Edinburgh (pronounced Ed-inn-Bud-uhh)
Yep, Ed-inn-Bud-uhh. That's how the Scots told us to say it! We kept trying to emphasize the burgh (like Pittsburg), and then got confused when we heard the Irish say something closer to Edinboro. So, when we had all the Glasgow cousins together, they set us straight: Ed-inn-Bud-uh. Aye.
Edinburgh has been the capital city of Scotland since 1437 and is as beautiful as we have heard, and even more friendly than we expected. Upon checking into our convenient little travel hotel near the convention center, we set out for an afternoon of sightseeing and maybe a bite to eat. We had a map given to us by the hotel, but had some trouble finding our bearings, so we asked two policewomen who were passing us on the sidewalk. 
Always a good time for John, talking to local cops. Plus, they were girls, so they were charmed and swooned over his "American accent." They showed us the locations on the map, and mentioned a few good deals in Edinburgh for eating and drinking. Among them, a restaurant on the top of a department store that serves a 3-course dinner for 12 pounds, and a row of bars that serve 2-for-1 drinks during happy hour. Well, this was music to our ears, as the weak American dollar has been breaking our wallets of late... any chance to pinch pennies, we'll be taking it! Thank you to the ladies of the Edinburgh police!
Our first order of sightseeing was the Edinburgh Castle, which has a breathtaking presence over the city, being visible from nearly any corner of the city centre. Perched high on an extinct volcano, its an amazing example of a medieval fortress that provides a panoramic view of the land and shows dominance over the city just based on its looming locations above it all. 
We tagged along with a walking tour, and stole some good info about the three royal gates that were strategically built to mislead any incoming forces who might try to overthrow the castle, as they zig-zag up the hilltop which would give the guards time to secure the upper gates while the intruders were trying to find their direction after storming the first gate. We went to the top of the Crown Square, where the Scottish crown jewels are kept (sorry, photos weren't allowed, but I promise you that they are amazing), and The Great Hall with its impressive hammerbeam roof built by James IV. I loved the mix of architectural styles at within the castle walls, as some buildings are as old at 1200s, and others quite recent.
After the castle, we were off to find this cheap-O dinner recommended by the cop. There, at the top of the Harvey Nichols department store, there's a restaurant featuring this great Prix Fixe deal. The view is great, as the perimeter walls of the building are full glass (imagine the Macy’s in San Francisco’s Union Square’s top floor, facing the park). After our big dinner, we went out to catch the 2-for-1 deals at a big pub that is housed in a gorgeous old bank. We met a few friendly Scots there who chatted with us about traveling, about American TV shows, and about the hospitality of Edinburgh. I know we keep saying this, but everyone we meet is so exceptionally nice.
We are staying just one night here, and leaving tomorrow afternoon for France. But, Edinburgh is a place I’d like to come back to visit some other time. We barely scratched the surface of things to see within the city, no less the retail and culinary adventures that are available. The city centre had a very cosmopolitan mode, with young people of many different races going out together and listening to rockin' bagpipe music. After just one day being here, I already want to return.
- Whitney
Whit & John
Months ago Whitney and I joined our Aunt Rose Marie and my sister MaryEllen for dinner and drinks (remember Pierce Brosnan, ladies?). Aunt Rose was enjoying a "Pimms Cup", which admittedly is a delicious cocktail. Anyhow, Whitney saw it on the drinks menu in Edinburgh and ordered one during our "Department store" dinner. When I asked how much it cost, she cooly replied "eight-fifty."
What she didn't mention was that the cost was in Pounds Sterling, which is current more than double the US Dollar. So now my wife has enjoyed her first - and last - nineteen dollar drink at a table one escalator ride away from Men's suits and shoes and the glassware dept.
-John
Whit & John
I really enjoyed our visit to the Castle in Edinburgh, especially seeing the museum of the Dragoon Guards Mounted Squadron "The Royal Scot's Greys".
The Greys were an amazing group. In addition to their Mounted service to Scotland since the 1600's, they also later formed part of Ponsonby's Brigade during the Waterloo campaign of 1815. On receiving the order to advance at Waterloo they charged to shouts of " Scotland for ever!" and many of the Gordon Highlanders are alleged to have grasped the stirrups of the Greys to keep up with them. In the charge 2,000 prisoners were taken and Sergeant Ewart of the Greys captured the "Eagle" of the 45th French Infantry which the hand of Napoleon himself had touched. For their services in this campaign the Greys received Royal permission to bear on their guidon the badge of an Eagle and the word " Waterloo", and the good Sergeant was promoted to lieutenant.
By Being ordered to the rear, this probably saved his life and also the standard for the regiment, as the rest of the regiment continued charging forward to French artillery positions, much further than they should have gone, now with very tired horses and unable to rally, the Scots Greys were attacked by Farine's Brigade of Cavalry (6th and 9th Cuirassiers) and later by the 4th Lancers, very few managed to return to the British Lines.
These cats have been proudly taking care of business for a long time. While they do battle these day against our enemies with more modern equipment, I thought it worth a mention that these guys were the real deal. They don't make great mounted men like that anymore.
-John
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