Scotland in 5 nights

We are in the Bergen, Norway airport (on our way from Norway to Scotland). All of our flights (4 all together) have lay overs in Amsterdam. We are never there long enough to leave the airport. Above is the "duty free" shop in Bergen.

Alex and I are walking around.
Sorry for the blurriness. Flash is off.

A large variety of beverages.

"Let's check this area out" she says.
You might notice her water bottle hanging off her purse. We tried to remember when we could have water in them in the airports and when we couldn't. Sometimes there were two security checks for U.S. citizens and we would fill our bottles only to have to dump them out again.  But much cheaper than buying bottled water all over Europe.

Lots of pretty packaging and wonderful smells.

Alex likes this one!

Getting ready to land in Scotland later in the day after changing planes and a lay over in Amsterdam. Green landscape and water down below. After we landed we figured out how to take a bus to our hotel in Edinburgh.

One of the first streets we saw in Edinburgh, Scotland. Row after row of houses and cobblestone streets.

Window shopping in the land of kilts.

A different street. Cars parked the way the traffic flows.

The restaurant where we had dinner our first night in Scotland.

Grams had fish and chips. Looks like the entire fish is in there! What a beautiful platter it was served on. The lady to Gram's right was with her husband. They were from Australia and talked Bryan's leg off all night.

I also had fish and chips (I love them!) and Alex had a seafood combo served in a wire basket behind my food.

Our dinner was at this Haymarket restaurant. Pretty flowers, signs, decor. The service was extremely slow. We did not go back there. The street was under construction so it was closed. Very good for all the people walking!

Sitting and eating breakfast the next morning at our hotel and gazing out the window, Wednesday, June 26. This white haired older gentleman in a kilt had been waiting at the bus stop. He switched places with a lady on this bus and took over the tour guide position.

I love orange marmalade and it was available in its own tiny jar at breakfast. I brought one home!

We took the the city bus to get to Edinburgh Castle. Pictures taken out the window, cars are parked IN THE MIDDLE of the street. Strange configuration. Our bus is driving behind this little black car.

Another street a couple blocks from our hotel.

So many different architectural elements to marvel at. I have no idea what these buildings are but they are beautiful.

Our first glimpse of Edinburgh Castle up on the rocks. This was our bus. A "DAYticket" was 3.50 British pounds. A British pound was about $1.60 so the all day bus ticket was about $5.60 per person.

Edinburgh Castle, like many castles, was built on top of rocks to aid in protection for those within.

Alex helps Bryan switch hats from his traveling backpack. As you can tell by their shadows, it did actually come out. He carried a plethora of our day trip items. Nice guy!

Edinburgh Castle. I booked our entry and guided earphone tour from home. I sure hope the papers in my backpack work!

Walking along Princes Street with shops on the far left and benches for resting on this side. Buses go zooming by on a regular basis.

It would appear a long lost family member helped provide this bench. :)   All the benches had a plaque on them with a wide variety of names.

A gardener sets out flats of plants. Looks like he is washing off the edge of the sidewalk at the moment.

One of the places I wanted to visit while in Edinburgh. It will need to wait until another time later in this trip.

Making our way up the hill to Edinburgh Castle. These buildings are not part of it. The dark building is part of the University of Edinburgh. "The School of Divinity: New College."

Working our way up. I am glad I don't have to mow this hillside. The castle entrance is still higher.

A very intricate gate along the way.

Still making our way up to the castle entrance. If I stop all of them to take pictures, we all get a quick rest!

On the way up there is plenty to look at, notice the cat/lion? on the top.

A very pretty garden area on top of this little hill. So much stone and cobblestone around and then this niche with greenery.

Directly across from the previous garden area are these stairs and plants and window boxes. Later I saw a photo of this wall on a post card. Sweet.

Even the older buildings have new adaptations. Skylights. We went into the Tartan Weaving establishment after our castle visit and Alex bought a Sutherland Clan scarf.

The Scottish Whisky Experience didn't fit into our schedule. Bummer.

Different and striking. Ornate comes to mind.

Walking through an area toward Edinburgh Castle, modern day seating on both sides. The right side is out of the picture. There are exhibitions here with kilted performers. The pictures we saw of performances were rather elaborate.

Just a little stone work. 

View of the city from on the castle wall.

Cannons to protect. Drainage gutters built in with the cobblestones.

We are listening to our self paced tour. The sun had come out. 

We picked up our headphones at the small black building on the left. To my relief all the paperwork was in order and we were off on our tour. To the right are the actual rocks of the hill with the castle built around it and on it.

This cannon is fired every day, just once, at 1:00 pm on the hour. They said they could conserve cannonballs that way instead of firing at noon when it would use up 12 cannon balls. Scottish people apparently are thrifty.

Listening to our audio phones while taking in the view.

A sturdy stairway that was added years after the castle was built.

Alex in the guard house.

Grams, too.

Bryan and I get in on it.

This sign states this building is the "National War Museum of Scotland." Very intricate sign. Rifle, sword, and more.

Looking down on the city of Edinburgh. Awesome view.

A mounted horse, this bronze statue is very lifelike.

Cobblestones everywhere.

Walking up the hill to the next level.

Benches around to rest on. Garbage cans available. I love the many parts to the roof in the background.

Working our way up the hill. Many different kinds of stone make up all these buildings. Red, brown, grey.

The sign on the left states "Private Residence" and the one on the right "Officers Mess". Again, many colors of stone.

Nothing like a castle flag.

Grams gets a kick out of the bagpiper!

Alex and the bagpiper are picture perfect.

Walking up and through an original gate. These walls are very thick. Notice the vertical gun slots on either side. I suppose they could be for bows and arrows, too.

This gives you an idea of how thick the protective walls are.

It seemed odd to see a car up here. It barely fit!

This is the Scottish National War Memorial. Very distinguished.
The stained glass windows were pretty from the outside. This was the largest garden area inside the castle walls.

Directions are always helpful we found out. Bryan, Alex, and Grams are heading to look over the edge.

The Scots cherish their dogs. This is just over the castle wall, part way down and it is the dog cemetery for the castle.

This roof to the right is stone and has many parts.

Inside St. Margaret's Chapel. Pretty stained glass window.

A very small chapel. I was fortunate to get this picture without any people in it. An unusual color scheme from other places we visited.

The extent of the chapel. I am against the back wall. The archway's stones are intriguing.

This explains the age of this little chapel.

Alex teasing Grams, again!

The many levels on the "upper ward" at Edinburgh Castle.

They take time out from their viewing for a photo.

Looking, or trying to look, over the castle wall.

The small rounded area with the green grass is the dogs' cemetery. Many other tourists view the city sites.

Alex captures the cannon's view of what is below.

This is what it is aimed at.

Bryan and his mom share a chuckle.

If there was trouble, fires would be built in these containers. There are 5 total around the "forewall battery". If one is lit, there is a little trouble brewing. If 2 or 3, more trouble. If all 5... well, not good!

For two people not big on heights, they were doing pretty well looking out there!

A multitude of cannons for protection. One of the containers for the signal fire is up on the far battery wall.

Cobblestones streets with built in ditches for rain run off.

There was one well inside the castle walls. This is it. 

The Scottish National War Memorial from the side. It is so sturdy yet has delicate stained glass windows.

The Honours. The Scottish Crown Jewels are housed in here. Bryan and I went in and saw them. No pictures allowed. They were something to see!

The Scottish National War Memorial entrance.

A brace with beauty.

A new door and an old door.

The hall of arms. I love this ceiling!

Just the ceiling.

Suit of armor and spears and swords. It almost looks like this was a skirt of armor. 

A wide variety of arms.

The king would peer down on his men through the window with the grate high up on the wall. They wouldn't know if he was spying on them or not. He could listen in, too.

A large fireplace. Sharp decorations all around.

Short spears (are they spears?) and then long ones above the mantel.

Coat of arms in the stained glass. Each of the different windows around the room was unique.

Pistols that appear to be set up like a clock.

I had come in here by myself to take a peak. I was so interested and was here so long the rest joined me. Now Alex was taking pictures, too.

A different suit of armor. Covers more.

The castle car works its way up through the crowd.

Sturdy stones support the stone stairway.

Gutters and downspouts added in later centuries.

"So you want out of this prison?" Good luck with that.

Carvings inside the prison walls.

Apparently prisoners did escape. Wonder what the guards were doing?

Number 23 on our audio tour. Such old buildings.

Hmmm.

Stairway down to the dungeons. No thank you.

Prisoners' quarters.

Hammocks. 

Storage underneath or more bedding area.

Below is a picture of one of the doors.

Carvings and holes.

Thick stone walls lead to multi-barred windows.

Solitary confinement in a different building.

Bryan and Alex check out the shower stalls.

Grams and Alex patiently wait for us to catch up. (Okay, they are waiting for me to catch up.)

We didn't see everything.

The guard gate was in this very thick stone wall and it had TEETH!

We have left Edinburgh Castle and are walking down what they call the "Royal Mile".

Sidewalk entertainment.

I sure got a chuckle out of this. So many people did double takes as they walked past this guy. Me? I took two pictures!

Pretty buildings with flowers around the second level. Shops and tourists everywhere.

1680? Some of these are so very old. Fascinating.

The "Jolly Judge" was supposed to be a good place to eat according to a tour book I had read. So we follow the signs. 

It is through this alley and into the open courtyard. We got back to it and they were having "water issues" and their kitchen was closed. :(  So we opted for the "Castle Cafe Bar" restaurant. Tiny little hole in the wall. We sat in their courtyard area.

Looking up from our table at lunch time.

A pigeon is hoping Grams will drop something.

The menu.

We did get water. Notice the ice situation.

The food was good and HOT!

The smallest bathroom sink I have EVER seen.

Continuing our stroll down the "Royal Mile." Different curbs than we are used to.

Alex is putting on her newly purchased "Sutherland Clan" scarf. Coats are on, it has clouded over and cooled off.

Artwork. It can be found in many places. Here on the left and down the street on the right.

Sidewalk musician in Edinburgh.

Phone booths and a Subway.

As the sign states, this is the end of the pedestrian zone. Now we will need to watch for buses and other traffic.

Need a coffee? Go to Starbucks. Oh, and they have a bathroom, too. Sometimes those are very hard to find.

While they are in Starbucks, I step outside and snap a few pics of the local area. This is looking back up the pedestrian zone from where we just came.

Alex stepped out the front of Starbucks wearing her Sutherland Clan scarf while checking out the possibility of rain.

Intricate stonework down the street.

Success in Starbucks. Here comes my white chocolate mocha. Even across the pond one can get their favorite hot beverage!

This guy is beating the traffic.

Restaurants pop up along the sidewalk.

Under a building and there is a pretty little courtyard.

Dog walkers. 

An Ice Cream Bar.

An unusually painted storefront.

Loved this clock. It says "1884" or does it say "1848?" around the clock.

This alleyway leads back to an entirely different looking area. There are streets on the other side of these buildings. They call their alleys "wynds".

Canongate Kirk. I believe this was built in 1688. Adam Smith is buried here. He is the father of modern economics. Bryan and I both taught economics. A natural we would try to find his burial site.

We read many grave markers. He wasn't along this wall.

Walking behind the church (Kirk means church) with coffee in hand, still searching.

Alex is looking too. She found him toward the front. We had walked right by his place.

A very distinguished marker.

Totally gated. This is the closest we could get.

On the floor of his space.

This thistle is the flower of Scotland. Thriving in his gated tomb area.

Continuing our walk along the Royal Mile. Peaking in everywhere I could. I believe this is a bocco ball court.

We had walked so dang far we jumped on a city bus to try and get back to our hotel. I got a kick out of this sign as we were driving by. Apparently this area was off limits to people with their name spelled like mine! Of course they call trucks, Lorries. 

Brightly colored bus inside, pretty flowers outside.

A glimpse at Princes Street Gardens from the bus. It is still on my agenda.

Another view of Edinburgh Castle.

Alex's dinner in Edinburgh. We were walking by this restaurant and they had a guy on the street inviting people in. We took them up on it!

Bryan's dinner. Sizzling hot and spicy.

I tried the "pickle plate". I told myself I would try new things. Some of this dinner was awesome, some not so much!

Our bathroom in our hotel in Edinburgh. The water in the shower was a mystery to some of our group. A couple "cool" showers were taken!

On Thursday, June 27th we picked up our rental car and meandered around the western part of Scotland. This is in Fort William.  We were heading to Inverness, Scotland for the next two nights. 

Cobble stones make a Celtic knot pattern near this park in Fort William.

Alex might have her own hotel.

They use portable traffic lights, cones and arrows instead of flaggers. This light turned green when we could move ahead on the one lane road. When it was red, traffic from the other side of the construction came toward us. 

Urquhart Castle ruins on Loch Ness.

We stopped and peered through the bushes to see this castle. It is in a wonderful setting. Founded in the 13th century. Wasn't it in a movie?

The pink shrubs are rhododendrons. I was surprised to see them all over these hills.

Misty clouds along the river.

Countryside between Fort William and Inverness along our drive. Looks mysterious.

Monument out in a field. 

We are now in Inverness, Scotland. This is the newly renovated bathroom at our hotel. It even has heated towel racks.

The shower. We knew how to operate this shower.

Inverness Castle right across River Ness from our hotel. This was taken from the sidewalk in front of the hotel. (Loch means river.)

A beautiful church in Inverness.

The town steeple as seen from our hotel porch.

Dinner time. This is one door away from our hotel. We thought we would have Italian food for dinner. And yes, it had been raining.

The wait was very long at the Italian restaurant so we opted for plan B, to climb the stairs to the pizzeria right next door. They had a 45 minute wait for a table. We then went to plan C and ordered take out.

Bryan and his mom went back to the hotel while Alex and I waited for the pizza. We had 15 minutes so we walked across the River Ness bridge and looked back at our hotel. Hotel Columba is were we stayed. The pizza place is just to its right with the red sign above the stairs we climbed.

Flowers on the bridge. Looking at our hotel.

The next morning, Friday June 28th, Alex and I went for a walk in Inverness in search of a sports store she found on her phone's internet. We only used our phones when we had Wifi, which enable us to keep our "data" turned off.  It was cool and rainy and she was in need of warmer clothes.

We found it, Sports Direct. Yoga pants here we come.

We parked in the lot behind this beautiful cathedral. No parking available at all at our hotel.

Walking to our parked rental car. So many large trees in Inverness, Scotland.

Our rental car. A very comfy Volvo. It was large enough for all four suitcases to fit behind the back seat. Bryan is getting in the non-driver side. He wanted me to "experience" Scotland to the fullest, so he "allowed" me to do the driving. :)

Our view of the road just outside Edinburgh, Scotland. ("Stay left, Mom".)

Another view. Yes, stay left!

Since I was the driver of our rental car (read: on the other side of the car, on the other side of the road) Alex took these pictures while we were on the road. The rolling green hills of Scotland.

Green countryside, a village, clouds and blue sky.

Trying so hard to stay in my lane. A majestic church ahead.

Scottish countryside. This field looks like it had just been sprayed. Notice the wheel tracks.

Stone walls everywhere. Such a pretty area.

More fields.

Dots of sheep out the car window.

And cows.

Road signs are in two languages. Can you read it?

We are now in our own county. "Welcome to Sutherland."

We got such a kick out of these signs.
"Elderly people." I hope you can see the image they use to convey the idea!

"Humps for 3/4 mile" indicates there are speed bumps ahead.

And YES I had both hands on the wheel. The first day of driving was tense! Alex's mantra was "stay to the left, stay to the left." It was a very good reminder every time we turned a corner. When turning right at a stop sign, my natural inclination was to stay close and to the right. She was very patient and kind when reminding me. (No yelling, "MOM, those cars are heading toward us!!!)

Dunrobin Castle is the Sutherland Clan castle. We are visiting the country of Bryan's dad's family. We have no idea if there are direct connections, but it is pretty cool to come here to see this. "Haste ye back" I love it!

This is the EXIT from our "family" castle. Turrets on the exit? How cool is that!

Driving down the lane to the castle. What will it look like? This adds to the mystery.

Our first impression. Neat!

The left side of the beautiful gardens behind the castle. The North Sea in the distance.

We are hustling down to see the falconry display.

Looking back up at the castle.

The path to the garden. A black cat lies in wait.

Bryan on the path down.

Since I was lost in my picture taking, Alex waited for me and directed me to the falconry display. Thanks Alex!

These gardens are amazing.

Garden tools on a break.

The falconry display is going on at the end of this path on the left side of the bushes.

A peak through the hedge to a manicured shrub.

A view from the garden.

At the end of the garden there is this gorgeous gate to the sea. It was locked. :(

The beautiful path to the gate.

The falconry display was very interesting and entertaining. This man has a way with rather large birds. This falcon still has his red hood on.

He is telling us a story. He is looking RIGHT at ME!

The hood is off. What a stately bird.

A different, older falcon. He still has his hood on, too.

I don't know if I would want to be that close to that beak.

A snack between his feet.

Now we have an owl. He looks rather aloof.

He flew to this resting point in the bushes nearby.

This is the owl flying by Alex, Grams and Bryan! He went between Bryan and Grams!

Alex checks on Grams. They were all just fine! Man oh man, excitement!

Flying near the crowd. Exciting. The man had the treats, so the birds were more interested in him than in us. Thank goodness.

He had the owl sit on this man's hat. With the man's permission.

The owl is on his tether so we could go see him after the flying show. He let us get up close for our photos.

Then he brought out a golden eagle. Alex watches from a short distance in the rain.

Patiently waiting under a tree and out of the rain while I take a few more photos of this beautiful bird.

He is feeding him right there.

I think he is giving me the evil eye (eagle eye?).
He was so beautiful. A very old bird who doesn't do the flying displays any more. He is more like their pet.

Garden and castle from the lower level.

Boxwood enclosed beds.

Pretty poppies.

Alex and Bryan on their way to look out the gate. These beds are filled with perennial flowers. This purple flower is a type of columbine.

Lime green Lady's Mantel.

A stone wall between the North Sea and the gardens. I suppose it is to keep out intruders and the sea.

Looking through the gate. The lawns outside the stone fence are even mowed.

Looking back from the gate. Wow.

Bryan and Alex pose in the rain.

Croquette anyone?

From under a tree between the two formal gardens. The view of the trellises with pears, apples and grapes on them.

Plantings under the trellises contain flowers and herbs. On the left are spires of Lupine. Straight ahead there are orange poppies and rosemary. Irises poke out from under the short espaliered apple trees that line the path.

Dark blue columbine in the foreground. Another view of our "family castle".

Fruit trees in wooden planter boxes to the left.

Newly manicured boxwood beds with a water feature in the middle. 

A different set of boxwood beds with a different water feature.

Bryan points something out to Alex above the grasses that flow gently in the breeze.

These gardens are patterned after the gardens at Versailles and were originally planted about 150 years ago. Here there is a groundskeeper tidying up.

A panorama of the gardens with their tree area in the middle.

Tall creamy lilies are starting to bloom. Concrete benches to rest on.

One of the birds the falconer and his son were "bringing" up toward the castle. He landed right next to me in the hedge.

They would call to him and he would move closer to them. Here he is on top the wall next to me.

The falconer and his son on the path to the left, the bird on top of the 4th concrete ball. What a beautiful setting.

Gunnera plants in the foreground. They are related to rhubarb. The leaves can get up to 8 feet wide!

A view down the path.

Such a pretty formal garden. Even under the trees there are paths. The croquette area is behind the trees on the right. The falconry display was in the grassy area in front of the gray trees that look like balls in the back.

To the far right, just out of the picture and behind the trees are the greenhouses for the castle and its grounds. 

I always pictured the North Sea being rough and rugged. Today it was pretty and calm.

This bench would be a pretty spot to have coffee and take in a view. There isn't a fence in front of the bench, but there is a BIG drop off. Careful!  Last view of "our" gardens.

The entrance to Dunrobin Castle. There are no photos allowed inside. It was marvelous.

We have returned to Inverness and are strolling along Loch Ness.

This fly fisherman looks rather picturesque. The footbridge in the background gets lots of use. It is rather bouncy. Spooky at first.

Alex and Bryan are power walking a couple laps around Loch Ness and over the foot bridge. They started our trip with runs in Norway and also in Edinburgh. Bryan strained his Achilles and they slowed to a power walk. I on the other hand, stroll and take pictures!

The two of them bouncing across the footbridge. Occasionally I pinch myself to think we are doing regular activities (power walking and strolling) in SCOTLAND! Alex and I even did our family laundry while in Inverness.

They are on the other side of Loch Ness. The stately older homes are beautifully manicured. Some are bed and breakfasts.

Inside our hotel. The dark woodwork is pretty and gleaming. The windowed room is a conference room.

Our breakfast room in Inverness. This is Saturday, June 29th. We will be driving back to Edinburgh today by way of St. Andrews Golf Links.

Grapefruit segments in the blue bowl, dried prunes and then peach slices to go along with a variety of yogurts.

Hot choices include scrambled eggs, waffles and butterhorn pastries.

This blend your own granola bar includes several kinds of cereal and dried fruit. They even had coconut.

The hallway in our hotel was twisty and had short flights of stairs here and there.

Weather in Inverness. Damp and chilly. But this area is very pretty!

 

Inverness, Scotland for latitude and longitude. Salem, Oregon is 45 degrees North and 123 degrees West. So Inverness is 12 degrees  more north than Salem.

An establishment near our hotel with pretty impatiens towers and hanging baskets of geraniums and petunias.

Right behind the parking lot where we parked our rental car was a large expanse of a sports field. This is the left view.

This is the right view.

A tad closer up. This complex was right next to a private school and was totally fenced.

The covered bleachers were ornately decorated and very neat and tidy. It appears the team chairs are tipped to avoid collecting rain water in the seats.

On our drive Alex spotted these curly haired cows in a lush pasture. The little one had just finished nursing.

Alex snaps Bryan and Grams enjoying the ride in the back seat. 

Beautiful Scottish countryside. Stone fences, fields dotted with sheep and a large, old house on a hill. Ahhhh.

We found this rest stop in a village, slightly off the beaten path. There was a playground to the left and dog walking to the right.

If you used the "facilities" there was an "admission". You would put your change in the basket and if you needed change back, well that was up to you to make your own. Very clean. 

Ruins out in a field dotted with sheep. Looks like a movie set.

A back yard garden complete with greenhouse.

One of our first views of St. Andrews Golf Links. A massive putting green with the North Sea in the background.

The place where it all begins. The "Old Course Starter" at St. Andrews.

Several putting greens to choose from. We didn't golf, but looked around.

Another putting green. Pristine white fences and lush green grass.

Lots of grass here at St. Andrews.

Golfers on the 18th green.

This hotel is the backdrop as people walk up the 18th fairway.

The 1st and 18th fairways share this expanse. The closer one is the 1st fairway. Golfers tee off from the left and putt way down on the right.

The 18th green with shops right across the street. It has a white flag.

Since this is a public course, there are many tourists. This paved path crosses right in the middle of the 1st and 18th fairways. When golfers aren't hitting in either direction, people cross. Right in the middle! A ball rolled up by a lady and she went to pick it up. Her friend reminded her NOT to!

The view of the 18th green while we crossed on the path. I felt like I was intruding.

The view looking back at the 18th tee and the famous stone bridge in the fairway.

This is right across the street from the 18th fairway. We did see a ball hit onto the street. This wall clock is a Rolex.

Another view of the 18th and the clubhouse.

Alex taking a photo of the stone bridge.

There really is water under the bridge. Calm and soothing. Which I would need if I was golfing here!

Another view.

Proof from my camera that Bryan was here.

Grams had taken a photo of Bryan in front of the stone bridge. She couldn't see what it turned out like in her dark camera so she had Bryan look at it. It was a picture of just Bryan's "lower mid-section". He had just shown it to Alex.

Bryan tells his mom she just got a picture of his crotch! We had a great laugh. Thanks, Mary!

Lorrie near the 18th fairway stone bridge.

Bryan and his mom, Mary, at St. Andrews Golf Links.

A wedding party spilled out of the building across the street.

Many different kilts and socks. 

They stroll with purpose past the Old Course Shop. We went into the shop and looked around. We pondered the idea of getting tee shirts, but alas, too spendy.

Bryan reads about the history of St. Andrews. 18th green in the background. 

Quotes are etched in the windows of the golf museum.

"Now what color was our rental car?" Good thing it had the key fob that beeped!

And yes, you can camp at St. Andrews.

We are heading to Edinburgh for the night. Here are some open ended greenhouses. I sure wish I knew what was being protected in there.

One of the bridges leading toward Edinburgh. Not a lot of traffic, and this one was very long.

Pre-dinner beverages. After driving on the "wrong side" of the road all day I need one of these.

Grams digs in to her fish and chips.

Bryan pours sauce over his steak. Roasted tomatoes with their stems on to the right. Our food was delicious.

My dinner served on the "Daily Catch" newspaper. The tartar sauce cup fits in a wire hooked right onto the wooden server.

Prettiest lemon water around.

Our bill. About $1.60 per British pound when we were there. We had a coupon from the a couple nights earlier when we had eaten here. The food and service was so wonderful we came back. So the "food discount" was for our coupon.

After dinner Alex and I walked to Princes Street. We split up and she did some shopping on this side of the street and I crossed the crazy bus line and went to the garden. Yes, finally!

The flats of flowers in an earlier picture have become this.

And this.

Down below street level there are benches and flowers galore.

This garden even has corn growing.

If you were to google Princes Street Garden, Edinburgh and zoom in you could see this little house. It looks like a fairy god mother should live here. (Except for the cargo van.)

Walking down the main path. I think this is where people go because they don't have their own yards.

This had the appearance of a photo shoot of some kind.

This squirrel just kept ahead of the little guy following him. The squirrel would run and then stop. The little boy would almost catch up to him and the squirrel would take off again. Cute. Tag with a squirrel.

Apparently pigeons are the same no matter where you go.

Looking back to where I started from. Flowers up the hillside that leads to where all the buses are. There are a couple stairways down to the park from the street.

Rose garden on the hill, bus in the background on Princes Street.

A delicate yellow rose.

A statue from 1914.

"A Tribute From Men and Women of Scottish Blood and Sympathies in the United States of America to Scotland."

Crossing the street to meet back up with Alex. Stopping in the middle to wait for my crossing light.

A street market just as I cross at the corner.

Alex, in her blue coat, had crossed over and was walking to where I had been.

A purposeful stride with Edinburgh Castle in the background. The Princes Street Gardens are down below the street. We met up at the corner and strolled purposefully back to our hotel. We are leaving in the morning to fly to Amsterdam and after changing planes will fly on to Paris, France.