And Finally Scotland

The next morning 30 of the group headed for Scotland from Pine Lakes Resort.  Sorry to leave, but looking forward to the new adventure.  As we crossed the Border, there's a welcome station called Gretna Green.  This was famous for runaway weddings. In 1754 Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act came into force in England and Wales, but didn't apply to Scotland.  In Scotland, a Boy of 14 and girls at 12 could marry with or without parental consent.  In England and Wales, you had to have parental consent if you were under 21 yrs of age.

In Gretna Green, Welcome to Scotland

One of the daily marriages here.

Next stop, Edinburgh.  We're just around 3 pm when we get there, so we have a bus tour of the city.  It's raining, some but not hard.

Edinburgh Castle

The sun will come out tomorrow!

  That evening we have a lesson in making kilts and then free for the evening.  Had dinner on Rose Street.  Many, Many restaurants to choose from, even TGI Fridays.  We chose a local pub called the Black Rose.

 Since we weren't leaving until 9 or so, the next morning Bob and I walked up the street to the top of Calton  Hill  to where the Nelson Monument and the National Monument of Scotland are.

View from Calton Hill of Edinburgh

Nelson Monument on Calton Hill

National Monument memorial to soldiers and sailors form Scotland who perished in the Napoleonic Wars

Scott Monument  Victorian memorial in honor of the writer Sir Walter Scott 

We then board the bus to properly tour the city with a visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official residence in Scotland.  This was once the home to Mary Queen of Scots, and Edinburgh Castle, Then to the Port of Leith, to the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Inside the courtyard

Remains of the Arches that would have been part of the Monastery

Entering Edinburgh Castle  A complete city to protect the city

Just one of the many buildings inside the complex

One of the fireplaces in the Great Hall

Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, also known as the Royal Yacht Britannia, is the former royal yacht of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in service from 1954 until 1997. The Britannia was 412 ft in length and 52 ft. high. 

The Bloodhound was owned by the Royal family and sailed with the Britannia down to the West Indies for the only true vacations that the British Royal Family would have

  After all the touring, we headed to Stirling for 3 nights.   In Stirling, we had a free day for us to do what we wanted.  Bob and I headed for Stirling Castle.  The tickets were provided by the tour company, but we could tour at our leisure.

Stirling Castle is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland. It dates back from early 12th century with present buildings being built between 1490 and 1600. Before the English conquest, this was the home of many Scottish Kings and Queens, including Mary Queen of Scots

Shot of Stirling Castle from The Wallace Monument

Wallace Monument

 Wallace Monument was built to  honor  William Wallace, a national hero for his part in the Battle against England.  There were 700 steps up to the top on a narrow winding staircase. Very steep and with my fear of heights, I prayed all the way up and down.

Pictures cannot give you the depth, but it was steep

It was a fun day, mostly sunny and about a five mile round trip from Stirling Castle to Wallace Monument. 

People out enjoying the day on the river

 Great dinner at our hotel that evening.  This portion of the trip includes all breakfast and dinners, and some lunches.  Next morning, board the bus to visit Scone Palace and Perthshire, the former capital of Scotland. This is situated on the River Tay.  Then in the afternoon, we take the Famous Grouse Experience at the Glenturret Highland distillery.

Scone Palace-where the Kings and Queens of Scotland were crowned

Chapel at Scone Palace

 

Finally a close up of a Highland Bull,  shaggy hair and all

Entrance to Scone Palace

We had a chance to roam around the grounds, Great old tree

The grounds were beautiful and well kept

Perthshire and the River Tey

No way to carry it home!

 Back to Stirling for our final night there, then next morning load up for a day of travel and sightseeing.  First stop, Loch Lomond and an cruise on the loch.  

The countryside.  The highlands are really rugged.

View of Loch from Bus 

Waiting for boat to come in

Bob's prepared for the rain and cold, was a bit nippy 

Waterfall from boat

Island in middle of Loch, Leaves starting to turn

Then on to Inveraray Castle and the Inveraray Jail.  Very rich Castle, that was built in 1836.  The jail is famous.  They have recreated the way the jail was back in the 1800's.

Inveraray Castle. Inside was great, but the gardens were fantastic

small portion of the gardens

Display of the weapons of the times

Inveraray Jail

example of courtroom in the jail house

Example of the children placed in jail

Thankfully, they didn't keep him

On to Fort William for the night.  The next morning explored the town on the Banks of the Loch
Linnhe. Then for a the Jacobite Steam Train that was the train featured in the Harry Potter Films. The train took us by some great scenery.  But if you left the windows open, you had black spots from the coal. We had a view of Britain's highest mountain, 4,413 ft.  On the way to Mallaig and the train ride, we stopped at the Caledonian Canal and a look at Neptune's Staircase.  This is a series of 8 locks on the Caledonian Canal. After the train ride, we travel to Inverness.  This evening is a dinner at Bogbain Farm with a scottish themed menu and traditional Scottish entertainment.
 

 

Our host for the evening

Our very own tour guide for the trip, Jackie Mueller, in her own family Tartan

The next morning, we had free time in Inverness, and thankfully, we didn't tour Inverness Castle.  Then board the bus back to Edinburgh for our final night of the trip.  

Statutes of Faith, Hope and Charity in Inverness

Street in Inverness

Flowers lining the streets

One final goodbye to Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle

Just a summary of a great trip.  Scotland was one of my favorites.  It's hard to put all the pictures and fun we had into a small blog.  We have videos of me doing the Scottish jig, of the places and experiences that can't be channeled into words.  We had Scottish weather and saw and experienced the true Scotland.   A beautiful and historic country.

Great group to travel with