Bees Cafe/bar

It was whilst leaving the mysteries of Greyfriars Kirkyard behind that I stumbled upon one of Edinburgh's hidden gems - Bees bar and cafe. Tucked away on Candlemaker Row, this delightful and rather quaint resting place offered some much needed sustenance on what had been a somewhat warming wander around the Kirkyard. The atmosphere inside Bees is both friendly and welcoming, equalled only by the genuine smiles of its staff. One cannot fail to be tempted by the mouthwatering display of homemade cakes, and I have to admit to falling under the spell of a more than delicious chocolate cake. Feeling I should maybe go all the way and accompany this with a Hendricks gin and tonic, I felt somewhat decadent sitting back and surveying the world as it passed by the window. And pass by the window it certainly did!! Hurtling down the hill in a rickshaw driven by a rather manic-looking gentleman, were a bride and groom, resplendent in their wedding regalia, veil billowing behind in the wind amid shrieks of laughter. Following in hot pursuit were three bridesmaids in another rickshaw, looking somewhat more tentative but nonetheless obviously enjoying what can only be described as an exhilarating experience in the early spring sunshine. No, this actually happened - it was not the gin taking over. A steady stream of wedding guests sauntered down the hill at a more sedentary pace, amongst them some incredibly handsome gentlemen complete with the obligatory kilt. Almost as pleasing as the chocolate cake, one was almost praying for a sudden gust of wind to lend a hand and give a quick glimpse of manly nakedness. Oh what naughty thoughts on a lovely afternoon. Maybe the gin was having an effect after all! If you find yourself in this part of the city, call in for a drink and a bite to eat. They have a lovely range of snacks, teas, coffee, a good selection of whisky, and all their beers
are brewed in Edinburgh. There are plenty of board games on hand to help while away a lazy hour or two. Unless, of course, you prefer to keep your eyes firmly fixed on the window and all that goes on outside. And if you have children with you, they will no doubt be attracted to the wonderful shark cave where they can transport themselves to their very own undersea world. Another very good reason to stop and take the weight off your feet ......