I'd been to Edinburgh once before, but I'll be honest, my memories are a little hazy.
This was 2014, it was a friend's stag do, we took part in a mini Highlands Games, and there was also a bar that had sand on the floor. Aside from that, there wasn't too much to report bar what normally happens on stag do's.
Fast forward to 2019, and I was set to make an Edinburgh trip, this time with work. With regards anxiety, I wasn't too bad beforehand (I often suffer with anticipation anxiety), and I think a lot of this was due to the fact that I only found out a few days before, that I was going. I often find that if I don't have much notice before an event, I don't work myself up as much. This is often reflected in my travelling itinerary...planning is overrated.
I've been on a few work trips, and they're genuinely quite boozy. It seems to be a given that alcohol must be consumed as you soon as you depart the office, especially in Britain. As I've mentioned numerous times, hangovers, and the feelings associated with said hangovers, are one of my biggest anxiety triggers. I wasn't sure what this trip would bring.
I headed up to Edinburgh early evening, a 4.5 hour train journey ahead of me, which initially didn't sound great. It quickly got better though, as I found out we were travelling first class! This might not sound like a big deal to some, but for this humble Welshman, it meant a lot. I don't think I've ever travelled this way (I did get upgraded to business class once on a trip to New York, which was also awesome), and the thoughts of free small cans of Diet Coke were enough to keep me motivated during this long journey.
It wasn't just free Diet Coke, there were also free crisps and a free hot meal. I'm incredibly easily pleased.
We arrived in Edinburgh, and our hotel was a short walk from the station. I love hotels. I'm not quite sure why, but the majority of times they fill me with happiness. This hotel was lovely, and was set in a great location. I have no idea what it costs as work paid for it, but I'd definitely recommend if you ever make a visit. We were staying in the connected building, and the room was smartly decorated, with a powerful shower and one hell of a bed! I've attached a few photos of the room and the bar area downstairs.
The first night was very low key. We met for a quick pint with some of the others who had travelled up separately, said our hello's, and headed back (via a chip shop I should point out.).
I love sleep, but the first night wasn't great for one of my favourite pastimes. It was unfeasibly hot in the room, even after opening the window, and after a few hours of restlessness, I realised the air con had been turned up all the way. I know Scotland has a reputation for being cold, but this was pushing it. This did the trick, and I managed to get a few hours in. Even with said love of sleep, it’s scary the tricks anxiety sometimes plays. You could be exhausted, and your brain is like ‘nope’, not happening. You begin thinking why isn’t it happening, and before you know it you’ve moved around the bed 87 times, 3 hours have passed, and you’re up for work imminently.
The next morning, I was up far too early, but boy was it worth it. We met for breakfast, and headed for the summit of one of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks, Arthur’s Seat. David Arthur Grimble on Arthur’s Seat felt a tiny bit poetic, but this was before I realised how bloody difficult it would be!
My fitness has really suffered since coming back to London. I work quite late most nights, so by the time I get home and eat, it’s usually 9.30pm. I did splurge on an exercise bike for my room, but I’ll be honest, most of the time it acts as a clothes hanger for the other half. Ideally I’d do some before work, but as mentioned far too often, I love sleep and find it really difficult to do exercise before I head into the office.
Anyways, back to Edinburgh, Arthur, and his seat. The walk to where the path to the summit began was long enough, then I saw what was ahead of me! We took the easiest route but even that difficult considering how unfit I am. The path can get quite steep at times, and I was soon out of breath, struggling to keep up with some of the others in the party. With regards anxiety and exercise (increased heartrate etc), I’ve usually been alright, but did have a big panic attack when playing football a few years ago.
So, while I felt a bit light-headed, it was more lack of fitness that was bothering me, and not anxiety. I also, stupidly, forgot to bring water with me, and that was playing on my mind. It’s amazing how much a crutch can help you at times. I’m sure carrying water with me would have made me more comfortable, and I cannot recommend enough to bring adequate supplies on this trip.
Even though I’m making this trip sound like Everest, it probably only took us an hour there and back. As for the view at the top, wow. We were blessed with a sunny day, and goodness me, the views were incredible! I’ve included a few photos from the walk, including one of me hoping my cap wouldn’t fall off in the high winds.
We headed back to the hotel, quick shower and then headed to a wonderful little pub called 'Doctors' where the OB (outside broadcast) was taking place. I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned earlier in the piece, but we were actually in Edinburgh during the Fringe, a two-week festival of comedy, theatre, music and attended by hundreds of thousands! This meant everywhere was considerably busier than normal, and hopefully you can get a feel for the amount of people in the photos.
This OB was sponsored, so there were a lot of people there, and I was kept incredibly busy looking after our social media needs. The three-hour show featured a plethora of well-known comedians, and following a post shift drink, we headed back to the hotel, before reconvening a while later.
I’m not great with alcohol. I’ve actually had an allergy test which shows I’m 90% allergic to it, yet remarkably, this hasn’t stopped me drinking. Couple this with the fact that hangovers are arguably my biggest trigger, and it’s amazing I haven’t made the decision to be teetotal. Social drinking is tough for me though, or rather saying no to social drinking is. I’m naturally quite quiet, and alcohol helps with this. Adding to the fact was that I didn’t know a lot of these people, so a few pints helped me loosen up.
We all met in a Frankenstein themed bar (take a look at the hourly show underneath!), before heading to an Ibiza symphony concert as one of the guys in the party had managed to score tickets. I love music, but dance isn’t up there with my favourite genres, but I recognise the bangers, and I was super excited to check this out. It didn’t disappoint. Banger after banger, combined with an orchestra just works, and while everyone decided to leave during the interval, I was having too much fun and decided to stay on my own, awkwardly dancing for the next hour on my own. This wonderful review sums the event up perfectly.
I was steadily drinking, and was soon at the point where I knew I wanted to continue with it. After getting lost (I’m normally good with directions though this should have been a sign of my ever-increasing journey from Soberville), I met the rest of the guys, who decided they wanted to go for a curry. Curry is great, but it wasn’t what I needed at this time. Two of the group (a wonderful gay couple) were continuing to drink, and we ended up at Edinburgh’s most well-known gay bar (I think), CC Blooms.
A great time was had in here, and I headed back to the hotel a while later. I woke up with a double quarter-pounder from McDonald’s uneaten in my room (not a euphemism), and I won’t lie, I’d felt better.
We headed back to the pub for day two of the OB, and the long train ride back down to London came more or less immediately after. If the journey up was delightful, the return, not so much. We were still in first class, but I just needed to get back to bed in London. Not even the small diet cokes could help me. My anxiety was super high, and I tried to do what I could to distract me. The train was naturally delayed, and we eventually returned to London 5 or so hours later.
My wonderful other-half had just finished her last day at work before starting a new job, and wanted to meet for a drink, but I was in no fit state to, more mentally than physically. I got home, laid down, and could finally chill. Exhausted was an understatement, but looking back now, Edinburgh was worth it.
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