edinburghinmyheart

22/12/2025

Save a little itinerary of the places to visit while in Edinburgh:

1. Markets on 📍Princes Street East and West, and George Street

2. Royal Mile and its closes, in particular:
Advocates, Boswell, Jollies

3. Dean Village

4. Climb up Scott Monument

5. Visit , these are free. My favorite one is the Portrait Gallery

6. Victoria Street

7. and don’t miss the rooftop terrace 👌🏻

8. Calton Hill

9. Arthur’s Seat if you’re feeling adventurous

22/12/2025

Nestled on the border with Scotland, Northumberland holds a special place in my heart ❤️, partly because of its striking resemblance to its northern neighbor!

Here was our lovely itinerary:

🏨 Stay:
We based ourselves in Wooler and stayed at the Arlington House Hotel. This self-check-in spot offered cozy, functional, and modern rooms - a perfect retreat!

🌄 Explore:
1️⃣ Wooler proved to be an ideal base, right in the heart of the region. This charming village is surrounded by the beautiful Cheviot Hills, offering a picturesque backdrop and brilliant hikes 🥾.

2️⃣ Our first major stop was the magnificent 🏰. Steeped in history and featured in Indiana Jones, it’s absolutely stunning! The walk along the nearby beach is a must as well! 🌊.

3️⃣ Next, we visited Alnwick, famous for its stunning . Although closed until April, we sent our golden snitch soaring around the walls ✨🧹—capturing views straight out of Harry Potter!

4️⃣ We then explored Barter Books , the famous secondhand bookshop set in Alnwick’s old train station 📚🚂. Shelves overflowing with books and a charming miniature railway running above - pure magic! They also serve afternoon tea there!

5️⃣ On the way home, we stopped at Edlingham Castle, a medieval ruined fortress surrounded by peaceful countryside 🏛️🌾.

🍽️ Eat:

· Breakfast at the newly opened Distillery in Wooler and definitely get yourself booked for a tour 🥃. We had to miss it as we were with our wee one.
· Dinner at Milan Restaurant in Wooler - delicious local Italian 🍝 Was very impressed.

⏳ Missed:
The award-winning - next time! 🌸

21/12/2025

21/12/2025

📍Discover my favourite Cozy & Pinterest-worthy coffee spots in Edinburgh! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☕️ In no particular order:

1. .uk on Elm Row 🦌- one of the best coffees in
the city. They have a beautiful selection of sweet and savoury pastries, plus a dreamy storefront that’s perfect for that cute coffee mug shot. ☕️📸

2. 🇧🇷☕️ - this is actually their second location
as they also have a cute little shop in Canongate. A truly unique setting! The building was formerly the Edinburgh Printmakers and, before that, a historic public washhouse. The serve delicious brew of their direct-trade Brazilian coffee (the owners know all the farmers by name!).

3. .co 💐🌾 - Honestly the cutest coffee shop in
town. Great coffee and pastries (vegan • options included!). It shares a space with a flower and gift shop .co , so there’s plenty to browse while you sip.

4. ☕️🪟- This place has such a quirky, homely vibe. It’s the perfect spot to get some work done while sitting in their dreamy bay window. 💻

5. & 6. - With 2 locations on 📍Cockburn
Street, both are absolutely perfect for romanticising your mornings with a fantastic brew.📸

7. Kitchen Table by on 📍Easter Rd 🍳🥐
This is my local and I absolutely love it. While coffee isn’t their sole specialty (though it’s great!), their breakfast and lunch menus featuring fresh, local, and seasonal produce are an absolute must-do in Edinburgh.
8. 🚚☕️ - I’ve mentioned this one before!
Technically not a coffee shop, but don’t miss their amazing hot chocolate served from a charming truck at 📍the Meadows. They also currently have a pop up at the Christmas Market on 📍Princes St Gardens East

20/12/2025

Help yourself I suppose 😅

20/12/2025

Exploring the Scottish Highlands! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨ Some of the classics and a few of the beaten paths gems🫶🏻

1. Glencoe: 🏔️ Towering peaks and vast valleys are steeped in both breathtaking beauty and a tragic history. A classic shot would be by the ‘Wee White Houseʼ.

2. Glen Etive: 🚗 This serene, single-track road winds through a magnificent glen straight out of a film. Made famous by James Bond, it leads you to the tranquil waters of Loch Etive, surrounded by pristine wilderness perfect for wild camping.

3. Lochan Uaine: 💚 aka Green Loch Nestled in the Cairngorms near Aviemore. Local legend says the colour comes from the fairies washing their clothes in its waters, and a walk through the ancient pine forest to find it feels truly magical. 🧚

4. Ruthven Barracks: 🏰 These imposing ruins stand sentinel on a mound overlooking the River Spey. Built after the 1715 Jacobite uprising to control the Highlands, they were finally destroyed by the Jacobites in 1746 and now offer a poignant glimpse into a turbulent past. Free to visit

5. Loch Morlich: 🏞️ Yes, that’s a beach with a stunning view of the Cairngorm mountains! This unique spot offers watersports on the freshwater loch, surrounded by one of the UK’s last remaining ancient Caledonian Pine forests. 🏔️

6. Touchstone Maze: 🌀 Located in the charming spa village of Strathpeffer, this modern labyrinth is made from different Scottish stones. It’s a place for quiet contemplation and reflection, following a tradition of the village as a place of healing and wellness.

7. Plodda Falls: 🌊 Tucked away in a dense forest near Glen Affric, Plodda Falls delivers a breathtaking spectacle as water plunges over a sheer cliff. A viewing platform extends right over the cascade, letting you feel the thunderous power and spray of the water below.

8. St. Mary and St. Finnan Church: ⛪ This beautiful Catholic church on the shores of Loch Shiel is an architectural gem, built in the Gothic Revival style. Something to add to your itinerary if your are going to see Glennfinnan aqueduct.

19/12/2025

An incredible evening at for a tasting of their first-ever organic extra virgin olive oil - EVOO. 🫒✨

Owners Carina and Victor Contini guided us through tasting, before treating us to an exquisite dinner. 👌🏻

Every dish - from white bean soup to grilled steak with, and even cocoa mousse - was crafted to highlight their new produce.

And this officially the restaurant to add to your bucket list!🙌🏻

18/12/2025

Take some time to “chill” at the Polar Ice Bar, where even your glass is carved from ice ❄️

📍 George Street

This year, step inside The Ice Queen’s Castle - a frozen 2025 wonderland of intricate carvings and magical Insta-moments.

🧥 Coats and gloves are provided so you stay cosy inside the -10°C space.
🍸 Your ticket does need to be pre-booked and it includes your first festive cocktail, served in your own ice glass (alcoholic & non-alcoholic options available).

🎟️ A pop-up at the Edinburgh Winter Festival on George Street until 4th Jan.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family sessions available—check the festival website to book!

💷 Tickets from £17.95
📅 Until 4 January 2025
🔗 Book online via Edinburgh Winter Festival website

18/12/2025

Christmas at the 📍 National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh 🎄

17/12/2025

Doors of Edinburgh 🎄

17/12/2025

This was the last year of this iconic Jenners Christmas Tree 🎄 - 2019. Who remembers?