For the second year running, we had a summer break in Scotland visiting Edinburgh, Inverness and Loch Ness.

We travelled by train on a Sunday morning to Edinburgh from Harrogate via York. The LNER train from York was packed. We had reserved seats but many passengers had only standing room. It was not a comfortable journey and I felt we should have booked first class seats. Lunch on the train was ham sandwiches and fruit brough from home.

We arrived in hot and sunny Edinburgh in mid afternoon and walked the short distance from busy Waverley Station to tour overnight accommodation – the basic but clean and adequate Edinburgh Central Travelodge on Waterloo Place. Reception staff were welcoming, friendly and helpful. The ensuite room on the third floor with a shower was small. No toiletries were provided. There was a colour TV and a fan but no telephone. Tea and coffee making facilities were available. Travelodge does not provide lunch or breakfast.

Dinner that evening was at the Society Bar & Kitchen, a short walk from the hotel. We first sipped Glendronach 12 Year Old Single Malt highland whisky recommended by the jovial Italian waiter and had excellent Olives & Focaccia, Mussels, Haggis and French fries washed down with few glasses of the fabulous Boekenhoutskloof   Goldmine 2024 – a blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier from Goldmine Farm in Swartland, Semillon from Franschhoek and Chardonnay from the Cap Maritime farm in Hemel-en-Aarde. I am familiar with Boekenhoutskloof and have visited the winery in South Africa but this was my first taste of the Goldmine. It is a lovely wine that should be in any good cellar and I made a note to contact New Generation, the UK agent for Boekenhoutskloof. The wine is also available from Majestic Wine Warehouse at £29 per bottle.

The mussels were the best I have had for a long time!

It was cooler when we walked back to the hotel after dinner. Sleep was blissful!

Published 28 July 2026