It was time to go home.
Or was it?
Dun dun dunnn!
One of the perks of solo‑ish travel is that I get to choose my own departure time – within the limits of airline schedules, of course. Because I’d booked my return flight with miles (economy this time – balance, people), my options were a little narrower. But that was fine by me. My flight wasn’t until 9 pm, which meant I had an entire bonus day in Edinburgh to play with.
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After a final breakfast at the hotel, I checked out, slung my bags over my shoulder, and headed for my first stop: a Stasher location near the train station. If you haven’t used it, Stasher is an app that helps you find places to store your luggage for a few hours – or the whole day – so you can roam hands‑free. Perfect for days like this, when you’ve got hours to kill but no hotel room to stash your stuff in.
This particular Stasher spot was another hotel, and the process was quick and painless. I’d even consulted Tony, our group guide, for strategic advice on which location would give me the best access to both the tram and the city sights. His pick was spot‑on – it would make it easy to get around and, later, head straight to the airport.
One thing I didn’t do? Leave my backpack there. I figured I could carry it around, but with the amount of stuff I’d crammed into it, it quickly became a literal pain in the back. Lesson learned: if you’re storing one bag, store them all.
First Stop: The Royal Yacht Britannia
With my luggage squared away, I hopped on the train to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia – once the floating palace of Queen Elizabeth II. Walking through the ship was like stepping into a time capsule of royal life at sea. The state apartments were elegant but surprisingly understated, the crew quarters neat and efficient.
I didn’t linger too long – there was a lot I wanted to fit into the day – but it was fascinating to imagine the events, conversations, and decisions that had taken place on board.
Holyrood Palace
Next up: Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. This time, I went inside.
The palace was full of grand rooms, ornate ceilings, and portraits that seemed to watch you as you passed. One tidbit from the audio guide stuck with me: in centuries past, it was common for portrait artists to tweak a subject’s features to resemble those of a royal or noble family they wanted to be associated with. Want to “prove” you were related to a prominent duke with a distinctive nose? Your portrait would suddenly feature that same nose.
Outside, the ruins of Holyrood Abbey were hauntingly beautiful – arches open to the sky, weathered stone walls whispering centuries of history. I could have stayed there for hours, imagining the ceremonies and gatherings that once filled the space.
Lunch & a Royal Mile Stroll
After exploring the palace, I grabbed lunch at the restaurant just outside the gates. The food was surprisingly good, and I picked up a sandwich to tuck into my backpack for later.
Then I wandered back up the Royal Mile, ducking into shops that caught my eye. Edinburgh is one of those cities where you can turn down a random side street and find something worth photographing.
Coffee, Castles & Quick Thinking
Eventually, I needed a caffeine boost and stopped at a small café. While sipping my coffee, I thought about how I wished I had been able to go inside Edinburgh Castle. I pulled up the ticket site on my phone – just in case – and, to my surprise, there was a slot available in 30 minutes.
I downed the rest of my coffee and decided to make it happen. Walking the Royal Mile at speed wasn’t appealing, so I used my day pass (which covered buses) and the Rome2Rio app to find the quickest route. There’s something satisfying about standing at a bus stop, knowing exactly which number you’re waiting for, and feeling like you blend in with the locals.
Edinburgh Castle
I arrived right on time. The walk up to the castle is steep, but there’s a shuttle for those who need it. With only about an hour to explore, I moved quickly but still managed to see the highlights – including the Scottish Crown Jewels.
One of the best parts of solo‑ish travel is being able to navigate crowds at your own pace. I zipped in and out of exhibits, lingered where I wanted, and skipped what didn’t interest me.
As I was leaving, I heard a familiar voice. It was Tony! We exchanged one last goodbye before I headed off.
One Last Surprise
On my way back to pick up my luggage, I took a street I hadn’t walked before and stumbled upon a gorgeous photo spot. I snapped a few shots, not realizing until later – scrolling on Instagram back home – that it was yet another “famous” Edinburgh view I’d found entirely by accident. The chaos method strikes again.
Tram to the Airport
Bags in hand, I hopped on the tram. Partway through the ride, ticket inspectors came through, and that’s when I learned you need a special airport ticket. Thankfully, they were kind and let me buy one on the spot. I’ve heard horror stories about steep fines in other countries, so I was grateful for the grace.
Airport Adventures
The tram drops you close to the entrance, but Edinburgh Airport has its quirks. They don’t announce your check‑in desk until a set time before your flight, so there’s no point in arriving too early.
Once my desk was posted and my bag checked, I joined the slow‑moving funnel into security, where the entire crowd condensed into one big holding pen before splitting into individual lines. My metal‑heavy credit card even managed to set off the scanner, which was a new one for me.
Cleared at last, I found a quiet corner to rest and finally unwrapped the sandwich I’d been carrying since lunch. And that’s when I saw it, tucked between the shortbread tins and tartan scarves in a nearby shop: Coke Zero with lemon. I’ve never seen them back in the States, which feels like a personal injustice. They’re so good I briefly considered ditching my carefully packed bag and filling the space with nothing but soda bottles. Honestly, it would’ve been the most on‑brand souvenir I could bring home.
Flight Cancelled
Then came the curveball: after several delays my flight was cancelled. British Airways handled it well, immediately emailing instructions for booking a hotel and submitting reimbursement. Since I’d already planned to overnight in London for my morning connection, this just meant my “airport hotel” would be in Edinburgh instead.
I booked a nearby hotel on my phone while walking there, got a few hours of sleep, and was back at the airport before dawn for my rescheduled 6 am flight.
Delays & Heathrow
That flight? Delayed. Then delayed again. We finally took off after 8 am, which meant my 10 a.m. connection at Heathrow was impossible. The airline automatically rebooked me for a flight two hours later.
If you’ve never connected through Heathrow, know this: changing terminals involves a bus ride that eats up precious time. The silver lining was having enough of a layover to grab a meal in the lounge (thank you, credit card perks).
While there, I noticed a steady stream of people asking to take photos with an older gentleman seated nearby. Apparently, he was a famous golfer. I had no idea who he was, but I did take a photo for a couple of fans. He was lovely.
Exit Row Win
When my new flight was called, I was thrilled to see I’d been assigned an exit row seat – one of those with nothing in front but open space. Perfect for stretching out on a nine‑hour flight. The only downside? It quickly became a gathering spot for passengers waiting for the restroom. I wasn’t about to complain about the bonus leg room, but sleeping bolt‑upright in an aisle seat is its own kind of endurance test. Thankfully, my Trtl neck pillow kept me from nodding off into the drink cart.
Pro Tip: On my flight to Europe, I wore compression socks I found on Amazon and thought, meh, didn’t notice much. So I skipped them on the way home. Big mistake. Halfway over the Atlantic my calves felt tight, and by baggage claim my feet were tingling. At home, I realized my legs had actually swollen. Lesson learned: compression socks are now non‑negotiable for any long‑haul flight.
The Bag That Stayed Behind
The flight home was smooth, but my checked bag didn’t make it. The airline insisted it was in London, but my AirTag told a different story – it was still in Scotland. I guess it wasn’t ready to come home yet. Thankfully, they located it, put it on the next flight, and had it delivered to my door the following day.
If you’re not already tossing an AirTag in your bag before a trip, consider this your friendly nudge to start.
Final Thoughts
This “last day” turned into a 36‑hour journey home, complete with bonus sightseeing, unexpected delays, and a few travel lessons learned.
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: solo‑ish travel gives you the freedom to pivot. To grab a last‑minute castle ticket. To wander down an unfamiliar street. To roll with a cancelled flight and still find the silver linings.
And sometimes, the trip doesn’t really end until your suitcase catches up with you.
FAQ: Bonus Day in Edinburgh & The Journey Home
What is Stasher, and how does it work? Stasher is a luggage storage app that connects you with hotels, shops, and cafés where you can safely leave your bags for a few hours or the whole day. It’s perfect for bonus sightseeing time before a late flight. Pro tip: if you’re storing one bag, store them all – your back will thank you.
Is the Royal Yacht Britannia worth visiting? Yes! It’s a fascinating glimpse into royal life at sea. The state apartments are elegant but surprisingly understated, and the crew quarters show the ship’s working side. Even a quick visit feels like stepping into history.
How much time should I allow for Holyrood Palace? Plan for at least 1–2 hours. The palace interiors are ornate, and the ruins of Holyrood Abbey are hauntingly beautiful. If you love history or photography, you could easily linger longer.
Can you visit Edinburgh Castle last‑minute? Yes, sometimes. Tickets often sell out, but it’s worth checking the website for last‑minute slots. I snagged one with just 30 minutes’ notice. If you’re short on time, focus on highlights like the Crown Jewels and panoramic views.
What’s the best way to get to Edinburgh Airport? The tram is convenient and drops you close to the entrance. Just make sure you buy the special airport ticket – inspectors do check.
Any tips for connecting through Heathrow?
- Allow extra time – changing terminals involves a bus ride.
- Expect long security lines.
- If you have lounge access, use it – it makes delays more bearable.
- Don’t panic if your flight is rebooked; the system usually auto‑assigns you to the next available option.
What’s the deal with compression socks? They’re a must for long‑haul flights. I skipped them on the way home and ended up with swollen legs. Lesson learned: they’re now non‑negotiable in my carry‑on.
How do AirTags help with luggage? AirTags (or similar trackers) let you see where your bag actually is. When the airline insisted mine was in London, my AirTag showed it was still in Scotland. That peace of mind is worth the small investment.
What’s the biggest takeaway from this travel day? Flexibility is everything. From bonus sightseeing to cancelled flights, solo‑ish travel is about rolling with the chaos and finding silver linings – whether that’s a castle visit, a Coke Zero with lemon, or an exit row seat.
Solo-ish Journeys 
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