[Edinburgh Walking Diary] See the souls of two cities from Calton Hill

#AprilGoodDestinations2025 #Edinburgh Edinburgh has two souls - the New Town and the Old Town. One is elegant and rational, the other is ancient and mysterious. Both are listed as World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations. Calton Hill is the perfect location to see both faces at once. I walked up the mountain slowly in the afternoon. Although it was not high, the steps went up around the greenery, and I felt like I was gradually getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The moment you reach the top of the mountain, the scenery in front of you is really calming. Looking west, you can see the outline of the old city with its mottled stone walls and uneven roofs, like a theater that has continued from the Middle Ages to the present day; while looking east, you can see the straight streets and neatly arranged buildings of the new city, which is an ideal urban blueprint planned in the 18th century. I sat on the grass and watched the sun slowly dye the city golden. Several landmarks on Carlton Hill are also eye-catching: the unfinished Greek-style "National Monument" and the "Nelson Memorial" commemorating naval heroes, all of which add a sense of history and drama to this hill. This is not just a check-in spot for tourists, but more like an outlet for the city. When you come here, you will suddenly understand that what makes Edinburgh so charming is not just its architecture, but its temperament that can accommodate contrasts.