Dear Readers,
Welcome back to another edition of the Haber Report. For the next week we will be visiting the 2 major cities of Scotland (Edinburgh & Glascow) as well as a few side trips. I’d like to start with a “shout out” to Ira. He writes a travel blog as well which I consulted while planning this trip.
Our trip started on Thursday evening. We were scheduled to depart at 9:15 PM; ha! There was one major problem: no pilot! Apparently he was en route when the plane he was on got diverted to another city due to weather conditions. Long story short: we didn’t leave till almost 2 AM!
When we finally reached Edinburgh, we breezed through Customs only to have to wait for half an hour to get our luggage (& no, we just can’t do carry-on!) and then we wasted an additional half hour waiting for a taxi to get to our hotel. Their taxi system at the airport was just ridiculous. So instead of taking a nap first & then having half a day to explore the New Town section of Edinburgh, we had about an hour or so.
On our walk we saw our first bag piper (they are all over) and the Scott Monument with its soaring Gothic spire which is dedicated to Sir Walter Scott.
As we walked through the New Town I realized that the restaurant we were having dinner in that first evening was right there. So given our exhaustion at this point, we walked in at 5:15 (instead of 7:15) & asked if we could eat then instead. We lucked out & they said yes. It was a lovely little restaurant with Scottish food as seen through a French lens. We shared a charcuterie board which included 2 types of venison (sorry, Fawn!!) and then I had a shallot tarte tatin; I’ve never seen such large shallots; quite tasty. A lovely Bordeaux and a chocolate fondant completed a fun first dinner. The next morning I perused an article I had clipped (& not read!) on 36 hours in Edinburgh & it touted this restaurant!!
We are staying at the Balmoral Hotel. It’s an old fashioned typical European hotel with all of the modern conveniences one has become accustomed to. We have a lovely 2 room suite with 1 1/2 bathrooms!
Saturday was our first full day of sightseeing. 13,000 steps. We started with Edinburgh Castle – the crowning glory of the Scottish capital. I had bought a guided tour in advance which basically covered the outside areas and then we wandered around by ourselves. We saw Scotland’s crown jewels which as the tour guide said: if you’ve seen the ones in London, be prepared to be underwhelmed! No photos were allowed of them.
Archeological investigations have established that the rock on which the castle stands was inhabited as far back as 1000 BC. Here are a few photos.
Here’s a view from Edinburgh Castle.
After we left the Castle we walked through the Old Town. Here’s a typical close (or alley), a typical street and some colorful houses.
As we were walking through the Old Town, we came upon a huge rally/demonstration to end England’s rule over Scotland. One never knows what one will discover when one travels!
Next we went to the Writers’ Museum which had exhibits on Robert Burns & Robert Louis Stevenson.
This I thought was hysterical:
This is Greyfriars Bobby. This famous Skye terrier kept vigil beside his master’s grave for 14 years after 1848.
Lastly we went to the National Museum of Scotland. This museum covers a broad spectrum, from natural history and archeology to scientific & industrial history. Of most interest to me was the taxidermic remains of Dolly ( the first cloned sheep). Did you know it was named for Dolly Parton? Also of interest: some old looms and a spinning wheel; thanks to Ira, of course!
At this point we were tired!
Dinner was at a tiny restaurant in the basement of a building; only 20 seats. The food was similar to the night before, but not quite as good.
I’ve decided that what I enjoy most about these kind of trips is walking through the towns soaking up the atmosphere and eating interesting new foods. I’ve made a good start!
Looking forward to your responses/reactions to this latest adventure. Till tomorrow.
❤️
Irene