Show me a Scotsman who doesn't love the Thistle

18-21 April 2012
Chris' dad, Perry, was in Edinburgh, Scotland for a year while he was in the Air Force.  Chris and I had never been and Perry and Joan hadn't been back for many, many years.  What a better time to go then with them?!  So we left York and headed to Edinburgh by train. 

First bagpiper of the day!  We arrived in the late afternoon so we got settled and headed to a pub that would have the Chelsea-Barcelona game on .  We ate at the Bank Bar and had Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties and washed them all down with Irn Bru. 

Our hotel was a block from St. Giles Cathedral and right off the Royal Mile.

Next day we went to the National Museum of Scotland.

Well, hello Dolly!   First animal cloned from adult stem cell.

We all had a go in the F1 simulator.  We soon found out that you need awfully small shoulders just to get in the car. 

This little faithful Skye Terrier named Bobby stayed at his master's grave after he died until his own death and was buried just around the corner.  Thus the little monument and Greyfriars Bobby's Bar.

After lunch we hopped on a bus for a tour of the city just in time as the rain came down.

After a loop around the city we stopped at Edinburgh Castle for a tour.

While at the castle the Scottish fog set in.  Favorite part of the castle was seeing the Stone of Scone or Stone of Destiny. 

View of the parade grounds in front of the castle.  They were getting ready for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags in the background.

Start of the Royal Mile next to the Tartan Weaving Mill where Perry dressed in a traditional Scottish tartan and had pictures taken just like he had 50 years ago!

The next day we all headed to the Palace of Holyroodhouse or the Queen's residence when she is in Scotland. 

Entrance to the Palace. The Palace is where Mary Queen of Scots lived until Queen Elizabeth ordered her execution. 

After the palace Chris and I took a long walk down Princes Street to the Mound where we ran into this great bagpipe player.  The Scott Monument is in the background in gardens.

We continued our walk around the castle and did a little shopping on our way.

In the afternoon, the fog lifted and it turned out to be a beautiful day and evening.  The next morning all of us headed to the airport.  Perry and Joan back to Santa Rosa and us back to Switzerland for one more month!