Scotland

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Aviemore trek bicycle tour

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Mostly a travel day, but we did get a great first rainy ride in. The train ride was about 3 hours through the Scottish Highlands. We arrived a we bit early, but grabbed a pint got some lunch and went for a beautiful ride.

Train ride
The balavoulin

After check in we got outfitted for a ride and took one. Look at this beautiful scenery (in the rain no less).

Feshie bridge

Castle and Arthur’s seat

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Today we got up early and went for a walk before meeting the girls at the castle. There were crazy people racing the 7 hills of Edinburgh.

Within the castle walls
Walking through Edinburgh before the girls woke up.
Road race, 7 hills of Edinburgh
Everybody’s listening to the audio tour
We missed the one o’clock gun because it doesn’t shoot on Sundays.
Castle walls
From the great hall
The great hall
The great hall, was barracks for Cromwell before it was restored to original grandeur.
Prison at the castle
The crown jewels are stored here in the honours of Scotland. Fast fact, the sword was cut in half to smuggle it out.
Canon overlooking Edinburgh.
I couldnt take a picture so I just grabbed this from the internet.

We left the castle looking for fish and chips, but got turned down for a seat but our replacement Sammy lunch was fantastic. I got a smoked trout sandwich. Yummy! George ate haggis and black pudding. Ewe but he gets points for trying it.

Next we hiked Arthur’s seat which is right outside Edinburgh. It was great and I even got a 15 minute power nap at the top.

At this point we were very thirsty, but first stop was procuring chocolate cake. After cake we grabbed a beer at this cleverly named pub. (Can you see the noose?)

They were out of fish and chips.
Market

The fourth attempt at fish and chips today was successful.

Our last stop was at a costumed tour about the buried city called Mary kings close. A close is just a tiny alley street. Several got buried in around 1600 to build the royal exchange. Now, they give tours and you leave glad that you weren’t alive in the 1500s. Plagues and more different plagues which puts COVID into perspective. You can’t take pictures so here’s a link.

https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

Edinburgh

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Joined to with Sadira, Cora and Helena today

Deliriously jet lagged and wandering the streets of Edinburgh!
Berties first stop.

We met up with Helena at the airport. We didn’t realize that there were 2 international terminals and the anticipated reunion was even more climatic. Since our flight was delayed our fish and chips lunch happened after 2 pm.

Traipsing through the royal mile in the old town.
The castle is pretty much visible throughout the old town. Edinburg is absolutely beautiful.
Apparently touching this statue’s feet is good luck.
These guys were good sports about jumping in all my pictures
Cemetery
Pipe organ in St. Guiles cathedral
Stained glass, St. Guiles
Mosaic til. St. Guile’s.

We also found the beautiful park that used to be a lake until it was drained in the 1700s. Then we grabbed a beer and met up with a bridal party who apparently are going to name their first born after Cora. We recommended some absolute tunes and the mother of the bride did a wee bit of Scottish translation for us.

Drummers
Drinks all around.

Trying to upload bag pipe rock music on the street.