Edinburgh Farmers' Market

It's a treat indeed! The Edinburgh Farmers' Market happens every Saturday on Castle Terrace. It's chock full fresh veggies, cheese, meat, fish, coffee, beer and baked bread. It's not as big as Madison's Farmers' Market (oh, sweet cheese curds!) but it's still good. Where else can you get porridge with whisky? Or an ostrich burger?

The bagpiper

There are many bagpipers that frequent the High Street, also known as the Royal Mile. The Royal Mile is like the Times Square of Edinburgh, complete with touristy shops. The bagpipers play year round and in all kinds of weather. They are not all the same however, no! I hear them as I leave in the morning and they accompany me home at night, so much so that I can now tell the difference between a good piper vs. a not so good piper. They work hard. Standing out in the Scotland weather (unpredictable) puffing away as tourist run up to get a picture with a real bagpiper. I see their eyes squint as one more tourist takes their photo and refuses to throw some change in their case. Ten pence, people! Come on!

The piper above is my favorite. He looks good and plays well. One time I saw him stare another piper down until the poor guy left his turf. Try Princes Street, fella!

Hello from Edinburgh!

First, let me explain. Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish that is made from sheep's intestinges, onion, oatmeal and spices. Sounds good, no? Don't forget it's also boiled in the animal's stomach. Ah, bonnie Scotland! Actually, it's not so bad. Still, when you read this Haggis Breath blog, imagine the tasty vegertarian version (specfically MacSween of Edinburgh, it's so good!)

I should have started this post six months ago when we first moved from New York, but we got distracted with living in a new country, starting PhD programmes and learning about new foods (such as haggis). We beg your forgiveness. More to come soon!