For my Rosenkrantz Discovery trip, I ventured to Edinburgh, Scotland to explore this epicenter of the history of medicine and science. The city was very different from my hometown of Boston in more ways than one--the weather was fairly chilly each day (although I can't say I missed the humidity of Boston in August) and almost all of the sites I visited were a 20-minute walk from one another. I quickly fell in love with the accessibility and charm of Edinburgh's winding, cobblestone streets.
While in Edinburgh, it's difficult for one to forget the huge role that the Scottish Enlightenment played in shaping Edinburgh's past and present, if not only because of the Enlightenment-era architecture that the entire city showcases. Almost all of the sites I visited were either built-up during, or influenced by, this period and its great minds, such as Adam Smith, David Hume, and William Cullen.
To begin my trip, I climbed Arthur's Seat to get a broad view of the city, followed by taking an historical tour of Edinburgh's famous underground vaults. I then visited the Edinburgh Castle to learn about the Wars of Scottish Independence to get a better idea of the history and culture of the city. Next, I explored the Science and Technology exhibitions at the National Museum of Scotland, followed by a visit to the Royal College of Physicians, where I explored the library and toured the beautiful grounds of the college. At the National Portrait Gallery, I learned about significant Scottish World War I figures, including physicians, and explored the phrenological head depictions of well-known individuals like Burke and Hare. I then made my way to the Royal Botanic Gardens, where I learned about the role of biodiversity in Scotland amidst beautiful collections of flowers and plants. At the National Library of Scotland, I checked out the John Murray Archive, where I read through a number of letters Darwin wrote to Murray, his publisher. Finally, I ended my trip with Calton Hill, a breathtaking space featuring the National Monument of Scotland, the City Observatory, and the site of David Hume's burial place.
I will highlight some of my favorite moments from my trip on this blog, but please feel free to ask any questions you might have about the sites I visited, or just Edinburgh in general! I'm really looking forward to hearing about all of your travels, as well.
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| Royal Botanic Garden |
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| Calton Hill |
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| Arthur's Seat |
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