Grey Haired Travellers

It’s our last day in Scotland.  Definitely have to come back and spend more time so we can go further north, but will save that for a better time of the year when it’s not so cold.  Headed off this morning taking the coast road around Fife after crossing the Firth of Forth on a huge bridge.  Travelled up to Dundee – didn’t stop for a game of golf at St. Andrews as the wind was so strong any ball moving more than two feet off the ground would have ended up in the North Sea.  Dundee was interesting but big – owes its history to the jute industry and whaling.

Drove on from there to Perth.  The smaller the towns get the more appealing they are.  Had to follow my nose on to Crieff a very pretty town as well as being the home of The Famous Grouse Whiskey (my favourite at the time).  After an interesting distillery tour we hopped back into the car (with a bottle tucked under my arm) headed back to Edinburgh via Stirling from the west completing the loop.  Quite and easy and pleasant days drive.

What’s the difference between Scottish Whisky and Irish Whiskey? The “e”.

After visiting The Royal Yacht Britannia we then travelled on to Holyroodhouse (huh! Since when did a castle become a house?).  It’s the Queen’s residence when she is in Scotland, and of course no visit to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle.  We covered these three in a huge two days, but the Scots sure have their act together when it comes to getting tourists sorted out.  From the centre of the city we boarded the hop on hop off bus, which was a chosen mode of transport in every city we visited in order to orientate us with the city. These buses do various loops of the city covering all the major attractions.  Different coloured buses for the different tour.  One ticket covers them all. 

The Grass Markets, named because only grass fed animals were sold there in its heyday (pun intended) was very quiet.  It is now used a very popular spot for the younger crowd, after dark, probably due to the amount of pubs aligning the area.

Was keen to get some of my ancestors tartan but the prices were a little bit over the top.

Architecture in Edinburgh is mainly sandstone buildings from the very modern back to Gothic era and beyond.  Very attractive city with stacks of appeal.  Could easily stay here longer.  The girl who works in the souvenir shop at Holyroodhouse comes from Newcastle Australia.  She came for a holiday five years ago and is still here.  The history is amazing with so many famous people coming from here no wonder the English wanted it so much.

And what was it that the Scots were complaining about the most?  Was it the weather, the cost of living, world health?  No! It was that ultra modern new Parliament Building.  It’s just not right! One said.  Doesn’t belong here!  Although I admire modern architecture, I must agree it a little out of place.