this trip's overview

San Francisco to Glasgow

Babbity Bowster, Glasgow

Babbity theme

Glasgow

George Square, Glasgow

Glasgow shopping

Glasgow for kids

Culzean Castle

Aberfoyle, Trossachs

Doune Castle

Sterling Castle

Ballachulish

Corpach, Ft. Williams

Loch Ness

Glenfinnan

Pink Guest House, Isle of Skye

Brae Ness, Inverness

Urquhart Castle

The Summer Isles

Ibis, Edinburgh

Omi in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle

The Witchery

Craigmuller Castle

back to Glasgow

Edinburgh to Düsseldorf

restaurant recommendations

20 July 2003

Today is Omi Marga's last full day in Edinburgh.

Despite having Lila fall asleep rather early in the evening, whilst we were at The Grain Store, she and Isaac slept in 'till 0900. Luxurious sleep :-)

Since our Edinburgh Tours ticket - good for twenty-four hours - doesn't run out until almost mid-day, we decide to hop on a bus after our breakfast at The Filling Station, on the Royal Mile. The bus tour is better the second time around; I'm getting a feel for the layout of the city and am actually able to see what's being described, rather than being overwhelmed by the newness of it all. The Old City is charming beyond belief; the New City (still older than the United States) is interesting but not inviting.

Finally we visit the most imposing and famous place in the city, Edinburgh Castle, one terminus of the Royal Mile. We see the crown jewels, which, without being given descriptive justice, include a crown, a sceptre, and a sword / scabbard / sword belt of gold and silver thread. Not as ostentatiously impressive as England's crown jewels, but older and closer to the citizenry. Even better to see was the Stone of Destiny, a description of which will be added.

Next to the Castle is the Knitting Centre, where rather lame demonstrations and exhibits showcase the weaving of wool into famous Scottish items. We saw much better in the Trossachs, for example. The Whiskey Centre is across the street, but Omi has no stomach for it, sadly.

We have an early dinner at Wee Windaes, on the Royal Mile. Good food, but pricier than necessary, charges ten per cent service fee (the only place we've seen which does so) AND leaves a place on the credit card slip for and additional tip. Service was very slow; understaffing.

The kids seem to be begging for sleep, so we stroll the few yards down the Royal Mile back to Hunter Square, to our hotel, but in that time they loose their minds, and are bouncing off the wall, keeping each other awake. Rose and I each take a kid in a pram on a separate walk. Neither falls asleep quickly. We're pretty tired because of it. Must sleep.

2003 Scotland: The Witchery by the Castle