Recently, I’ve been trying out different pencils that I can easily find in Edinburgh. Unlike in Istanbul, you don’t really come across big stationery stores here. If you’re looking for something more specific, Amazon is pretty much the only option.

I think the most popular and easiest-to-find pencils in Edinburgh are the Staedtler series.

I’ve had a few of them and have been using them daily for at least five months now. Honestly, I’m surprised by the performance of the HB pencils from Staedtler. Typically, HB pencils aren’t my favorite because they’re harder to write with and not as bold as 2B pencils. But Staedtler does a good job—the writing feels comfortable, and the darkness is almost just right.

I am more of a tea person than a coffee person. I can’t give up my daily tea habit, which I enjoy from breakfast to night. In the UK, there is a wide variety of tea flavors available. Recently, I discovered a teashop in Edinburgh called Rosevear Tea. To try their offerings, I purchased Bruntsfield Breakfast Tea. While the taste was ok, it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. I will be exploring alternative flavors in the coming days.

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s iconic castles, offering a spectacular view of the Stirling area. Built in the 1500s, the castle has played a significant role throughout history.

It served as a royal residence during that time and is easily accessible from Edinburgh. With attractions such as the Royal Palace, the Great Hall, and beautiful gardens, it is definitely worth a visit.