City scenes; the Royal Botanic Garden
Apartment fire escape 
Thistle Street 
St. Andrew Square
I spent an afternoon walking around the city and just appreciating how lovely the city is. A large part of it is how modern buildings have been harmoniously incorporated into the old Gothic and Georgian styles that generally get more attention. These photos are of regular streets around the city center; they show the sorts of scenes someone who lives here would see on a typical day of running errands, etc.
Alpine garden 
Heather 
Edinburgh skyline
As a contrast to the urban experience, I visited the Royal Botanic Garden located a little north of the city center. It was a gorgeous, crisp, sunny day, perfect for a leisurely exploration of the garden’s 70 acres. This is a lovely experience, with areas dedicated to distinct biomes (alpine, Asian, woodland, etc.), as well as ponds, sculptures and benches; it’s a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city and well worth the trip.
I rounded out the morning with lunch at The Cumberland Bar. Located in the New Town section of Edinburgh and just a 20 minute walk from the botanic garden, this is a cozy neighborhood gastropub with a solid menu of traditional fare and a good selection of cask ales and draft beers. The fish was beautifully battered, light and not greasy, and I was pleasantly surprised by the tartar sauce, which had a bright, home-made tasting zing. I would definitely order the Hollyrood Pale Ale again; local brewery Stewart Brewing did a fine job of crafting a refreshing, medium-bodied ale with a light, almost citrus bitterness.