was a Sunday, I decided that to have a Sunday Roast. I went to Greyfriar’s Bobby Bar. This is near the Elephant house, and it’s very easy to find. The atmosphere is very nice in there – and the Sunday Roast was delicious!

To order food, you need to first take a table number sign from the bar. Then, find a table and claim it as yours, and put your table number sign on it. After that, you can then go up to the bar and order your food. They won’t let you order without first claiming a table.

As a solo traveler, I didn’t want to leave anything valuable unattended at the table while I ordered, so I used my jacket to claim a table. Everyone else had their partner sit at the table and wait while the other person ordered.

Afternoon

Princes Street Gardens

In the afternoon, I wandered though Princes Street Gardens and along Princes Street (which is right next to the Gardens). The Gardens aren’t too large, and it’s quite a scenic and peaceful walk. Princes Street is quite busy, and has lots of places to go shopping!

Hop on Hop off Bus Tour

Edinburgh is a very walkable city. But after awhile, my legs and feet were feeling a bit tired from all of the hills in Edinburgh (seriously, there’s so many hills and steps in Edinburgh!). So I spontaneously decided to buy a 24 hour Hop-on-Hop-off ticket. You can buy them from one of the workers at the first stop on the tour, which is right by Waverley Train Station.

The bus tour did a 1 hour loop around Edinburgh and stopped at all of the major sights. There was a guide on board who did live commentary while we drove around. Was is really touristy? yes…but it was quite enjoyable to listen to the commentary, see the city in a relaxed way, and save my feet!

Calton Hill

I had planned to go to Calton Hill during my 2 days in Edinburgh. Since one of the stops for the Hop-on-Hop-off tour is at the bottom of Calton Hill, it made the decision to buy a pass that much easier!

There are a few walking paths to get to the top, and there are incredible views of Edinburgh. There are lots of monuments and statues, information rooms, a restaurant, and a viewpoint tower at the top. The paths are groomed, and it’s not a long way up. Don’t worry about going there as a solo female traveler – it’s busy, and very safe!

Day 2 in Edinburgh

Morning

Deans Village & Scenic Walk around Edinburgh

I spent the entire morning going on a scenic walk around Deans Village and other photogenic areas. Read where I went here.

Lunch

Along my scenic walk, I had afternoon tea at Eteaket. This afternoon tea was so lovely. There were so many teas to choose from, and the afternoon tea was so filling! It was eclectic and cozy atmosphere with a relaxed vibe.

Afternoon

Walk Down the Royal Mile

My scenic walk ended near the top of the Royal Mile, so I spent the afternoon walking from one end to the other! At the top is Edinburgh Castle, and at the bottom is Holyrood Palace. In the middle there are lots of touristy shops to look around, and the Childhood Museum and Edinburgh Museum. Both are free admission.

I highly recommend going into at least the Edinburgh Museum. It offers a very interesting history about what life was like in Edinburgh and how they used to live. I did the Real Mary’s Close Underground tour of Edinburgh later in the day, and since I had gone to the Edinburgh Museum already, it gave me a better understanding and appreciation.

Arthur’s Seat

At this point, my feet were pretty sore. But, I had reached the end of the Royal Mile and the path to get to Arthur’s Seat is right next to Holyrood Palace! How could I resist?! Also, my feet didn’t hurt hiking up Arthur’s Seat (probably because it was on a grassy surface, and not cobblestones and concrete).

Hiking up Arthur’s Seat was fantastic, and I would highly recommend doing it if you have 2 days in Edinburgh! Read about my experience hiking up Arthur’s Seat.

Evening

In the evening, I went on the Real Mary’s Kings Close Underground Tour. During this tour, you go underground and see how they used to live. It’s a little bit eerie to be so far underground and seeing what their conditions were like 300 years old. It was one of my favourite activities!

This tour was 1 hour long with a guide. You need to book in advance and pick a time slot. I went at 6:30pm, and had plenty of time to eat at a restaurant along the Royal Mile beforehand, and rest a bit at my hostel (which was only a 5 minute walk away).

Two days in Edinburgh I personally feel was a good amount of time to see what I had wanted to see, with the opportunity to add in a few other activities spontaneously. Of course, the more time in ANY new place – the better!

After I had spent two days in Edinburgh I went on a group tour to the Isle of Skye to ride the Jacobite Steam Train (aka the Hogwarts Express!). Going to the Isle of Skye while you are in Scotland is highly recommended! Whether it is with a group tour, or you explore Scotland for two days by car.

Have you been to Edinburgh, Scotland before? Let me know in the comments below what would you recommend to do during 2 days in Edinburgh.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, riding the Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland (also known as the Hogwart’s Express) is such an amazing experience! It is considered one of the top 10 train rides in the world. Even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan, it is worth it. It is a gorgeous – and magical – train ride.

How to Ride the Train

I love Harry Potter, so this was a bucket list experience. There are two options for experiencing the train: either by riding the train, or going to the Viaduct and watching the train pass by. I decided to ride the train because it was easier than trying to drive there by myself.

The company I decided to book with was Highland Explorers. They were the only group that I could find that offered a 2 day tour with a Jacobite Steam Train ride

If you want to watch the train pass over the Viaduct, there are other tours that will take you to see the train pass by. Unfortunately I could only find tours that would offer this during a 3 day trip, and I only had 2 days to spare! I also spent some time in Edinburgh – read about what to do here.

Riding the Jacobite Steam Train with a Guided Tour Group

Riding the train with a tour group was one of my favourite activities that I did during Scotland! The guide was hilarious, I met other travelers, and we had seats at the VERY back of the train (this is where the best seats are on the train)! We also got to explore the Scottish Highlands, which is some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.

What I liked about traveling with a group was that I had other people’s company to enjoy while we traveled through beautiful scenery. We had traveled as a group the day before, so we had already gotten to know each other. It felt like going on a train ride with family!

Even if you go completely alone or are shy, don’t worry. You can just admire the scenery. Honestly, half the time I wasn’t even in my seat!

What to expect during the train ride

Before you board the train, you will have time to get to the front to take pictures of the train. Our guide took pictures for us, and everyone was polite and let everyone else take turns taking pictures.

The train has different classes and sections to sit in. We sat in normal coach, so I can’t comment on what the experience in first class is like. I personally didn’t feel like I missed out, and had a fabulous time. In our section, there was a trolley that came around where we could buy drinks and snacks.

The train ride is 2 hours one way, and will take you to a little seaside town called Mallaig. You will have 2 hours there, which gives you enough time to eat and wander around. More on Mallaig later on in the post! Then, you take the exact same 2 hour route back.

Best place to sit while riding on the Jacobite Steam Train

Our tour group had seats at the very back of the train, which is the best place to be! On the way back from Mallaig, they move the engine from the front of the train to the back. So on your way back from Mallaig, you will suddenly be sitting in the front! It was fun to get both experiences.

The best place to sit while traveling to Mallaig is on the left hand side. On your way back from Mallaig, the best place to sit is on the right hand side.

If you don’t have a seat on the best side, don’t worry! Our group leader told us in advance to switch sides on our way back from Mallaig so that we could experience both sides of the train. There is also a window at the back of the carriage (near the toilets) that open all of the way, so you can look out of the window there too (which is what I did)!

If you don’t have a good seat on the train

If you don’t have prime seating, don’t worry! There is a spot at back of the carriage (near the toilet), where you can open the window all the way and stick your head out. This was my favourite place to be for the majority of the train ride!! If you go there early enough, you will have a chance to get your photo of the Viaduct there.

I probably don’t need to tell you this, but just in case: stick your head out of the window WHEN IT’S SAFE! Don’t stick your head out the window when there are trees or rocks around because you could get seriously hurt. Only do it when there is wide open scenery and nothing will hit you.

Crossing the Viaduct

The moment we have all been waiting for – what it is like riding the Jacobite Steam Train when you cross the Viaduct? Honestly, it’s chaos. It’s like the Hunger Games. Ok, so I’m exaggerating a little bit – but it certainly gets more hectic compared to the rest of the ride!

Before you get to the viaduct, an announcement will be made to let you know the Viaduct is coming up.

The first time we went over the Viaduct

On our way to Mallaig, I had a seat on the left hand side. Prime viewing location! However, the windows that you sit in front of only have a tiny little section that will actually open. You can look out your window and see the Viaduct, but the windows are a bit smudgy and not the best for taking pictures.

How did I get my photo?

For some reason, even though I had a seat on the left hand side, I went to the back of the carriage to the window that opened all the way. Maybe I did this because it was my favourite place to look at the scenery? Who knows!

Our guide said that the train would slow down so we could have turns getting a photo. There was someone already standing there (from our group) and she would NOT move out of the way and let others have a turn. There were quite a lot of people around her waiting for a turn. I kind of had to be a bit rude and stick my camera out in front of her and quickly take a couple of shots. Then I moved out of the way to let others have a turn.

The train does slow down, but the moment went by so fast that I didn’t really get the time to truly appreciate it.

Learn from my mistake

If I could go back in time, I would have stayed in my seat to get a picture from that teeny tiny window that opened. I had a prime viewing seat, so I could have stood up and taken the picture easily. Then, I could have sat down and admired the view from my somewhat smudgy window (but with an unobstructed view!).

I still got the photo, but learn from my mistake: if you have a window on the best side of the train, don’t leave it while you’re crossing the Viaduct!

What to do if you don’t get that iconic Viaduct photo

If you aren’t in a good seat, then the best place to go is at the window that goes all the way down (near the toilets). That’s where I went. BUT if you don’t get to that window early, you won’t be able to see out of it because it will get crowded!

But don’t worry! If you didn’t get a photo of the Viaduct on the way to Mallaig, you will have another chance on the way back! On the way back, the ideal side to be sitting on for pictures of the Viaduct is on the right hand side.

On our way back from Mallaig, our group switched sides on the train so I was sitting on the left hand side on the way back. This was ok with me, since I had gotten my prized photo already.

Unfortunately, a few people did not get a photo on the way to Mallaig, so I decided to hang back and let others try and get a photo.

If you don’t get your photo at all, there are other bridges that the train goes over which are photogenic as well. It’s also not as hectic either, so you will have plenty of opportunities to take lots of lovely photos out of the window.

Also, I read that a lot of people will walk to the back of the train during the train ride. This isn’t entirely accurate because you can’t walk the entire length of the train during your journey. I tried to do this to find an empty window, but I was only able to walk through a couple of carriages before I came across a locked door.

What to do during the 2 Hour Break in Mallaig

Mallaig is a small seaside village, which is quite charming to walk around. Mallaig is quite small so it is easy to walk around, eat and window shop within the 2 hours.

The best thing to do when you first arrive is to find somewhere to eat. Our guide recommended we eat at The Chalachain Inn for the fastest service. It was good food, and not very busy.

After food, there is a Harry Potter shop worth checking out. It gets busy, but we were finished eating before most people so the shop was quite empty!

Is the Riding the Jacobite Steam Train Worth it?

The million dollar question is if riding the Jacobite Steam Train is worth it. That is up to you to decide! There were lots of people in our group who weren’t Harry Potter fans that enjoyed the train ride. I mean, it is one of the top 10 train rides in the world. It’s very scenic and a great way to see the countryside. I really enjoyed myself.

If you are going on the train solely for the Viaduct, then it might not be worth it. Going over the Viaduct is a very small part of the train ride. It can be hard to get that photo!

Another option is seeing the train cross the Viaduct. I personally think it would be quite spectacular to see the train cross the Viaduct!

While we were crossing the Viaduct, I could see lots of people outside taking pictures of the train. It was cool to think that we were actually INSIDE of the train, on our way to Hogwarts (well, Mallaig).

One of my favourite memories of the train is sticking my head out of the window. Only when it was safe to, of course! Meeting and traveling with the other people in my group – especially as a solo traveler – was a great experience too!

Hopefully my experience riding the Jacobite Steam Train helps you decide whether you want to ride it or not! Overall, it’s a very scenic and beautiful ride, even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan. Yes, it did get pretty hectic while we crossed the Viaduct, but it was still really fun and worth it! Since I went with a tour group, it was fun to experience the train ride with them. I was able to visit the Scottish Highlands too, which you must do if you are traveling to Scotland!

Have you been on the Jacobite Steam Train, or watched the train go by at the Viaduct? If so, let me know what your experience was like, and what you would recommend!

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Narrow cobblestone streets, old medieval buildings and a castle overlooking the city can make it hard NOT to find a beautiful spot to take a photo in Edinburgh. I mean seriously, around every corner there is something beautiful to see. During my visit to Scotland, I spent 2 days in Edinburgh. On one day, I did a scenic walk and here are 6 photogenic spots in Edinburgh (perfect for Instagram too, I suppose 😛 ) – complete with a Google Map walking route below!

Where to start your scenic walk: Edinburgh Castle

It’s easiest to begin your walk near Edinburgh Castle (at the top of the Royal Mile). The Google Map walking routes are at the bottom of this post so that you can have an idea of where they are located in Edinburgh!

Tip: Download an offline Google map of Edinburgh, and save these locations on your map. You will be able to find them easily as you are walking around.

Stop 1: Flodden Wall (for a photo of Edinburgh Castle)

Address: 1 Vennel, Edinburgh EH1 2HU, United Kingdom

When you arrive at Edinburgh Castle, turn left and head towards Grassmarket. There is an alleyway with lots of steps going up. Take these steps and look behind you for a unique view of Edinburgh Castle, one of the many photogenic spots in Edinburgh! It isn’t very busy here either which makes it easy to take a photo.

Stop 2: Dean Village

Address: Dean Path, Edinburgh EH4 3AY, United Kingdom

Dean Village is a short 15-20 minute walk away from Edinburgh Castle, and it feels like you have gone back in time. There’s a river flowing through the middle and small cobblestone streets. Wander around the small village. To leave, take the pathway along the Water of Leith back towards Edinburgh.

Stop 3: Circus Lane, Edinburgh

Address: Circus Lane, Edinburgh, UK

Once you leave Dean Village using the Water of Leith pathway, you will naturally end up only a few blocks away from Castle Lane. This is a short, but gorgeous street, with little houses and a cathedral overlooking it.

Stop 4: lunch at Eteaket (another photogenic spot in Edinburgh)!

Address: 41 Frederick St, Edinburgh EH2 1EP, United Kingdom

After all of this walking, it’s time for a lunch break! Along this walking route is Eteaket. An eclectic tea house with so many teas to choose from and classic afternoon tea. It’s adorable – and so filling! They are very knowledgeable in tea, so if you are having trouble narrowing it down they will definitely help you!

Stop 5: Princes Street Gardens

Address: Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2HG, United Kingdom

If you keep walking up the street from Eteaket, you will then end up at Princes Gardens. Spend some time walking around the gardens. It’s a peaceful getaway, and a nice spot to walk around.

After Princes Street Gardens, all you need to do is walk up and you are back on the Royal Mile! This is back where you started the walking route, so you can either spend the day exploring Edinburgh at your leisure, or go on to the final stop!

Stop 6: Arthurs Seat or Calton Hill

If you are up for more walking, head down to the bottom of the Royal Mile so that you can hike up Arthur’s Seat! It’s about a 2 hour climb, but worth it for the scenery along the way. I did this walking route and climbed Arthur’s Seat on the same day, so it is definitely do-able. You will put in A LOT of steps, so it is up to you if you have the energy!

If hiking Arthur’s Seat sounds like too much to do in one day, another option is to hike up Calton Hill. It is a shorter and less strenuous hike up to the top. The views of Edinburgh and Arthur’s Seat in the distance are beautiful. There are lots of statues and monuments, and even a restaurant at the top.

I hiked up Calton Hill on my first day in Edinburgh, and then hiked Arthur’s Seat on my second day during this scenic hike. If you have more than one day in Edinburgh I would highly recommend doing both!

Photogenic Spots in Edinburgh: Google Map Walking Routes

Option 1: Calton Hill

Option 2: Arthur’s Seat (instead of Calton Hill)

Do you have any photogenic spots in Edinburgh to take photos? The list could be endless, I know! 🙂 Let me know what your favourite place is in the comments below.