My best-friend is getting married in August and she recently celebrated her hen party in Edinburgh.
So if you’ve found this article 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 a wealth of attractions with a dash of romanticism to set the tone for a big pre-wedding weekend, look no further than Scotland’s capital city.
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. (Though soon to be Verity Minton).
The bride-to-be
We both grew-up in Yorkshire. 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 hasn”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. We’ve been through the whole gamut of growing older – surviving school, crushes, first loves, new jobs, break-ups, graduating uni, leaving home, having babies (Verity, not me just yet) – 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. Short but sweet.
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. I couldn’t help but notice the sound of high heels and suitcases reverberating off the cobbled stones.
Hotel in Edinburgh
Initially we had planned to stay in apartments on Princess Street. However, 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). It’s a bigger hotel to cater to 30-odd women.
I’d recommend it for big groups like ours because the location is great. It’s close by to the train station and it overlooks the river. There’s a large lobby that also proved to be very useful as a meeting point. After you’ve all finished getting ready in separate rooms in the morning or before a night out, a well-appointed meeting point is essential. FYI, some of us took longer than others to get ready! As least the ones who had to wait, had comfy seats.
When we were thinking of things to do, a lot of ideas were thrown around. How about a cocktail mixing class? Spa treatments? Whiskey tasting? Though all great options, most of us had already done these activities before. In the end 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 squawking strangers celebrating a hen party!
The tour lasted 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 came with a selection of small sandwiches, and an array of scrumptious desserts. The desserts included traditional clotted cream scones, chocolate buns, and macaroons (my favourite!).
Once the tour was over, and after one or two Proseccos had loosened 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. Those who wanted to explore the city more went one way, while another group descended into a bar to consume more nibbles and cocktails.
To be expected, I opted for the sightseeing crew. I’m not a big drinker and the idea of drinking in the afternoon made me slightly fearful of a raging hang-over the next day. Also, I knew I’d be drinking later so the cocktails could wait. Very sensible of me, I know.
We decided to mooch up the Royal Mile to the 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…
I also recommend pottering over to Calton Hill for some of the best views of the city. At the top 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.
Related: The Ancient Monuments of Athens – A History Lover’s Guide
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. Edinburgh is great place to do that.
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. Alternatively, if you prefer to have designer names under one roof, head over to Harvey Nichols by Saint Andrew Square.
In the city you’ll also find a selection of boutique and independent shops. These places are perfect if you’re looking for one-off pieces. For example, if you’re into streetwear and understated garments, you’ll absolutely love Epitome.
You might also like: 10 Fabulous Things to Do in Edinburgh
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?
This 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 and swanky experience.
The place was filled with cherry blossom and the mirrored walls and opulent chandeliers made an impression. It couldn’t have looked any prettier. Not wanting to be outdone were the cocktails. A range of delightful concoctions and instagrammable garnishes set the tone for a super sweet and cheeky night.
Now we have the wedding to look forward to… x
If you’re looking for more things to do in Edinburgh, get inspiration from these pre-bookable tours.
Are you planning a hen party in Edinburgh?
If you still haven’t made up your mind, you might also find my blog about a hen party in Madrid. It’s good to have options, right?
