25 Unique Feelings You Only Have In Edinburgh

Edinburgh, we love you.

1. Nervous, frothy excitement...

...when you finally pluck up enough courage (and enough spare change) to ride the 60-metre-high Star Flyer ride in Princes Street Gardens.

2. Light-headed amazement...

...when you climb to the top of the Braid Hills and see the whole city spread out before you.

3. Impulsive, fizzy glee...

...when the Festival is about to begin and you look through the brochure trying to decide what to see.

4. A deep sense of relief...

...when the Festival finally ends, all the tourists leave and you get the parks, streets, and outdoor spaces to yourself again.

5. Rapt, dreamy fascination...

...when you walk through the amazing glasshouses at the Botanic Gardens on a sunny day. Admit it: you've always wanted to take a nap on one of those lily pads.

6. Sheer giddy bliss...

...on the first day of the year that it's warm enough to have a picnic in the Meadows (even though it isn't actually very warm).

7. A dizzying sense of history...

...when you explore Edinburgh's hidden, ancient closes, trying desperately not to get lost.

8. Delighted astonishment...

...whenever you see this awe inspiring view at South Queensferry.

9. Teeth-grinding jealousy...

...when you go for a stroll down Dean Park Mews in Stockbridge. Who actually lives in those cute houses? Why don't you live in those cute houses? It's not fair.

10. Childlike awe...

...when Princes Street Gardens transform into a true Winter Wonderland at the end of November.

11. A sense of total, buoyant freedom...

...when you head to the Pentland Hills for a much needed adventure.

12. Flustered, jittery anticipation...

...when you sit near the front at the Stand. You basically have no choice because it's tiny. But what if the comedian picks on you?

13. Calm, reflective joy...

...when you watch the sun go down over Newhaven Harbour on a warm summer's evening.

14. Gleeful impatience...

...whenever you visit amazing cake shop Lovecrumbs. "I need chocolate bramble cake, and I need it right now."

15. Exhilarating, jittery fear...

...when you visit Greyfriar's Kirkyard at night. Don't go in the Black Mausoleum: the person who took this photo was never seen again (probably).

16. Dazzled admiration...

Entry contributed by Twitter: @giryclaire

...when the sun goes down on a summer's evening and the buildings in the city suddenly turn bright gold.

17. Restless, tingly delight...

...when you visit the Grassmarket's gorgeous stalls on the hunt for a bargain.

18. Happy confusion...

...when you turn round a corner while walking along the Union Canal and somehow end up in a Cotswolds village. You'd never think you were in the city centre.

19. Sun-soaked euphoria...

H/t Twitter: @davidmcnaughton

...when the band play "Sunshine on Leith" at Leith Gala Day and everyone stands up. It's pretty much the Leither national anthem.

20. Bright, sparkling exhilaration...

...when you watch fireworks burst over the castle and light up the Edinburgh skyline at Hogmanay. Bliadhna Mhath Ùr!

21. A weird sense of travelling back in time...

...when you climb Calton Hill at Beltane. It's an arts event rather than a reenactment, but the drums, fire (and body paint) make it feel like a real ancient Celtic ritual.

22. Determined enthusiasm...

...when it inevitably ends up raining during the Edinburgh Festival fireworks concert. "We've paid for these tickets, and we will enjoy it."

23. Happiness, reassurance and utter contentment...

...when you get off the train at Haymarket and smell the dense, hoppy fumes from the Caledonian Brewery. You know that you're finally home... and it's beer o'clock.

24. Skittish optimism...

...when you walk through the Meadows in March and see the trees have started to blossom. Only four more months until you can have that picnic!

25. A sudden, jolting sense of pride...

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...when you stroll up to the castle, take in the incredible view and realise, "Wow, I actually get to live here."

Edinburgh, you really are the finest city in the world.

H/t to Andrew Burnie, Dav McNaughton, Claire Giry, and Ian Dunn.