Day 4, June 9th: We left comfy St. Ermin's hotel in London to head up to Scotland for a few days. But wait, what's this?! Syd just remembered that she brought Flat Stanley to photograph on this trip (she just read the book). So this next section should be called "Flat Stanley goes to Scotland".
Can you spot him?
Train to Plane
Sweet Fancy Moses, the London TSA is way different than the American TSA. They were NOT OKAY with how many personal hygiene liquids I was carrying in my suitcase. I was yelled at and berated for a solid 15 minutes while trying to decide what to keep and what to throw away. Covered in spring sweat and thoroughly remorseful, we made it onto the plane. I felt that this gin fizz was very much deserved. And I NEVER use the word "deserve" lightly.
We flew from London to the top of Scotland, a little town called Inverness located in The Highlands.
hot dog monologue by these two, surprisingly, didn't get old
"boy, oh boy, a hot and steamy hot dog weinie", "with stadium sauce"
"now that's a good lookin' weiner"
We had the BEST lunch at a local restaurant called Number 27 Bar and Kitchen. The town of Inverness is small and quaint, very walkable. It was fun to stay for a couple of days and experience small town Scotland!
There were a few local castles to check out, but they weren't letting people in at this time. This town was still requiring masks in some places - I don't think everything had been reopened after the pandemic shutdown just yet.
We found a great old school playground by our hotel. Syd declared it the "highlight of the trip", which always makes parents' cringe when the highlight is something that can be done at home. For free.
Flat Stanley seemed to enjoy himself
The kids were mostly great at staying calm in the hotels and restaurants. They look nice and chill here, but the next night we had to send them to the rooms to go wild. We had originally booked an airbnb in Inverness for just that reason - so they could run wild - but it didn't work out. This was fun too though, room service to the rescue! And we got to see a wedding party, complete with kilts and bagpipes.
The buildings were so old and beautiful. This church had a lush little yard surrounding it.
Scotland's buildings looked much older than anything we saw in London.
Day 5, June 10th: On a tour bus, headed to the Loch Ness!
This Columba Hotel looks straight out of a Wes Anderson film
We get to ride on a boat! Who will spot the Loch Ness Monster first?
Flat Stanley wins, he saw Nessie first!
The wind was BRISK.
Our boat took us across the Loch to Urquhart Castle - built 13th century
Imagine a winter wind whipping through this window, straight off the Loch. Brrrr.
The jail cell - eeek!
This was one of my favorite outings of the whole trip. It was so neat and you could really imagine people living there 800 years ago, freezing their petunias off.
The Loch Ness was beautiful! Loch means lake in these parts.
these two sloths have to rest more than the rest of us
Amanda always clutch with the optimism
Haggis time: the official food of Scotland, two brave souls in our group tried it (JKK and Beck!). They said it wasn't bad, but they didn't order it again. Described it as a Scottish sheep sausage with some weird seasonings.
The kids got to take a quick dip in the hotel pool! Always good for their mental health.
The adults played some Old Maid and drank some Rusty Nails...because when in Scotland, you drink Drambuie - made in the Isle of Skye area. (I'm sad we didn't get to go to the Isle of Skye, it looks gorgeous; will put it on future list)
We are having a great time! Everyone is getting along so well and it's fun to have friends on vacation!
Day 6, June 11th: Early morning at the train station - headed to Edinburgh. Not a drop of coffee to be found...ouch.
This was only a three hour train ride. We much preferred travel by train over plane. They have a concession stand and you get to see the countryside - lots of sheep! (And no one cared how many liquids I had in my bag.)
Plenty of fluffy sheep out there!
Edinburgh: It looked so incredibly old and damp and kind of creepy. It was extremely crowded and the worst weather of our whole trip. I'm glad we came, but I'm more glad we only stayed one day.
Greyfriars Bobby was a little dog known for spending 14 years guarding his owner's grave in the 19th century.
For several of our group, seeing places related to the Harry Potter books was a real highlight! This is a cafe where JK Rowling used to write! Several of the early Harry Potter books were partially penned right here!
(Note: there was a fire recently and it is no longer open, so we couldn't go inside)Victoria Street is where the author based Diagon Alley on. It was a cool little street full of shops and cafes and bars that made a sweeping curve down a cobblestone road.
Anyone need a wand? Butterbeer?
Regretting that shorts choice
Edinburgh Castle - home to kings and queens for many centuries. It's so old, the original fortress dates into prehistory - the Iron Age. I was unable to take a good pic that day with so many people there and a gloomy sky, so here is one from Google.
Millie at the front gate
Climbing Castle Hill, just like soldiers used to.
It had some cool views, which JKK appreciates!
The kids could give a shit about the history, but they were pretty good about humoring me with pics.
"Baaahhhhhh, I'm SCOTTISH" is another thing we heard a hundred times.
Beware - it's quite loud, so only outdoors!
lots of gothic architecture here
Greyfriars Kirk is the church (built around 1600 AD) with the graveyard behind it that has Greyfriars Bobby (the dog mentioned above) buried close to his master. Also, many of JK Rowling's character names were taken from headstones here (Potter, McGonagall, Moodie, Scrymgeour, Thomas Riddell). Nearby you'll find the gates to George Heriot's school, which many see as the inspiration for Hogwarts!
A fun little stop at the World of Illusions
Who's Scottish?? Let 'er rip kids. (Note: Heath actually has quite a bit of Scottish blood!)
It's infectious!
Plenty of creepy to see here.
I took a pic of the kids and then asked them to return the favor...
...they did not understand the assignment.
Syd picked up a bowtruckle named Pickett in a Diagon Alley store, since he's a favorite of ours on the Fantastic Beasts movie!
Day 7, June 12th: On a train back to London! Since it was about 5 hours on the train, we splurged on the good seats. They brought us meals and drinks and it was very VIP.
Even if the kids had to sit with strangers periodically. ;) This man was a doctor and when there were a medical emergency announcement asking if a doctor was on board, he went to help. Added a little excitement!
A lovely landscape Scotland, we are happy to have seen it!
Meanwhile back home...
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