Scotland the Brave

From York we headed north to Scotland. First stop Edinburgh.

Our accommodation in Edinburgh was a serviced apartment. On arrival they lost points because they had no didn't have a car space in their parking area for us. So we had to navigate to the parking area. It was only 2 or 3 blocks away - but that's a long way when you are dragging your bags. We ended up decanting just what we needed for the night into our carry on bags. Then the lift wasn't working. We felt cross about that until we saw the cleaners dragging the bags of linen up the stairs the next morning. It was much worse for them than for us!

But all of this was forgotten when we opened one of the doors in our nice fitted kitchen and found - a washer dryer! After several days traveling that was like finding a pot of gold!

We managed two full loads of washing - once Grant had the idea to download the manual from the Internet. Clean clothes - hooray!

Just time to walk along the Royal Mile and choose somewhere to eat. We found a spot that had a whisky tasting option for Grant. 4 little glasses with all kinds of scotch - at least one of them was really smoky.

In the morning the must see for us was Edinburgh castle. So back up the Royal mile navigating our way past all the shops selling tartan everything. We did give in and purchase a scarf for Grant in Murray tartan - which turns out to be the one that the Fleming name of his heritage falls under.

We took the free tour of the castle. I must say I can see why Victoria moved the royal family to balmoral. The thing about a castle with a good defensive position is that it is going to be very    
exposed to the weather! The wind was blowing pretty strongly when we were there (naturally it was
raining a little as well). I was quite nervous about standing too close to the edge...

We got to see the Scottish Crown Jewels - which seem to have spent quite a bit of time in hiding in various places. The great hall had an impressive array of weapons and a demonstration of some of them - which was interesting. Also the guide told us that the cannon there were not the original cannon from the castle - as they were all destroyed as part of the demilitarization of Scotland following the Jacobite rebellion. When Queen Vic came to visit, they thought they might need some weaponry - so recycled some ships cannon that were surplus to requirements at the time.

I think the Royal highlanders are still based there - just in case the Scots decide to rebel one more time.

We also manage a walk around another park on the top of a hill that is filled with large buildings
whose purpose appears to be purely decorative.   Including a

Then it was off to Dundee. Really Dundee is all about meeting up with Dani - but as a bonus it turns out to be a nice little town. We have a lovely grand old Best Western hotel - reminiscent of the Duke of Cornwall in Plymouth - with a downstairs bar. One of our favourite features. We are right up in the top - almost an attic room.

Dundee turns out to be full of great restaurants and cafes all of which are within a short walk. Lucky because the wind and rain are fierce again on Friday night.

On Saturday morning Dani introduces us to the Tinsmith cafe for breakfast - which turns out to be a favourite of ours. We try haggis in our breakfast - turns out to be like a spicy rissole. We love the
porridge though and this is what brings us back for the other days of our stay.

On Saturday we head to the Discovery - a ship built in Dundee for Scott's first expedition to

Antarctica. It is a really well done exhibition. The ship really gives you a good idea of the life on board for the 2 year expedition.    

Then there is a walk to the top of the hill - but I whimp out part way up. Dad and daughter make it to the top and are rewarded with great views including a war memorial.

That night we eat in The Beer Kitchen which is a new restaurant - I think it is as good as the River Cottage Canteen.

On Sunday Dani has a hockey final in Glasgow so Grant and Dani are off to do that. Dani has been suffering with a cold and thinks she will be barely able to play. But somehow she manages to find some reserves of energy and has a great game.

I have a lovely day exploring the Dundee shops. Lots of shopping - very little buying. Prices see to be much the same in NUMBERS as they are at home - which makes pretty much everything Bout twice as expensive as it would be to buy in Australia. But it is nice to see all the shops nonetheless.

The next day is the departure from Dundee. Dani has a lot of sorting to do as she is aiming to send some Winter clothes home with us - but also needs to take clothes with her for our journey. This proves to be a difficult task - but she manages it in the end.

At my request we go to Glamis castle - largely because of the Queen Mother connection. The NAVMAN has a fit of eccentricity and sends us down a series of one lane unsealed tracks in the rain. Luckily grant and the Merc cope.

At Glamis the chap who is supposed to sell us tickets is a bit preoccupied because he is arranging a funeral service for the Laird who passed away recently. When we do find hi he is very friendly. The arrangement here is tstricly guided tours - so we are lucky to arrive just after one starts.

From trout side the castle has a fairytale look. Inside it has started life as a typical tower house with thick walls and vaults and been added to over the years. The walls are thick with portraits and there is so much of interest in every room it's hard to take it all in. Mum would have loved it. I can't remember whether mum and Dad went when they did a UK trip. The queen mum's mum was a China collector - so there is lots of China everywhere as well.  The other thing that intrigues me is a plaster over mantle featuring two naked couples  fairly crudely depicted. No photography inside the house.

We try to stop inScone for a scone but can't find a cafe and end up in Perth.

Then on to Loch Lomond. Grant drives us along the side of the loch so we have some lovely views featuring snow capped mountains. As driver he doesn't really get to see much. It has been a long day by the time we arrive at the B&B in Alexandria at the base of the loch.

Just time to walk to a local restaurant - the Stables for a yummy dinner and then shoehorn into our tiny room it is impressive that the couple running the B&B have managed to fit 5 ensuing rooms - including ours which accommodates 3 into their suburban house. Everything is run with great efficiency. The host is a military man and the paraphernalia in the house includes a genuine periscope.

Our last stop in Scotland is Stirling castle. The highlight for me here is the carved wooden ceilings which have been restored and painted in bright colors to match their original presentation. There are also people in Tudor costume to explain things in the Royal apartments. It is rounded off with a visit to the local regimental museum.

So it's farewell to Scotland and back into England. I would like to see more of Scotland. Hopefully there will be another opportunity.