I'm back to my laptop after a lively, learning-filled weekend in Scotland.In the time it takes to drive from Bloomington to Chicago (for goodness sake!), our train from Lancaster, England presented us at Waverly Station in Edinburgh, Scotland.
This shows me at a statue to commemorate Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We may have been near Baker Street but I really couldn't tell you as we were pretty lost at the time! We glanced up and said, "Oh, look! There's a statue of Sherlock Holmes!"
An enlightening bus tour of the city informed us that Queen Elizabeth II herself was in her official Scottish residence in The Palace of Holyroodhouse for the week. We couldn't take a tour since Her Majesty was using it for official banquets, investitures, and other affairs to which we weren't invited, but we tried not to be too disappointed since we didn't have enough time anyway.
And later, after dinner on St. Andrew's Square, we had quite an adventure during a rain-soaked evening on foot and finally in an adorable black, boxy Scottish taxi seeking a bed & breakfast in which to get a night's sleep.
The next morning, a ride on Scotrail took us through the Highlands, treating us to hilly green countryside, grazing sheep, stone buildings with slate roofs, and inviting towns along the way with names like Kirkaldy, Markinch, Pitlochry, Blair Athol, and Aviemore (my favorite) with names also written in Gaelic.
Over the course of two days at Inverness, the "capital" of the Highlands, we experineced a boat cruise on beautiful Loch Ness (yes, you may need to enlarge that photo just to take a closer look at that little speck!) to the ruins of Urquhart Castle, a tour of a tartan-weaving and kilt-making shop, castles, cathedrals, a stay in an elegantly beautiful B&B, visits with Highlanders in a pub and in a coffee shop, and (a lot of!) shopping.
6 comments:
It sounds like you are on a great adventure. Thanks for sharing your pictures and thoughts. Can't wait to hear about St. Andrews. I bet it was awesome.
Enjoy your final week by soaking in as much culture as you can!
Must've been a chilly weekend, eh? Your coat in the last picture looks thick!
It is SO COOL that you went to Scotland. I love the pictures and hearing about the great things you saw.
And what the heck's an investiure??
Oh, yes. Chilly and rainy. It was especially nippy on the boat and a good thing I had some warm clothes.
I actually had on 5 layers! Much sunnier in St. Andrews. Stay tuned! :)
You are doing a BEAUTIFUL job taking pictures to post!!! It's almost like being there! Well done!
A small clarification, though: Baker Street is not in Edinburgh -- Arthur Conan Doyle was BORN in Edinburgh but he lived in London when he wrote his Sherlock Holmes stories and 221b Baker Street is in London -- it's now the SHerlock Holmes Museum.
So glad you're doing this blog, Nancy. Your "notes from abroad" are filled w/ wonder and appreciation. Thank you!
I just am catching up with your two part report...I agree that your pictures are beautiful and I am so enjoying them., Brought back thoughts about when Jim went to Ireland/Scotland early on. Remember the sweater??
How I would love to go with you the next time you go...bet you will have some takers. Continue to enjoy every minute...Luv ya YaYa
I am SO GLAD we didn't spend a lot of time searching for Baker Street! :)
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