Monday, 16th June COCKENZIE -
EDINBURGH
Robyn writes: We’ve had a great day today! Lex and I were up
around 7, and Glen and Carol appeared at about half past (they stay up much
later than we early birds.) We decided that we’d go into Edinburgh today, and
take the number 26 bus, which leaves from just around the corner. Lex and I
planned to go to Edinburgh Castle, while Glen and Carol weren’t sure what they’d
do; they’ve both been to Edinburgh several times before. It’s Glen’s birthday
today, so he was showered with presents!
We caught the bus at around 9.30, and Lex and I popped
upstairs to get the front seats with a view. The bus then stopped at
practically every bus stop between here and the city centre; it took just over
an hour. But at least we had a good view! Once in the city centre, we got off in
Princes Street, and decided on morning tea at Pret a Porter. (Portuguese egg tarts
were delicious. Lex had porridge, which he also reported to be very good – as you’d
expect of the Scottish.)
Then we split up, as Lex and I wanted to go to Edinburgh Castle. It’s at the very top of the Royal Mile, the long straight stretch that is also called High St and Canongate, and runs all the way down the hill. It’s lined with Scottish shops (mainly souvenirs and tartan), expensive eating establishments and purveyors of the finest Scotch whiskey. As I’m quite addicted to tartan in general, and the strains of a bagpipe playing Scotland the Brave filled the air, my Scottish DNA (13%) was fit to burst with happiness! However, we were accompanied by literally hundreds of people – Edinburgh is bursting with tourists at present, and all of them seemed to want to go to the castle too. Our forebodings were correct: the castle was sold out for today. At least Lex was able to straight away get online and buy tickets for Thursday, so that is now a firm booking.
After this, we split up for a while – Lex went off to visit the Scottish Parliament, then the Museum of Edinburgh. I had a delightful time perusing tartan after tartan, and tracked down Nikita’s (rather late) birthday present as promised – a scarf in McLean of Duart tartan, her family tartan. I also heroically resisted buying stuffed Loch Ness monsters and highland cows (so far). Then I walked right down to the end of Canongate to the Canongate Kirk (church). My 4 X great-grandparents, John Thompson and Jean Dempster, were married here in January of 1793. It’s a lovely church, with a very interesting graveyard, but unfortunately it is only opened on Sundays. Sad. Fortunately Glen was able to visit it a few years ago for me so I do have photos, but it’s really nice to be able to go into the church where your ancestors were married.
Right near the kirk is the Museum of Edinburgh, so that was my
next venture. It is small but interesting, with lots of information and
displays from the time when it was known as ‘auld Reekie’ (because it smelled
so much!)
After this, I headed back up the Royal Mile, looking for a place to have lunch – I finally settled on Rock Salt, just off the Mile, so significantly cheaper! Lex joined me there soon after, and we had a huge and enjoyable lunch.
After this, we decided to visit the Art Gallery of Scotland,
which is on ‘the mound’, about a 12 minute walk away, some of it through very
pleasant parkland. Edinburgh is built on lots of hills, so to get anywhere
there’s lots of steps and steep slopes involved. The Art Gallery is lovely;
over 4 floors with some wonderful art works, including Rembrandts, Titians,
Monets, Van Goghs, the Glasgow boys etc etc. We spent a couple of happy hours
appreciating art, then headed for the bus, getting lost (of course), then
meeting up with Glen at the bus stop and the long trip home.
Carol had come home earlier, so popped into Lidl in Prestonpans, and grabbed some groceries. Lex and Glen came home via the newsagent on the corner which also sells alcohol (the UK is a wonderful place!) So we had a birthday drink with Glen. He had actually been given a free gin sample bottle today – gin is vying with Scotch for popularity here, it seems. So he had gin and tonic, Lex had some Spanish beer, and Carol and I had a glass of wine. Then Carol and I prepared tea, and it’s the end of another busy day. The weather has been kind to us again; no rain, and it got to 19 or 20 and was quite warm, so we certainly can’t complain. Another day of Edinburgh fun awaits us tomorrow!
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