a weekend in Edinburgh

The weekend before last we visited our younger so in Edinburgh. It was officially the last weekend of summer and the weather was still warm and sunny. Saturday was a perfect September day to walk up Arthur's Seat and enjoy the views.

On a clear day, at 250 metres above sea level, the views were spectacular.

It was crowded at the very top but easy to find a quiet sheltered spot for our picnic.

Spectacular views on the way down, the Firth of Forth, Carlton Hill and Holyrood are some of the sights I recognise. This is the fourth time we have visited since our son moved here so I am only just getting my bearings, seeing the city from a high vantage point certainly helps.

On Sunday the weather was less sunny but still fine and dry and we headed off to Cramond on the coast. At low tide Cramond Island can be reached by a causeway, one of 43 islands in the UK that can be reached by foot at low tide.

This is the causeway from the mainland to the island about a mile away.

These concrete structures which line one side of the causeway were put in place during the war to prevent boats and U-boats passing between the south of the island and the mainland at hight tide.

The causeway looking back from the island to the mainland, the row of concrete pillars can be seen along the side of the causeway. There are many military buildings on the island from both World Wars.

Once on the island there are good views of the Forth bridge

and a glimpse of Arthur's Seat through the trees.

Even on this grey day there was plenty of colour, the elderberries looked good

and the rocks near the shore were covered in lichen.

We were a bit cold after sitting eating our picnic but back on the mainland we found a lovely cafe where we could warm up and admire the view. The autumn colours were further forward in Scotland than here - two weeks later we are beginning to catch up.

This corner of a park in Edinburgh showed the beginning of autumn at the very end of summer. A good weekend.