In Edinburgh, we drove around the city as a brief orientation to get around. Then a local guide named Liz joined us and took us to Edinburgh castle. The view was marvellously breathtaking, and the history was fascinating. You can definitely tell that there's animosity between the Scots and the English, even in the way they both describe the same events. Like the stone of Scone (pronounced "schoon"), or the stone of Destiny, which is used when crowning the new monarchs (it sits under the coronation chair). The English like to say that it went "back and forth between England and Scotland", while our Scottish local guide said that it was "stolen" from them.
After the castle, we went past a pub called Greyfriars Bobby, which is named after a dog named Bobby who's owner was a soldier and died in combat. The dog was extremely loyal and heartbroken, he went to his owner's grave every day and at 1 o'clock he'd head to this pub where he'd be fed scraps. However, the Scottish parliament wanted to pass a law that all dogs need a license, but Bobby didn't have an owner so he was almost put down. Fortunately, he was so loved by everyone that the mayor decided to let Bobby live. His grave site is by the pub.
As we explored Edinburgh, we saw a guy playing Guantanamea and it was stuck in my head all day. We went on a search for fish and chips for lunch, and we were told we could get it at a pub. We went into this one pub but it was oddly terrifying and I got out of there as fast as I could. The next pub called The Black Rose Tavern was a little better. But you have to be 18 to even be on the premises so I got carded for the first time (and passed!).
We went our separate ways for an hour and I got to go shopping at H&M (again) and Primark, a place Kitty raved on and on about. It was really awesomely priced but I decided I would save my shopping for Dublin!
We had a drink in the famous Barmoral Hotel and then rejoined out group to visit this amazing bridge in Queensferry and the Falkirk wheel. Chris gave us some shortbread and Drambuie to try. It's a Scottish whiskey blend with honey. It used to be only made for royals until the man who invented it released his recipe. Though it was strong at first, I actually liked it. After seeing the wheel, which transports pleasure boats, we went straight to dinner with our group back in Glasgow. It was excellent, as almost all our meals have been so far, and the creme brûlée was also good though it had an orange-y twinge to it.
So that was today, and tomorrow we get up even EARLIER to catch a ferry to Belfast, Ireland! I can't wait to go there, especially because I'm Irish myself.
Till next time xx,
Sierra
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