Day 3 - London to Edinburgh

Today was a really cool one as we started off at King's Cross Station in London where we caught our train to Edinburgh. The city just finished a renovation of the station and it was quite a site for an American unaccustomed to train travel. We even found Platform 9 3/4 (Harry Potter).

Once on board in our first class cabin (fancy! ha!) we were served a wonderful breakfast and were amazed at the speed and smoothness of the ride. We've all decided this was THE best way to see the countryside and to get to Edinburgh. We even got lunch on the train too.

We arrived in Edinburgh at about 2:00, rented our car, and then drove to our B&B which is a substantial step up from the previous nights. After getting settled in our rooms, we trekked out to see the sites. The first thing I noticed was how green Scotland is. Additionally, Edinburgh has a very avant garde population: suits, ties, dresses, blue hair, ear holes, piercings galore. The second thing is that all the old buildings look very dirty. I later learned this is because of all the smoke that used to billow throughout the city from its stoves and fireplaces.

After seeing the Sir Walter Scott Memorial, we grabbed a quick snack and headed to Edinburgh Castle which has history dating back to the Bronze Age! This complex is huge and is built upon a natural outcropping of rock, high above the city. It would be nearly impenetrable back in the day. One of the most interesting buildings is St. Margaret's Chapel which was built in the 12th Century...nearly 1,000 years ago! The crown jewels of Scotland are also on display in the castle along with the private apartments of Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots.

After seeing the castle, we walked to the Camera Obscura. This is a lighthouse looking building that has a camera mounted at the top. Inside, you can move it around to get a 360 degree view of Edinburgh. It uses mirrors and a concave base to complete the experience. Hard to describe, but cool!

We then had dinner at the Theatre Royal Bar which was excellent (including the sticky toffee pudding for dessert). To walk off the calories, we then hiked up Monument Hill to view the Parthenon replica that was started in 1824 and abandoned in 1829, unfinished. We could also see Hollyrood Palace and the Queen might actually be in residence there. Maybe we'll meet for tea and crumpets tomorrow. I need to practice drinking with my pinky extended.

We start tomorrow by hiking up Arthur's Seat which is a very steep hill on the east side of town. The view should be amazing if we can get the low clouds to blow away. After being hot in London for 2 days, we're loving the upper 50s and wind in Scotland. And interestingly, the sun set at 9:43 pm tonight and rises at 4:37 in the morning! The Scottish accent is also wonderful here! It's like a whole town of Eric Binnies. We also got paid a compliment by an older couple on train with us today. They asked where we were from and they commented that we sure sounded like we were having fun; they couldn't have been more right!

Cheers everyone!