Edinburgh, Scotland is a fantastic place. As soon as you land in the city's center you can hear the bagpipes. What's pretty funny is that as you walk around the city, you will see the same 5 pipers throughout - they move about the city like witches. You will also see guitarists, accordionists and magicians - all of which are super talented and a pleasure to watch and listen to.
The legendary Edinburgh Castle dominates the skyline and looks down over the city - built atop a volcano many centuries ago. It's an icon for the Scots and currently houses their War Memorial and Crown Jewels - very cool place.
While there, be prepared to meet a million people - not only Scots, but from all over the world. I met Swedes, Spaniards and tons of Aussies - they are everywhere. And EVERYONE loves to introduce themselves and talk about "America". One guy I met, Carl, came to the US 30 years ago for a couple of weeks. His cousin opened a doughnut shop in Detroit and he came to help. He spent his days making doughnuts and his nights with the hookers. He loved it. His wife made him come back though.
The pubs are great. All of them pay homage to some local fairytale or folklore like that of Maggie Dixon. She was a hooker that got knocked up by a "john" but the baby died. Maggie concealed its body. Found guilty under the concealment of Pregnancy Act she was returned to Edinburgh for execution by hanging in 1724. She was placed in a coffin and taken to the grave for burial. But en route there was a banging from inside the coffin, and when the lid was lifted, Maggie was found to be alive. She lived for another 40 years, known universally as "Half-Hangit Maggie". Some say that Maggie survived because she had become a "good friend" of the ropemaker who supplied the hangman: and the early breaking of the rope allowed her survival. Good stuff.
At a place called Biddy Mulligan's - I saw a fantastic band from Glasgow called Playtone. They played some great cover songs but have some great originals. These guys would eat up the States. Check 'em out. (http://www.playtoneonline.com)
