(This is Part 2 of a two-part weekend guide for solo female travelers in Edinburgh. You can read the first part here.)

text and photos by Nina Sarmiento

If you only got a weekend to spare for Edinburgh, why don't you try visiting these fab sites:
Holyrood Palace: one of the ancient residences that is still being occupied by the British Royal family. The word"Holy rood" is an anglicisation of the Scots haly ruid (or "holy cross"). Its name is taken from a relic, believing to be a segment of Christ's cross.

GreyFriar Graveyard and GreyFriar Bobby: The royal castles and palaces are not the most photographed places in Edinburgh. That honor belongs to the statue of "Bobby". Bobby is a skye terrier who faithfully visited his master's graveyard in GreyFriar everyday for 14 years. His remains and tombstone can be found near the gate of Greyfriar's churchyard.

St. Mary's Cathedral: the first Catholic church built after the Reformation. It was destroyed by fire and the facade was only left from its original architecture. In front of the church are the massive sculptures of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, one of the most influential British sculptors of the 20th century.

Calton Hill : Another hill to conquer in Edinburgh, it sits at the east side of the new town. From the top of the hill you can have a panoramic view of the Edinburgh castle, the old and new town, and the Holyrood palace. At the centre of the hill are the 12 pillars of the National monument to honor the soldiers killed in the Napoleonic war.
Old Calton Burial Ground: resting place of many Scottish notables including the philosopher David Hume. An obelisk to in honor of the exiled political reformer Thomas Muir was erected there as well. It also has the Emancipation Monument depicting 16th U.S. President Abrahan Lincoln with a slave kneeling at his feet, in memory of the Scottish soldiers who died in the American civil war.
Sir Walter Scott Monument: the first monument you will see upon stepping out of train station, it is a memorial for the renown Scottish playwright/novelist/poet.
Dynamic Earth: this is for the science lovers,it offers themed galleries with interactive display on the formation and evolution of the planet.

***
Have you been to Edinburgh? What are the must-see sites that you really love? Please share your thoughts here! 🙂