England-Scotland Day 3 (Part 2 ) – Edinburgh Pearl Apartments and first glimpse of Edinburgh, Princes Street

5 April 2010

I have booked a service apartment called the Edinburgh Pearl Apartments at Lochrin Place from the internet.  Upon arrival, we gave a call to the caretaker who promptly showed up with the keys and let us into the underground garage. We brought all our luggage up to the apartment this time, since we were staying for 2 nights and there was a lift from the garage to the apartment.

The apartment was very nice; with free wi-fi and free parking in the garage below. We planned to explore Edinburgh on foot and this apartment was chosen for its location near to the city centre.

Here are some pictures of the apartment.

The caretaker gave us some maps of the town and also instructions on what to do on the day of our check-out (where to drop the keys) and that was the last we saw of him.

Then it was off to explore Edinburgh. It was about 5 PM when we walked to Princes Street. On the way, we chanced upon a shop selling oriental food, and quite crowded with Asian students. We bought some “comfort food” – instant Ramen since the apartment came with a fully equipped kitchen.

Princes Street was windy!

Strong, sudden gust of wind almost swept us off our feet at times.

The number of bus stops along thestretch of Princes Street is unbelievable. One bus stop every 100m, it seems.

Princes Street have shops on one side and Princes Street Gardens with views of Edinburgh Castle on the other side of the road. Statues of prominent figures lined the road by the Princes Street Garden.

Statue of Poet Allan Ramsay at the Princes Street Garden, viewed from Princes Street with Edinburgh Castle in the background.

The Scott Monument is 200 ft high and the top is reached via 287 steps. We did not venture up.

At the centre of the Scott Monument is Sir John Steell's statue of Sir Walter Scott. It is executed in Carrara marble and is more than double life-size.

Figures on top of roof of National Gallery of Scotland, Princes Street, Edinburgh.

We went as far as the junction of Princes Street, Leigh Street and Waterloo Place. 

North Bridge Road in Edinburgh as viewed from Princes Street.

At this place, the magnificent Balmoral Hotel and bronze statue of The Duke of Wellington mounted on a rearing horse are located.

Statue of The Duke of Wellington mounted on a rearing horse with Balmoral Hotel in background.

Magnificent bronze statue of The Duke of Wellington mounted on a rearing horse was sculpted by Sir John Steel (1804 - 1891) and erected outside Register House in 1852 .

Clock Tower of the Balmoral Hotel.

View of the tower on top of Carlton Hill. This was as far as we went along Princes Street before heading back to our apartment.

Instead of going back towards our apartment via Princes Street, we went to the Saint Andrews Square and walked back via George Street, running parallel to Princes Street.

Union Jack flying on top a building (Royal Bank of Scotland?) at Saint Andrews Square.

Interesting small public toilet at Saint Andrews Square, Edinburgh.

Another view of Scott Monument as we made our way back to our apartment along George Street.

As the sun sets, the temperature dropped quite a bit and it was a cold walk back. Dinner was at Nandos Restaurant, along Lothian Road. This was our first time eating at this restaurant chain in the UK. The hot and spicy Piri Piri chicken served in the restaurant tasted great and warmed us up in the cold weather.