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We're off to 12 days in Scotland! The Lassies: Lara, Bonnie, Barb, and myself. This is the summer of 2019, our escape to the land of lochs, open skies, rolling greenery, forests, history, and whisky!
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The Lassies
Edinburgh
Old Town Castle Terrace, Edinburgh
This is our first stop, our airbnb in Edinburgh for 3 days. After a long flight from SF, we arrive without our luggage which is lost. Our apartment is straight ahead, and 3 flights up! (We finally got our suitcases by Day 2, late in the day -- finally, a change of clothes and shoes!)
That's me at the open window direct center! It was a lovely apartment with views to the street and to a green garden below.
Harry Potter Tour
We had signed up for a walking tour of Edinburgh, specifically, a Harry Potter-themed tour. We met our tour guide who was dressed as a wizard, and he promptly separated us in our "houses". From there, he enthusiastically delivered his knowledge of J. K. Rowling's inspiration for her Harry Potter books.
Never one to slow down, our tour guide delivered his vast knowledge of of Harry Potter lore to the 3 lassies left to hear him. Me, I wandered off, taking pictures, since I could not keep walking the pace of this 3 hour tour.
The Royal Mile - Old Town Edinburgh! This is the main street through the old section of Edinburgh. Lined with shops and eateries, churches and monuments.
The other direction of the Royal Mile -- continues from Edinburgh Castle at the top of the mile, and ends at the lower end, at Holyrood Palace, one of the queen's residences.
Cool doors to St. Giles' Cathedral, Church of Scotland, on the Miracle Mile.
A lovely evening, walking down Haymarket Street -- lots of eateries and shops along the way.
This busy street was the inspiration for J. K. Rowling's Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series. We had gone to a recommended Italian pizza/pasta restaurant on this street. (Worst Italian food ever!)
Footloose! This is our neighborhood pub! We ate and drank here frequently - with friendly service, lots of whisky choices, and really good food! The bartenders were especially friendly!
Time for breakfast!
The full Scottish Breakfast - complete with haggis! (it's in there somewhere, and not bad!)
Greyfriar's Bobby - a local pub. The statue of Bobby was erected by the locals to honor this little terrier who stayed by his master's graveside daily, for 14 years until the devoted dog died. Awww...
Our first Scotch tasting at Greyfriar's Bobby. 4 different whiskys. Barb and Bonnie choose the peaty ones, I like the less-peaty flavored ones, and Lara, I think neither.
After we left Greyfriar Bobby's, Lara and I headed back to our apartment. Bonnie and Barb headed to Footloose, where they continued the Scotch tasting and hung with the locals. Wish we had joined them.
