Both of us are now together again in Aviemore. Vicky is still not feeling up to continuing over the Cairngorm type terrain, so we put all thought aside of walking in the wilds for a time and talk about where to go over the next few days. After spending another night in the Cairngorm Hotel we decide the place for us for the next few days is Edinburgh. We have never been and this is a chance to explore the city for a few days.
Still my favorite train station (Aviemore)
We leave on the Saturday of the Royal Wedding and thanks to excellent wifi service on Scottish trains we watch the live stream of the ceremony on our 3 hr train ride from Aviemore to Edinburgh.
We both approved of the dress, but thought it could have been a little more custom fitted!
Celebrating on the train on behalf of the new couple. A beer which apparently is only available on the train (excellent @ 7.4 abv) I give it a 4.6 out of 5 and a couple of lime and creme cannolis from the bakery in Aviemore.
I seem to be having a thing for YHA's this trip and I booked us into the YHA in Edinburgh as it was centered almost directly in the middle of downtown, only a couple blocks from the train station. We had to share a bunk room the first night in the male and female only rooms but the second night we got a private room.
It's hard to keep the walking down when there is so much to see but keeping Vicky without any pack weight was helpful on her hip. We climbed to the top of Calton Hill and got a great panorama of the entire city. (top and below)
The Nelson Monument on Carlton Hill
There were entirely too many people around!
Dugald Stewart monument with Edinburgh Castle in the background on the hill
Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park
It is not a complete trip to Scotland unless Vicky is chased by some kind of waterfowl! It started 30 years ago on our first trip when she was chased across the parking lot by a giant swan, this trip it was a Mallard Duck, but in the case I think its intentions where more friendly....
We walked to the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens. A very nice Garden in the center of town and spent the best part of the day just strolling around the various different ecosystems
Some of the various flowering plants that we will see if they can grow in the Missouri climate
The garden smelled lovely and it was the blooming honeysuckle, one of my favorite spring time scents
They had a very nice Chinese garden, but not quite up to the level of the botanical garden in St. Louis, which is recognized as one of the best in the world
We walked to the city center for dinners and strolled around The Royal Mile and the High Street with The Scott Monument
I love the architecture of Edinburgh and could easily live in a flat over the street in any one of these buildings
Lots of desserts to end the days of walking
We spent two full days in Edinburgh and left on a Monday morning. During our time in Edinburgh we hatched a plan. We would resume our walk at the place we should be on the last Tuesday of the Challenge.
Crossing the river Forth on the Forth train bridge, you can see the New Forth Bridge (Queensferry Crossing Bridge) and its iconic architecture.
Coming into Dundee, in the mist of the morning, we are not really sure what these structures are for, but they looked imposing rising out of the mist of the River Tay. (maybe something to do with the shipyards?)
So what are we doing and where are we going? Find out shortly in the next blog post as these logistics took not only all day, but a few humorous twists and turns.
Loved this blog with pictures of all the surrounding area you covered. This was really interesting with Monuments, Edinburgh, etc. Would love to go to Scotland sometime. The people seem so lovely, helpful, etc.
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