We now have two weeks in Scotland. We have been looking forward to this part of the trip as we loved Scotland when we were here in 1995 (then with two of our daughters). Bob has family links here, as his father was born here and his mother's father was born in Glasgow. We are starting this part of our trip with five days in Edinburgh.

In our flat at Portobello we are right on the waterfront. Flat water, brown sand - why does it still look beautiful? As we walk along the front we are loving the friendliness of the people - but then we have said that almost everywhere we have been this trip. What a wonderful world it is.
 
 
 
To get to the city centre,  we can catch a bus at the end of the street, which is handy. Only a 15 minute ride and we are there. All the stony fronted majestic buildings of it. We are only in the city a short time when I realise we are outside the Scotland's People building, a centre for genealogy research. Bob has talked about checking out some family details, so he goes in to have the '2 hour free session' while I wander the surrounding area. 

Edinburgh centre is divided into the 'old' and 'new' towns, and I start in the new area. From here the 'old town' can be seen in all its glory up on the hill across the gorge, and in the not so far distance are the gorse covered hills around the edges of the city. When I walked down the side streets off Princes Street I could see the water of the Firth down the hill. The Scott monument (for Walter Scott) takes pride of place here, but there are many buildings that are worth a second look.

When Bob emerges we cross into North Bridge into the old town and walk down the Royal Mile. Fantastic area. So much to see, but I have walked miles and am starving. Choose a 'Steak and Haggis Pie' at the White Horse Inn'. Good choice, and I notice that everyone who comes in chooses the same dish. Revitalised we walked to the lower end of the mile to the Palace of Holyroode House. This was once the home of Mary Queen of Scots, but is now 
the Royal family's official residence while in Scotland. 

 Across the road is the new Scottish Parliament building, a most unusual building. Opened in 2005, the concrete building has a variety of oddly shaped elements, and although criticised by some, at least stands out from the surrounding buildings.

Back in the new town, we visit the National Gallery of Scotland. This place took our breath away. - Gainsboroughs, Turners, Constables, Monets - everywhere you turn are paintings that are so well known you feel as though you have seen them before. In the centre of one hall is Rodin's 'The Kiss', on loan for a year from the Tate Britain. Amazing it all is.

The next day we take it easy. We have been travelling 6 weeks now and need to slow down for a few days. Our base here makes that very easy. So we start out later than usual and go to Leith and the new Ocean terminal. The Britannia Yacht is moored here, and in the new shopping centre we book tickets to see 'The Great Gatsby' that night.

Then on to Cramond, a small waterfront village, with white houses, boats near the seafront, and a walk out to an island. We lunch at the pub and take a walk along the seafront. That night, we both decided the movie was great. It has had various reviews, but if you know what Baz Luhrman does, and treat the story as theatre, it is fantastic entertainment. We saw a 3D version, which in some ways takes away from the story, but the time flew, so it must have suited our tastes.
 
 
 
 
We visited Rosslyn Chapel, which gained fame after a fleeting image was used in the movie of 'The da Vinci Code'. It is small but carved in an amazingly ornate manner, and there are interesting stories about the intricate carvings inside..  

We took a nostalgic trip to Stirling and Callander. We were here in '95 with the girls and this time we checked out again the Youth Hostel where we stayed. Tried to find again the pub where we ate but we think it is no more. Then took a wonderful drive to Loch Katrine, Loch Venachar and over Duke's Pass. Fantastic scenery here. This is the wonderful thing about Scotland - the scenery is amazing.

In this way we continued. More of the city - the gallery of Modern Art, Dean Village, shops in the new town, and a bus ride home. Edinburgh is a lively, lovely place. Totally enjoyed our time here but looking forward to St Andrews and then Stonehaven tomorrow. Nearly forgot- the sun was out ALL day today. in fact, at 9.45 pm, it is just setting.