Once Trafalgar had showed us some of England’s highlights, it was then time to depart for Scotland. En route to Edinburgh, we made a stop at the medieval market town of Alnwick. The crown jewel of this town is the 700 year old Alnwick Castle; home to not only the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, but the first two Harry Potter films.
This living castle, despite being an incredible tourist attraction, is still a family house to this day. The magnificent venue is filled with glorified state rooms, centuries old furniture and art, and a history that is both dramatic and intriguing — the ideal backdrop for a movie such as Harry Potter.
Lunch was served in the neighboring Treehouse Restaurant in the gorgeous Alnwick Gardens courtesy of VisitBritain. It was a magical place to dine in, in fact it is considered one of the most unique restaurant settings in the world with a roaring log fire in the center of the main dining room and trees growing up through the floor. The locally sourced food was as equally impressive as the surroundings.
Later we continued onwards and as we approached the Scottish capital the scenery became even more captivating. Just as we crossed the border we were greeted with a double rainbow!
In the early evening, we checked into the APEX International Hotel Edinburgh, which had a breathing view of the Edinburgh Castle. I was so close I felt that if I reached out I could touch it.
Dinner was served in the legendary The Witchery on the Royal Mile, where we celebrated our first night in Scotland. This destination restaurant is considered almost as iconic as the castle itself. Andrew Lloyd Webber considers it “the prettiest restaurant ever”.
Incredible architecture – the stone walls of the castle are perfectly accentuated against the green rolling hills and trees. Looks like you’re there at the perfect time of year!
Yes, I agree! The architecture in the UK is so gorgeous!!!
Gorgeous photos!
Thank you so much!
The photo of the double rainbow, which is highlighted by the contrast of the rich green fields and dark sky, is absolutely stunning.
Thank you soooo much!!!!! I was really lucky to catch it out of the corner of my eye on the coach.
Those pictures are amazing! I would love to return to Scotland some day… I studied one semester in Edimburgh and I loved it! I have to go back!
xx,
E.
http://www.theslowpace.com
What a fun place to study!!! I hope you can return soon. XO
I visited Scotland during winter too and caught the magical Christmas market in Edinburgh. Oh, I still dream of that… I would LOVE to go back… I feel like I need to see a whole lot more of Scotland.
It was so magical, but COLD!!! Thankfully, I had someone with me who kept me quite warm haha! 😉 I definitely want to do a Scottish road trip with my hubby!
Such beautiful countryside…that rainbow is amazing!!
It really is an amazingly beautiful part of this world!!! Wait until you see all of the rainbows I shot.
This makes me itch to go back to Scotland! My boyfriend and me traveled there last year and it we had such an amazing time there! 🙂 In my opinion, Scotland has some of the most beautiful castles in the world!
I would agree with you on that! What a romantic trip!!! I hope my hubby and I can make a trip there soon.
double rainbow!~
Yep! 🙂
It all looks and sounds fabulous. I would love to eat at that restaurant one day!!!
I know you, so that means you WILL eat at that restaurant haha! <3
Ahh those photos are making me so wanderlusty for Scotland and England!!
Yay! That’s such a compliment!!!
Wow! are you a professional photographer? Those photos are awesome…
Thanks and yes I am!
The castle is awesome, but Webber’s favorite restaurant just made it to my list!
Hahaha! Yes, you MUST try it!!!
Gorgeous photos! You have me itching to return to Scotland. I was only there for a weekend five years ago which you know is not enough! That restaurant looks incredible – I will definitely be adding it to my itinerary!
Thank you sooo much, you’re so kind! That restaurant is just gorgeous. I wish that it had been lighter inside when we went, so I could have gotten better photos. It’s truly breathtaking!!!
You are giving me the travel bug again soooo bad! I didn’t leave the country in 2013. I think that seriously needs to change next year. Want to go to Italy or Greece with my sister and me in 2014? 🙂
I hope it changes for you next year, as I know how important international travel is for you! I would LOVE to go to Italy and/or Greece with you if I’m not pregnant hehe! 😉
Alnwick is an amazing place to visit. Though I enjoyed seeing the family’s personal items inside, the high point was watching the children’s entertainment with Dumbledore, Hagrid and Professor McGonagall.
More exciting for me than England is Scotland and I adored Edinburgh!
p.s. Beautiful photos!
I didn’t get to see the children’s entertainment sadly, though I saw signs everywhere for the activities. Would have been really cute to watch!
What a gorgeous place! I love all the little details you captured. 🙂
Thank you kindly, you know how much I love details!
What wonderful photos you have Andi. We got back from Scotland ourselves just a few weeks ago. Scotland is such a gorgeous place.
I remember The Witchery. We wanted to go there for a nightcap but they were closing! ‘Looked good though 🙂
Thank you so much! What a shame our paths didn’t cross in Scotland and yes it is gorgeous! You’ll have to return to stop in The Witchery — it’s AMAZING!!!
Stunning photos, friend! I think you must have been feeling especially inspired this day, or was it a little Harry Potter magic?
Thank you sweetheart!!!!