Family Visits

A guest post from my Aunt Beth about our trip around Scotland. Enjoy.

Scotland 2009!!!

March 19-Early morning travel with Brittany packing on the way….(thanks John!) to London via Rockford bus, O’Hare flight to Dulles and then to London via United airlines. While in DC..had extra breakfast at Wendy’s..decided not to exchange money. Boarded plane and had movies and food most of the way. No sleep, but arrived at Heathrow and not problem through customs. Changed some $ to pounds for taxi to the Crown Pointe Plaza…no, we could not walk…had our one room with “continental breakfast tray”. Also able to email for 3 L for 15 minutes to let everyone know we are okay. All snored!

March 20- Early back to airport with great taxi driver giving David tips for the next leg as we flew BMI to Edinburgh. No frills airline…Brittany still struggled with ears. Arrived to find the Enterprise counter and the details needed to finally rent our lovely Nissan. Good instructions from young man in the parking lot and we started. Just a couple of lane miscues and we were following the instructions of the Garman device eventually figuring out the roundabouts. Thanks to Ms. Scotty, we were well underway. Finally located the place to rent our apartment at and found Lochend Close..stall 6/3. Got settled in the 2 bedroom apartment ( Craig will love the couch) and headed out to explore High Street. Stopped at a kilt shop and then ate per recommendation next door at the Mitre…walked to the castle and toured complete with a wedding with kilts from the St. Margaret Chapel…pictures with bagpiper and walked through-out the area. Views were great! Stopped at Woolen Mill that also had demonstration of machine weaving the tartans. Continued to find shops up and down the Royal Mile and ended up for chocolate near the Starbuck’s. Waited to meet Craig and then found him in front of St. Giles!!! Craig was sporting his Dublin experience with two black eyes and a cut. Made for interesting conversation….ended up driving to Leith area for seafood dinner at The Ship…never did get the tour on the Royal Yacht! Back to apartment and bed!!!

March 21-Beth did an early morning run out toward Arthur’s Table….and then back up High Street to find coffee….finally at the Ramada. Gathered some rolls and raspberry jelly at the grocer…Craig slept not so well on the couch. After showers, baths and whatever we started our driving day but first with a hike up Arthur’s Table…Dad waited in the car. Made it to the top for great views of the city. Lots of runners and people walking dogs, etc. Saw the Swan Lake and then headed out for the quest to Fierniehurst Castle near Jedburgh. Saw much of the countryside..had lots of questions about farm stuff. Lots of sheep and plowing. Finally found the castle/Kerr estate but it was closed. We walked the long lane and then David went to the caretaker’s home where he was greeted by a young man (grandson) and a German Shepherd. The caretaker’s gave permission for us to walk around as the Kerr’s were not home…looks like they use only occasionally. They will eventually form it into B and B with the younger generation now in ownership. Traveled back into town to email and call from visitor’s center and then had lunch at Carter’s, first McEwan ale also. Our waitress was the mother of the young boy at the caretaker’s home…what a coincidence. She shared more information about the Kerr family for David to share with Tony. Also in town was a road rally…..stayed to watch the finish…but then headed to next quest of finding Lanark/New Lanark. Traveled through some hilly and beautiful country and arrived at tourist center as it was closing. Advised to go to New Lanark and Clyde Falls. Picked up some groceries and then headed to this center that was a social learning community at one time….huge! Down in the valley and then we hiked to the falls…nice trail but falls was not that great. Getting more blustery so walked back and then drove through new countryside back to city. Saw car in ditch as we needed to reroute due to another accident. Back to apartment and then up High Street for supper….Craig’s place to go had stopped serving food so we ended up at the Albanach pub and had our first haggis….not bad….even Brittany ate it! Craig ended up on cushions for the night.

March 22-Sunday- Beth ran to Swan Lake and then for coffee from Starbuck’s. We headed for church at St. Giles cathedral….good but non-smiling choir and long communion. The church is one of the early Scottish Reformation congregations….much like Presbyterian. Craig took us to the Elephant Room where JK Rowling first had her inspiration for Harry Potter when looking out the window at the castle. Kept notes in the table and now people write notes and place in the drawer. After hassle with check out we headed to Palace of Holyrood across from Scottish Parliament building. This is former residence of Mary, Queen of Scots and is the residence of the monarch, Queen Elizabeth when she is in Edinburgh. Great tour (listening devices) and history. Also went to the ruins of the attached Abbey…good pics. Started our tour of Scotland by heading to the city of Perth. Crossed the long bridge and finally found a B and B…Dorothy and husband..the Rosemount. They added bed to one room so all could sleep. It is British Mother’s (Mum’s) Day so the restaurants might be crowded. Headed to the recommended Paco’s which opened at 4:30….so saw the concert hall and decided to later attend a “traditional” Scottish offering of music, band, choir and comic!! Dinner was great and Paco (back from Spain) became the contact for our later contacts for farms and market tours. The concert was a kick…..reels, marches, jigs complete with a director that rivals Warren G. Loved the plaid pants and the various dances he gave to get all inspired! The choir almost had a young girl faint…mostly American music from them as they are raising funds for a tour to the US. The comic was difficult to understand..but funny at times. Quite the day as we ended at 10:30!!!!!

March 23-Michelle’s BD-First full Scottish B and B breakfast. Cereal, juice, yogurt, sausage, fried egges, haggis, bacon/ham, tomatoes, mushrooms, pudding, coffee or tea. Then on the road to St. Andrews-countryside included the planting of barley, tons of sheep. Windy but sunny and then changeable. Arrived at the Old Course Links-visited pro shop. David and Craig played 9 holes on the Eden course while Dad, Britt and Beth toured the Old Course hotel with guide, Winston. Herb Kohler of Kohler faucets, etc in Wisconsin owns this now and Winston related much of the history and showed us through the hotel including the bar at the top. The R and A (Royal and Ancients) are an exclusive committee. Today the staff is working on the course so could take pictures on the bridge. We continued on by walking downtown past St. Andrew’s University and toured the castle. Much history of the early founding in 11th century and then of the rebellion of the Jacobites when they killed the bishop in 1700’s. A tunnel was discovered in the late 1800’s that had been in existence since the 1500’s. We continued and walked to the ruins of the most massive cathedral long sanctuary. Back through town….looked at ice cream, bought golf ball for Pastor Karen and then met up with David and Craig. Their golf was very windy but most enjoyable. Took pics, got ice cream and took David and Craig to the cathedral before heading towards Aberdeen. Wanted to stop at Dunattour Castle near Stonehaven. It was a great castle even in the rain…closed but unbelievable rainbows and hike and site. Dad stayed in car. We saw some rabbits and maybe a white mink/ferret. On to Aberdeen to see Craig’s abode and also call Mom, John and Jennifer. Ate at a downtown restaurant that had been converted from a church…now also a casino. Then on the road to find the elusive farm B and B with Elizabeth and Graham Harper. We ended up on several gravel/dirt roads but finally prevailed and were in by 10:30! David took the individual room. The actual location was Burnside…near Invernurie. Nice rooms!

March 24-Beth ran a short distance while David toured the farm with Graham…cattle operation on about 150 acres. Another full Scottish breakfast in their kitchen with the hearth and fireplace. Had been in the family for three generations. Son and wife live behind in a cottage. Great conversations and visits from their border collies, Kyle and Judy. We all toured the barns and area while David went for L’s for payment at Morrison’s. After check out we headed for Inverness. Many times for pictures and questions about why horses wear blankets???? We finally found the Jacobite cruises and a boat that left on the Loch Ness at 2. Quite windy and choppy. We all stayed in downstairs cabin at first. A few people were a bit green…Beth went up on top….Craig had already been up….Quite wonderful to see the scenery but still very choppy!! As she headed back down…..huge spray from wave hit her head on…Craig got the shot. Boat docked at Urquehurt Castle and then it was decided to take boat to side of Loch Ness as the water was too rough. Conversation with the female captain and then we and the two Domino’s pizza guys were taken back and boarded bus back to Clanside Hotel. We traveled back to Inverness and found exchange at the M and S department store. We then found pub while David and Craig brought the car and then had late lunch/dinner before heading to our CASTLE night! Brittany had found this on web. We drove into the highlands and saw timber, forests and more sheep and cattle grazing at various heights!!!!. The castle was very cool and we had a room with 5 bunk beds….as it is a youth hostel. After fitting our beds with sheets, duvet covers and pillow tops…we explored. Our room had a shared bathroom at the end of the hall. Lots of cool places…library, dining room, etc. We decided to find food in nearby town….and ended up at a “7 Eleven” type of place for snacks and beverages. Back at the castle, we played cards in the dining room until bedtime. The night had some howling winds and interesting middle of the night finding the bathroom experiences!!

March 25 –Early morning run by Beth was more a walk back up the hill….a bit chilly. And then cold showers….Britt and Dad opted no way…then on the road after good pics in front and on stairways to head to Skye….and yes…we missed the bridge picture. The drive was filled with new and beautiful scenery at every turn. Stopped for coffee on the way. Craig ate really bad doughnuts….Since we have decided to go to the cattle tour on Friday we will not head to Ireland…so will spend the day and night on Skye Island. Crossed the bridge and headed toward Talisker Distillery.. Our one and only whisky tour. The tour began at 1 rather than 12 so had time for lunch at the Old Way Inn….quite unique and complete with a dog that played pool! Tried the local brew….fun place. The tour was great and very informative. The tasting was not most of our cup of tea….understand the need for water with whisky. Tried several very wee drams of the more exclusive. Dad had great stories of Johnnie Walker. Talisker is a huge distributor. Interesting facts of US Bourbon barrels and how much storage is needed. But had to stop for pictures and almost a petting zoo experience with Highland cattle On to Portree the capitol of Skye and found the Meadowland B and B. near the shore line. Went for great driving tour to the top of the Island. Saw waterfalls, Kilt Cliffs (pleats) sheep and cattle. Returned to Portree and walked to the harbor and through the town. Quite the dilemma for dinner and ended up at McNab’s which was not as good. Back to the B and B…Britt and Beth stayed warm and watched the English version of the Apprentice. The others had no heat…

March 26-John’s Birthday!- Made to order breakfast Scottish style….and then checked out and on the road to Ft. Williams…through mountains and to Ben Nevis base. Saw goats on the way…This is Britain’s tallest mountain. The gondolas were not running due to the high winds and cold temps. Finally in range to call John for his birthday! At the visitor’s center the young man recommended we hike to the meadow crossing a waterfalls to the gorge where part of Braveheart was filmed. Of course we had no hiking boots…Dad stayed in car…while the rest of us set out . We encountered backpackers and trail folks who all looked at us a bit strange…but we had a good but cold hike. David and Craig went all the way. Then after the hike we went into Ft. Williams to a coffee house, Fired Up for lunch and to use the free Wi-Fi…..we finally settled on the Marriott in Aberdeen for our next two days and Craig will stay in dorm. We headed out and drove through the Grampian Mountains…also Ms. Scotty took us through Dufftown/Glenfiddich and the rows and rows of barrels and storage for whisky. A long day of driving but unbelievable scenery…..Ate at a downtown Pizzaria! Then getting on line at Craig’s dorm, complete with fire alarm. Arrived back at Marriott and great beds!

March 27-Beth tried out workout room……and then great buffet breakfast…even salmon. Britt is liking fried eggs and baked beans for breakfast. Picked up Craig and onto the cattle/livestock day at Thainstone market center in Invernuie. WOW 3 rings of auction…..huge lots of cattle and sheep. Met up with Ian Cathers who gave us initial orientation and then we watched many rings. Met howie the butcher for Paco’s and noticed that many people were watching us…..Had a great roast beef lunch with another Ian….head of Aberdeen Association and publisher of magazines. Then after pictures and gifts of whisky for our hosts..we did an afternoon of farm tours. Mostly Ian Cathers but also a Mr. Massey who has Angus and Charlois bulls and herds. Visited some commercial sites..also story of Queen Victoria viewing the cattle….same cattle/different leads so that she thought there were many more than at hand. David conversed with Ian a great deal….much of farming concerns similar to those in US. Quite a long day of cattle, sheep and even orphan lambs….but very gracious of Mr. Mathers to show us around.
Back to the Marriott…David and Craig found Chinese and Craig drove for a bit!!

March 28- Beth ran and biked and then we all had another great breakfast…went to Craig’s corm..called Mom, found hotel in Edinburgh and then said goodbye to Craig…..will miss him. He plan to go to Italy next! Traveled to Edinburgh, checked into hotel and shopped..thinking all was well. Found kilt maker and ordered…books, scarves, souveniers and even the deep fried Snicker’s bar. After great snack at the St. Giles café including David’s Innis and Gunn….we discovered our vehicle had been towed…After taxi and 130 pounds we had car back and were quite ready to take back to Enterprise. David had quite the experience returning the car….but ended up at the hotel pub for last snacks and ales. Soccor on the TV while visiting with gentleman, son and his grandfather on their way to Paris Disney.

March 29-HOME After trip we were ready to head home…BMI flight to London and stand in line for Heathrow VAT refund….Dave and Britt got it…Beth did not. Long line and wait for the Air Canada flight after David had to check his bag…The flight was great….all kinds of movies and choices..and free wine. We were in rows 60 and 61 so they ran out of meat snacks for last one. Arrived in Toronto….finally got David’s bag and then made an earlier flight after passing customs back to Chicago. Traveled by bus and home after Rick picked us up.

Great time and Stories!!!