Escape to Edinburgh

Last year Divya Palat and Aditya Hitkari made a significant journey on their travel calendar, a trip to the countryside of castles and culture — Edinburgh, for the theatre duo were the only Indians to be chosen at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“Not only were ranked among the top three shows of the year but we only had a single show in a day, so we spent our evenings exploring a most amazing city,” says Divya.

JK Rowling’s new neighbours
They stayed at a two-storey house in a quiet, affluent side of town called Morningside. “It was houses away from the author JK Rowling’s,” she grins. “The place was lively — with little cobbled pathways and quaint cafes and what I found most amusing was that we had to walk to almost every place because the roads were narrow.” Adds Aditya, “Where you asked for directions, they usually said “10 minutes,” and what they always failed to mention was that it was 10 minutes up-hill!, so we had a bit of exercise too!”

Of fairytale castles & ghost tours
For most part, the trip was a slice of old history come to life. “Edinburgh is like that,” she explains. “It has a beautiful castle which overlooks the entire city and tales of kings and princes are aplenty. We witnessed the Military tattoo which happens daily. It’s when the soldiers form a grand marching band formation and hundreds of people come to watch.” They also went on a ‘ghost tour’. “It’s where you are taken under the cities roads and narrated stories of people who hid out, lived and even died under the city. Guess what? When I went under the city — I really saw the ‘watchman’ — a ghost who was in charge of keeping a watch on those that were sleeping and disallowing others from entering… spooky!” she reveals.

Eating & shopping
They tasted the Scotch whiskey and saw the largest private collection of it in the world. “We also  ate out every night, even at the Elephant House — it’s JK Rowling’s favourite cafe where she conceptualised Harry Potter!

Aditya tried Haggis (the traditional Scottish dish of sheep heart, liver and lungs) but I had no desire to,” she laughs. They picked up some Tartan blankets for their puppy Cookie and a few old Edinburgh maps too.

Any plans for a return? “We’re longing to go back to Scotland soon, this time to Loch Ness,” they say.