Posted on Jul 07, 2009
After spending so much time in major cities, Edinburgh was a relief. Everything we wanted to see was at one end or another of one street. We stayed within sight of Holyrood Palace, just next to the Scottish Parliament. It was an easy walk up to the castle and sights in between. Sam and I did some serious research at the Scottish Whiskey Experience (formerly the Scottish Whiskey Heritage Center) and we all visited the castle. THe weather was perfect and the view across the Forth was spectacular. One day is not enough, but better than nothing.
I had the adventure of picking up a rental car in the midst of town and then driving in rush hour traffic. No one was hurt and no cars were scratched. I've done quite a bit more British driving now, but a lifetime of instincts still rebels on the highway. By the time I get done I should be ok with it.
While I was picking up the car, Giles, Alex and Sam got to visit St. Giles Cathedral. If it wasn't named for her, it should have been. Though it's Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) it's still called a Cathedral from a brief stint as an Anglican Church under King James I. It's Thistle Chapel even features a carving of an angel playing the bagpipes!
We are now in Inverness, and today we went in search of Nessie. No sign of the old girl, but a good day for a drive and some time for a picnic by the loch (in between showers). Tomorrow we drive down the Great Glen to Fort William and then south to Glasgow to put Giles, Sam and Alex on the plane for home.
It's then that I'm off for Holy Island and the beginning of the work part of the sabbatical.