Edinburgh, Scotland
In true Scottish tradition we were piped into Scotland and were given a beautiful scenic view of the Scottish countryside. I couldn't believe we were in SCOTLAND! It seemed like we were on top of the world and when you look on the map and see the where Oklahoma is and where Scotland is - we actually were on top of the world - and it felt good.
The tour bus took us into town and dropped us off on Princes Street. There is plenty of shopping there and even a McDonalds. ha Not from the Scottish McDonald Clan, but the Southern California Clan of McDonalds. I immediately grabbed a taxi and asked the cabbie, Ron, if he could take me to a certain address. Ron gave me a history lesson of Edinburgh as we drove to my destination. I couldn't believe that the one main thing I wanted to do in Britian was about to happen.
The tour bus took us into town and dropped us off on Princes Street. There is plenty of shopping there and even a McDonalds. ha Not from the Scottish McDonald Clan, but the Southern California Clan of McDonalds. I immediately grabbed a taxi and asked the cabbie, Ron, if he could take me to a certain address. Ron gave me a history lesson of Edinburgh as we drove to my destination. I couldn't believe that the one main thing I wanted to do in Britian was about to happen. I have a very dear friend, Hilda, that was born and raised in Edinburgh over 80 years ago. I asked her for the address of her childhood home. As Ron, my faithful cabbie, took me to her house he shared information with me about the neighborhood. I even stood on her doorstep/stoop and walked in her front yard. Either no one was home or they didn't mind me being there. I had Ron on my side so I wasn't scared. This is her home built in 1877. I just love it.
After busting several of my tour-mates eating lunch in McDonalds we headed to Edinburgh Castle. Our new Scottish tour guide, Bill, gave us a quick history of the city and several historic places. Here we enter the gates of the castle.
See how pretty the sky is? It wasn't long before the wind kicked up and it started to rain. Ahh Scotland. Hilda told me that it is very windy there and, of course, Mum was right. We visited the quarters of Mary, Queen of Scots and her son, James, VI. The current royal family does not stay in Edinburgh Castle; however, they do stay in Palace of Holyroodhouse, on occasion.
As you can see the view from the castle is spectacular. The water is the Firth of Froth (the closet I'll ever get to Colin Firth, I'm affraid) which goes out to the North Sea.
After busting several of my tour-mates eating lunch in McDonalds we headed to Edinburgh Castle. Our new Scottish tour guide, Bill, gave us a quick history of the city and several historic places. Here we enter the gates of the castle.
See how pretty the sky is? It wasn't long before the wind kicked up and it started to rain. Ahh Scotland. Hilda told me that it is very windy there and, of course, Mum was right. We visited the quarters of Mary, Queen of Scots and her son, James, VI. The current royal family does not stay in Edinburgh Castle; however, they do stay in Palace of Holyroodhouse, on occasion.
As you can see the view from the castle is spectacular. The water is the Firth of Froth (the closet I'll ever get to Colin Firth, I'm affraid) which goes out to the North Sea.I never miss a chance to have my picture taken with a Scotsman in a kilt.
This hill is called Arthur's Seat. It is an extinct volcano located within Holyrood Park. The name could have been derived from the legend of King Arthur or a corruption of the name "Archer's Seat" used for defense for the city.
This hill is called Arthur's Seat. It is an extinct volcano located within Holyrood Park. The name could have been derived from the legend of King Arthur or a corruption of the name "Archer's Seat" used for defense for the city.
A display of Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup can at the National Gallery of Modern Art is for us all to enjoy. What a mix of old and new.
The fun never ends in Edinburgh. Once again Scottish tradition met us with a piper to pipe us in to dinner. We enjoyed the evening by having a full Scottish dinner and entertainment. The dancers and singers were great. Everyone joins in to sing "Scotland the Brave"! Yes, I even got up and danced with dinner and entertainment members. Which I did AFTER I ate the Haggis and drank the dram of Scotch Whiskey. Ahhhh, Scotland!
The night seemed to go on forever and I didn't want it to end. But, the next morning we were on our way south to the village of Gretna Green. We stopped for tea and shopping. Long, long ago in the land of Britain men and women had to be a certain age to get married without parental consent. The age requirement in Scotland was lower than in England so the young lovers would go to Gretna Green to get married. This is the blacksmith's cottage.
These sweet cottages were across the street from the blacksmith's shop.
Good-bye my Scotland. I will truly miss you and thank-you so very much for such a wonderful experience. I loved you're fields of little bah-bah bahs, your villages and your clan folk.
I can't express in words how much this part of the tour meant to me. I can tell you there won't be a Monday that goes by that I won't think of Edinburgh. I will be back.
The fun never ends in Edinburgh. Once again Scottish tradition met us with a piper to pipe us in to dinner. We enjoyed the evening by having a full Scottish dinner and entertainment. The dancers and singers were great. Everyone joins in to sing "Scotland the Brave"! Yes, I even got up and danced with dinner and entertainment members. Which I did AFTER I ate the Haggis and drank the dram of Scotch Whiskey. Ahhhh, Scotland!
The night seemed to go on forever and I didn't want it to end. But, the next morning we were on our way south to the village of Gretna Green. We stopped for tea and shopping. Long, long ago in the land of Britain men and women had to be a certain age to get married without parental consent. The age requirement in Scotland was lower than in England so the young lovers would go to Gretna Green to get married. This is the blacksmith's cottage.
These sweet cottages were across the street from the blacksmith's shop.
Good-bye my Scotland. I will truly miss you and thank-you so very much for such a wonderful experience. I loved you're fields of little bah-bah bahs, your villages and your clan folk.
I can't express in words how much this part of the tour meant to me. I can tell you there won't be a Monday that goes by that I won't think of Edinburgh. I will be back.Ciao!
Autumn is arriving here in Oklahoma and the cold front coming through this weekend will bring Clapotis weather my way.
posted by Terri | 4:08 PM
3 Comments:
Beautiful, Terri! These pics are so wonderful. I feel like I'm getting to go there, too. Thank YOU!
Thanks or showing Hilda's house :-)
Top pf the world!!!!!Oh, no, that's Norway!
Terri, you don't mean that you actually ate in a McDonalds when you could go to so many real local places,lol. I NEVER go to McDonalds when I travel, neither do I go to the local ones here in Trondheim.....LOL
BRITT-ANRHILD - NOOOOOO WAAAAY!
The universal travel rule as I know it is that you do not eat in a restaurant that you can eat at home. I ate at a local place and just sat in McDonalds out of the rain.
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