Million Shades of Green

Last Monday morning, Jane and I boarded a train bound for Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. The journey through the east coast of Britain was nice, it was good to momentarily get out of a big city. When we arrived in Scotland, the landscape immediately started changing to rolling hills, and cliffs next to the sea. A little girl on the train exclaimed “I can see the sea” over and over again. We arrived a little past 4 o’clock and as we walked into Edinburgh our jaws dropped. The architecture was absolutely stunning. Castles and ornate details were everywhere. Our mission was to find a place to stay, then grab dinner.

The hostel didn’t have any private rooms left, only segregated dorms, so Jane and I opted to spend a bit more at a B & B. They wanted 70£ a night for the double, but we negotiated down to 50£, breakfast excluded. But the next morning, the hostess was so kind to allow us some french press coffee, and toast with marmalade. We settled in with a bottle of Rioja and some delicious cheese, before heading out on the town for dinner. We walked uphill, brick roads and winding hillside streets were everywhere. I wanted Scotish food, so we found this great restaurant, and ordered a wee taste of Haggis, Scotish muscles, and Scotish beef stew with dumplings. Everything was awesome, to be brief, I could write a restaurant review, we complimented the meal with a cast conditioned ale, 80 Shiling, and a nip of whiskey. They had 96 flavors to choose from, the prices were great too. Then we walked toward Edinburgh castle, plotted our next morning, and took magnificent night photos before settling in for the night.

The next day would be long and action packed. We explored Edinburgh castle for two hours, saw the Scotish crown jewels, sampled some free whiskey, then grabbed some fish and chips and boarded the train to Inverness, taking the scenic route through Aberdeen along the east coast. The country side was breath-taking. I even saw some challenging golf courses along the cliff’s edge, kinda like Pebble Beach. The brief stop in Aberdeen allowed us to streatch our legs, and check out the town. Then we headed toward Inverness, through one part of Scotland’s whiskey country. I am not lying when I say you can smell the distillaries. The train wizzed past a few of them, including where they make Chivas Regal in Kieth Scotland. Don’t worry Mr. Fritz, Jane and I thought of you and got pictures of the name of the town and distillary.

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Jane and I then just made the last train back to London through the heart of Scotland and were again blown away with the landscape. This is where all mountains and forests and fern gullys lay. A quick stop in Glasgow before continuing the long journey home, this time on the western part of Britain. This three day stint felt like a week, considering all we saw and did. We are going back to Scotland in 3 weeks to explore Glasgow and maybe some of the western islands. Such a beautiful country.

Today, Saturday, Jane and I are heading downtown.  The Thames River Festival going on, a free Scissor Sisters concert in Trafalgar Square, and then the ND game at 8:30 local time. Should be crowded, but fun nonetheless.