A Few Days Exploring Edinburgh in Late September

I took the train up to Edinburgh for a long weekend at the end of September. The final leg of the journey runs right along the coast, and I spent a while just watching the houses and the sea go by under a partly cloudy sky. My first real view of the city was from a high vantage point, looking out over the old buildings and church spires towards the water in the distance.

The next few days were mostly spent walking around the city center. The weather was perfect, with bright blue skies for most of the trip. The city is built on a grand scale. Everywhere you look, there's some incredible stone building, a clock tower, or an ornate monument like the Scott Monument. And of course, Edinburgh Castle is almost always visible, looming over the city from its hill.

I wandered through the Princes Street Gardens, past the big Ross Fountain, and explored the older streets. It was busy, with lots of people sitting outside cafes and pubs in the Grassmarket. I particularly liked the winding, colourful Victoria Street with its bright storefronts and banners strung overhead. It was a good time to visit, with the trees just starting to show some autumn colour against the stone.