The ISA JournalThe City of a Warm Soul: A Journey Through Edinburgh’s Forever-Autumn Skylines

As the early morning grey-blue tone casts its gentle glow of light from behind blanketing clouds over Edinburgh, the city awakens from its misty slumber, revealing a skyline that tells a thousand stories. This ancient landscape, with its blend of medieval fortifications, Gothic grandeur, and modern touches, is a living testament to the history and soul of Scotland. Today, we will embark on a journey to explore some of the most enchanting structures that shape the city’s character.

It is safe to say that Edinburgh is a place that will forever live on replay in the back of my mind, and a flashback I will rewatch every now and then until I return back to this Second Home.

Yes, Edinburgh is on my list of “I’ve Arrived at My Second Home”— and trust me, not many places have the honor of being on here.

Moss-laced cobblestone, gently fallen golden leaves crunching under perfectly-arched trees on quiet streets, seagulls gracefully moving through the white blanketed sky, and dark, dramatic details belonging to castles, monuments and, oh yeah, every single building in sight: Edinburgh looks and feels like no other city in the world. A blend of Neoclassical and Gothic styles of architecture is what gives this cozy, drizzled city its contrasting appearance. Such styles are characterized by Edinburgh’s pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, emphasizing the value in verticality and grandeur.

I could not keep my eyes from continuously looking up and out— from castles, to hidden below-street level cafes, to its friendly faces, the Firth of the Fourth waters, and to the skyline. Thirty-one hours was simply not enough time to explore and learn this beautiful and detailed town, however just from this day and a half, I saw so many incredible views that I must share.

University of Edinburgh

I never knew a college could be so jaw-droppingly beautiful until my eyes laid upon this one. With one look, I instantly envied attending such an immaculate and historical site.

I mean, try to look away for 5 seconds…. Exactly.

The University of Edinburgh, established in 1582, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. It played a key role in the Scottish Enlightenment of the 18th century, attracting thinkers like David Hume and Adam Smith, and making itself a well-known global center of innovation.

The university is best known for its contributions to science and medicine, with alumni including Charles Darwin, who developed his theory of natural selection, and Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone. What?! It was hard to believe not only the beginnings of how to create such intricacy and attention to detail in 3-D form of art, but also how I was there standing in front of a place where such brilliant minds have walked.

Edinburgh Castle: The Fortress of the Ages

To learn about history is one thing. You can study and memorize dates and events all you’d like, but being within its foundation? It’s a whole other level of cool.

Left: Inside Castle Court View

Center: Outlook from Castle

Right: Soldier’s Dog Sanctuary

Edinburgh Castle was built upon strategic advantage of elevated rock all the way back in the Iron Age in 1103 (!). Choosing to build upon a cliff so high up yet nearby the city is what attributes to Scotland’s success of becoming an independent nation and remaining one through several battles, and not to mention, hosting some incredible views of the city of Edinburgh for today’s viewers. Despite this, Edinburgh castle has been under several sieges, but it still remains immensely detailed in architecture and historically original in feel with every corner you turn.

Not pictured but a fun fact I learned: Above the door to the Royal Palace are the engraved initials MAH, standing for Mary Queen of Scots and her second husband, Henry Stewart. Mary gave birth to James VI in the Royal Palace in 1566, king of Scotland just at 13 months old who went to unite the crowns of Scotland and England in 1603. This was shocking and fascinating to hear, being from American culture where royalty does not play a significant role in our history.

I am a visual learner, so to be looking and standing on what once was where cannons were fired, walking through gates from the year 1500 (pictured above) and where royalty walked, and reading within the memorial (right) of all the brave soldiers that died keeping guard for their beloved country of Scotland today was an surreal yet sympathetic experience.

The Hub: A Gothic Rocket to the Sky

The Hub is a neo-Gothic marvel that stretches skyward with its dramatic spire—the highest point in central Edinburgh.

Its dark stone facade and towering spire seem to defy gravity, like a rocket poised for launch, a testament to the city’s ambitions and creative spirit.

Scott’s Monument: A Gothic Tribute to Literary Legacy

Last but not least, my favorite site I was compelled to see in Edinburgh up close was Scott’s Monument. I almost ran out of time to see it, but knew I’d be kicking myself if I didn’t check out this dramatic and unique structure standing out from everything else in its path, but I thankfully squeezed it in the last hour before (very sadly) leaving for the airport.

The rich site for sightseeing is Princes Street, where the towering Scott’s Monument pierces the sky like a blackened spear. Built in honor of Sir Walter Scott, this Gothic masterpiece stands 200 feet tall, with its dark stone a stark contrast against the bright Scottish sky. The intricate carvings of historical figures, mythical creatures, and iconic scenes from Scott’s novels seemed to come alive as we circled the base.

This was so amazing to study, and I didn’t even know this statue of Scott was inside the monument until I was up-close! A beautiful contrast and honorary display of such an incredible piece of art I could easily walk by everyday—that is, when I move here, of course.

On one side of Scott’s Monument is the Garden of Remembrance, a very unique cultural tradition that I loved to discover home to Scotland. Scarlett poppies, a beautiful flower that once was sprawled in large fields across Scotland during wartime, hold a stark contrast to the vibrant ones sold on the main streets below, a somber reminder of the lives lost and the resilience of a nation that has withstood time and conflict. All the bright red poppies in contrast to the green grass were a beautiful reminder that one’s life cannot be forgotten by those they love.

Takeaways

Standing on the Royal Mile waiting for my shuttle to the airport at hour 31 with the hustle and bustle of the city around me and my friends, it became clear to me that Edinburgh is more than just a collection of really awesome-looking buildings. It is a living, breathing narrative—a city of powerful, mysterious stories, with each stone and spire a chapter in an epic storyline that spans across centuries.

From the towering Scott’s Monument to the timeless strength of Edinburgh Castle, the vibrant new perspectives now home to The Hub, and the intellectual legacy of Edinburgh University, this city is a testament to the enduring spirit of Scotland. The symbolism of the poppy, a delicate flower that can bloom even in the harshest conditions, embodies the resilience and remembrance that define this remarkable place.

To Edinburgh, a city where the past and present coexist in perfect harmony, whispering to those who mind to listen. As I departed, the sun dipped lower behind the overcast, casting deep navy shadows over the cobbled streets, paralleling the feeling inside of me of bittersweet sorrow for the gentle closing of my “study abroad” book on the beloved Scotland chapter—only to know I will come back and re-read the chapter in the near future.

I’ve found a Second Home.