IF things had gone differently a couple of months ago, then an overnight trip to Edinburgh could have involved all manner of practical difficulties.

Happily for me and my seven-year-old son, the Scots voted that we are indeed, Better Together, and so it was simply a case of hopping on the East Coast Main Line in Darlington, and two peaceful hours later, hopping off at Edinburgh Waverley, slap bang in the centre of the city.

Even happier, our hotel, the Mercure, was just five minutes walk away along Princes Street, meaning that even with an over-packed suitcase and over-excited child in tow, the journey from start to finish was no more troublesome than a day trip to Newcastle.

The Mercure is ideally placed for a day or two in Edinburgh. Opposite Princes Street Gardens and above Marks and Spencer, the main attractions are all within easy walking distance. Currently undergoing refurbishment, the hotel was clean and spacious, with friendly staff and fantastic views of the castle – particularly impressive when floodlit at night.

Our room in particular was superb, recently redecorated with a sumptuous king-sized bed, walk-in shower (complete with mural of the coastline) and, the piece de resistance, a balcony. The seven-year-old was most impressed with this, giving me palpitations as he leaned over the edge for a better look, although, being October in Scotland, even he didn’t linger for too long.

After dumping our bags, we set off for the Museum of Childhood, a 15-minute walk away on the Royal Mile. Here, we spent a happy hour reminiscing about the toys I had when I were a lass (me) and counting and identifying the hundreds models of toy cars on display (my son). The only disappointment was that all the interactive displays were out of order, but, for a free museum, that’s a minor quibble.

Soon, my son’s thoughts turned, as ever, to food, so it was back along Princes Street to Pizza Express. Even though it was dark out by this time, the shops were all open to 8pm, and the hotel’s location meant that, even though we were walking through a strange city after dark, the atmosphere was never less than friendly and welcoming.

After a good night’s sleep and a fantastic breakfast – what child (or adult) could resist a buffet featuring sausages, bacon and beans – we braved the cold and the wind to visit Edinburgh Castle.

More like a hilltop village than a single building, the castle features a variety of attractions, including military museums, the Scottish crown jewels and the old prison, not to mention breathtaking views over the city itself. We were also lucky enough to be there for the firing of the famous One O’clock Gun, fired at 1pm every day except Christmas Day and Good Friday. The castle could easily take up the best part of a day, and to avoid spending up to half an hour of that queuing, the best tip is to book tickets online and collect them from the self-service kiosk.

Unfortunately for us, our train was beckoning, so, after stopping for souvenirs and to collect our bags, it was back to Waverley station to set off back home. The train journey from Edinburgh through Northumberland to Darlington is one of my favourites, and I tried, with varying degrees of success, to tempt my son to look up from his Fifa game to admire Holy Island and Berwick, as well as the rugged coastline and eerie desolation characteristic of this part of the world.

Back home, it was clear that 36 hours was nowhere near long enough to give Edinburgh the time and attention it deserves. Lucky, then, that for the foreseeable future, it’s still such a straightforward prospect. Thanks for staying with us.

TRAVEL FACTS

Prices at the Mercure Edinburgh start at £85 for a standard double room, breakfast not included. For details visit mercureedinburgh.co.uk.

Sian travelled by train with East Coast: standard advance returns from North-East stations to London, booked online at eastcoast.co.uk, start from £28: times and fares also on 03457 225225, or from staffed stations and booking agents.

To book tickets for Edinburgh Castle, visit edinburghcastle.gov.uk. Tickets cost £16 for adults and £9.60 for children.