My best-friend is getting married in August and she recently celebrated her hen party in Edinburgh.
So if you’ve found this blog because you’re researching what a hen party in Edinburgh offers, you’ve come to the right place!
It’s an amazingly cosmopolitan city with history, cobbled streets and castles thrown into the mix. If you’re looking for a place that has everything you want with a dash of romanticism to set the tone for a big pre-wedding weekend, look no further than Scotland’s capital city.
But before I jump into details about the trip, I want to share some background information about my friendship with the bride-to-be, Miss Verity Anderson.
We both grew-up in Yorkshire and as soon as we met each other at the unworldly age of eight, we instantly clicked. Even as a child, she had a powerful sense of Joie de Vivre. I knew instantly I wanted to be her friend – as did everyone else.
At school you could hear her laugher ricocheting off the corridors before she even entered a classroom. That being said, she was studious when it counted so the teachers tolerated the occasional ruckus at the back of the classroom.
Though loud (or confident, to be diplomatic), she’s also smart, refreshingly honest and unapologetically beautiful. It’s that combination that makes every minute with her a blast. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had some fiery, unhinged moments of disagreements but what teenage friendship didn’t? These days, there’s nothing of the sort.
From the ages of 8 to 15, we had lots of shared friends at school, but as we grew older our friendship group dwindled but we remained close. Through major stages in our lives we’ve been there to celebrate or commiserate the ups and the downs – finishing school, crushes, first loves, new jobs, break-ups, graduating uni, leaving home – all the events that bring two friends closer together.
So you can only imagine my joy when I discovered my bestie was having a baby. She brought her little bundle of joy into the world in June 2017 and I’ve been so happy to see her blossom as a mother. Although we now live miles apart in completely different cities, and I don’t get to see her as much as I’d like, this distance now adds a greater appreciation of the times we manage to spend together.
The Hen Party in Edinburgh
The hen party was a 2-night, 3-day affair but I wanted to spend a little more time exploring the city so I arrived a day earlier by myself.
On the morning of the hen party I met the group of almost 30-girls at Waverly train station and we trotted towards our hotel. The sound of high heels and suitcases reverberated off the cobbled stones.
Hotel in Edinburgh
Initially we had planned to stay in apartments on Princess Street, but due to our group size coupled with the fact it was bank holiday, we ended up staying at Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh (formerly known as Jury’s Inn).
I’d recommend it for big groups like ours because it offers a great location by the train station and overlooks the river. Plus, there’s a large lobby to use as a meeting point after you’ve all finished getting ready in your separate rooms in the morning or before a night out (girls, it’s important to factor in these logistics).
When we were thinking of things to do, a lot of ideas were thrown around – cocktail mixing classes, spa treatments, whiskey tasting (when in Rome) – and though they’re all great options, most of us had already done these activities before, so we decided to go down another route that appeared to please everyone…
We hired out a vintage double decker!
It’s a gorgeous 1966 Routemaster bus converted into a quirky dining venue.
Since our group was so big we had the top floor to ourselves. This turned out to be essential considering all the photos we were taking, and noises of excitement that only a group of thirty girls can make.
I would’ve felt sorry for anyone who thought they were going on a scenic bus tour of Edinburgh, only to find themselves unable to escape of a pack of strangers celebrating a hen party!
The tour lasts 90-minutes, taking in many of Edinburgh’s historic landmarks, including Arthur’s Seat, the Scottish Parliament, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle.
Although a few of the major sights were pointed out along the way, there wasn’t the usual clichéd scripted commentary, instead the attention to detail was all about making sure our drinks were topped up and our needs were looked after!
As well as a variety of drinks, the price included afternoon high tea that comes with a selection of small sandwiches, and an array of scrumptious desserts that included traditional clotted cream scones, chocolate buns and macaroons (my favourite!).
Once the tour was over – and after one or two Proseccos to loosen the inhibitions – we made the most of the iconic double decker with a shameless and lengthy photo-shoot with the bride-to-be.
Sightseeing around Edinburgh
After the tour we split off in our own groups since some of us wanted to explore the city more whilst others wished to continue soaking up the sun over more nibbles and cocktails.
I opted for the sightseeing crew, where we had decided to mooch up the Royal Mile on top of Castle Rock, the location of Edinburgh Castle which can be seen from most places within the city. Perched on top of an extinct volcano, the Castle offers unparalleled views of Edinburgh.
Though, somehow, Verity still managed to upstage the main tourist attraction…
If your party has a thing for views you should also potter over to Calton Hill for some of the best views of the city from a particularly scenic location. Upon the hill you’ll also find the striking Athenian acropolis poking above the skyline.
The acropolis is in fact an unfinished monument – originally called the ‘National Monument’. Initiated in 1816, a year after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, it was meant to be a replica of the Parthenon in Athens, as a memorial to those who had died in the Napoleonic Wars.
Finally, whilst on Calton Hill, climb the stairs of Nelson Column for even better views of the city (£5 entry).
Shopping in Edinburgh
When there’s such a large group of girls, I know at least some of you will want to go shopping, and Edinburgh is great place for it.
There’s no shortage of stores to choose from in the city. High Street favourites such as Urban Outfitters and H & M can be found along Princess Street, while higher end stores like Anthopologie, Whistles, and Jigsaw are located on George Street.
If you prefer to have designer names under one roof, head over to Harvey Nichols by Saint Andrew Square.
In the city you’ll only find a selection of boutique and independent shops if you’re looking for one-off pieces. For example, if you’re into streetwear and understated garments, you’ll absolutely love Epitome.
Where to go at night
There are lots of places to eat and drink in Edinburgh to suit almost every taste. However, since we’re talking about hen parties, a touch of glamour and decadence is the flavour of the night, right?
And that can be found in abundance at Tigerlily on George Street. It’s also a boutique hotel so if you’re in a smaller group, you might want to consider staying there for a more intimate experience.
On the particular night we went the place was filled with cherry blossom, and along with the mirrored walls and opulent chandeliers, it couldn’t have looked any prettier. Not wanting to be outdone were the cocktails, they offered some delightful concoctions and pretty garnishes to set the tone for a super sweet and cheeky night.
One Response