Reliably wonderful teatimes
Text by Jane Pettigrew
Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, is loved by residents and visitors alike, for it is welcoming and friendly and has so much to offer. Its fascinating history dates from the arrival of the Romans in the 2nd century AD to its status today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and City of Literature. It is also a respected centre of learning, which many famous writers (including Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stephenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Burns, John Buchan, and J. K. Rowling) have called, or still call, home. As well as that more serious, academic aspect of life, the city has a very lively, energetic side, and for three weeks each summer, it hosts the Edinburgh Festival (the city is often referred to as the world’s top festival city), which explodes into streets, concert halls, theatres, and every possible performance space with drama, dance, movies, music, comedy, and laughter, all accompanied by a great sense of camaraderie. The city’s other claims to fame include its magnificent architecture; a skyline of countless spires, towers, and monuments; the city’s unusual choice of the mythical unicorn as its national animal; Scotch whisky; haggis (an acquired taste); shortbread; and tea, traditionally drunk strong with milk to refresh in summer and warm against the chill that settles over the town in winter. And the city also offers a commendable list of exceptionally good tearooms and tea lounges that serve more than just that traditional strong cuppa and offer a wide selection of all other tea categories. There are so many impressive tea places, mostly within walking distance of the city centre, that it was difficult to decide which to include here. So, each one of the eight below was chosen for its individual style and distinct character that make it well worth a visit.
