On the first day I had my first view of the Royal Mile and wandered into the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It was so rainy & foggy on the Sunday afternoon that I arrived. The B&B manager recommended I take the bus into town, but I figured I would walk since sooner or later I needed to get familiar with the way there anyhow. Predictably, I ended up soaking wet, but it was worth it. I even got splashed by a bus that drove over a puddle of rainwater. That was more funny than annoying. I couldn't get wetter at that point.
Monday was a day trip to Fife & St. Andrews, where Prince William used to study. I took a lot of photos at St. Andrews. Here is one of them.
Then on Tuesday, there was a day trip to visit Loch Ness, Glen Coe and the Highlands. Our driver and tour guide gave us a little lesson in Gaelic, which he actually had to learn in school. For example, I learned that loch just means lake. That clarifies things. There was one called Loch Lumaigh, where the water was just so blue (as you can see for yourself below) that it was breathtaking!
Wednesday was spent entirely in Edinburgh walking up and down the Royal Mile. Highlight of the day was going through "The Real Mary King's Close." It was a little tour through a close, which just means alleyway. A costumed character led us underground where it was creepily dark and occasionally very musty smelling. It really leaves an impression of how people used to live. I remember most vividly the burst bubo of one of the mannequins. That was pretty nasty.
Thursday was prepare to go back day, so I couldn't do anymore sightseeing.Miscellaneous observations
- They have great television in Britian - BBC One, Two, Three & Four! Although I was not familiar with any of their shows, I was able to just jump in and follow the storyline. Too bad I missed Robin Hood and Jane Eyre. However, I did see a Queen Elizabeth I movie with Helen Mirren in it, I think.
- Edinburgh has a different smell from Frankfurt. Not better or worse, just different. It's hard to describe. It smells like a very old city.
- However, I don't think I could live in Edinburgh because they don't have an underground transportation system. Instead everyone takes double-decker buses to get from Point A to Point B. I don't like taking buses at all.
- Overall, my highlight has to be the Highlands.
- I resisted the temptation to buy a lot of kitsch like tartan stuff.
