Day 51 Greenock, Scotland

July 9

Today we arrived in Greenock, Scotland. The heat wave at this end of the world continues, we hit around 27 degrees today. We had a lovely greeting and farewell from the locals. There was a giant dancing Scotsman, his walk like a penguin. Looked like he was busting for the bathroom, hoping from foot to foot. 

We had a two hour bus ride bypassing Glasgow, to Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. When we arrived in Edinburgh we had a bus tour of the new town area, followed by a stop at Holyroodhouse Palace, the official residence of the Queen when staying in Scotland. We then had a short bus tour of the old town area, followed by a tour of Edinburgh Castle. After lunch we had free time to walk about and do some shopping.

I loved what I saw of Edinburgh it is a very pretty city. 

Our greeting, a lone Scotsman playing the bagpipe, and a giant dancing Scotsman.   

The giant dancing Scotsman (The one on the left).

Leaving Greenock. I'll have the house on the right thanks.

The three large heads. Art work we passed on our journey to Edinburgh, I think it is dedicated to the men who have lost their lives in the coal industry.

Another art piece. This one plays tunes to passing motorists. I am not sure you can actually hear it from inside a vehicle.

Got an appointment at the Doctors honey. Hehe

Example of a 18th century new town street. Architect James Craig designed a grid of streets that are symmetrical and attractive. This construction of the new quarter area was promoted to correct the horrid sanitation of the older city. Every chimney on each of these Georgian houses shows how many fire places per residence. Can you imagine the amount of smoke.

Georgian house in the new town area. You can actually visit inside one of the Georgian houses on Charlotte Square, no.7 I think. 

Head over to the old town area, at the lower end of the Royal Mile is The Palace of Holyroodhouse the official residence of the Queen when in Scotland.

Scottish Parliament.

This is where the Princess Anne's daughter was married.

This is Grassmarket, which used to be the place for executions as well as a produce mart. The burgundy colour pub in the picture is called the Last Drop.

A view of Edinburgh Castle from Grassmarket. The Castle dominates the entire landscape with its 12th century battlements.

View from Castle Hill (little street before the entrance to Edinburgh Castle.

View to the Castle from the Esplanade where the Edinburgh Tattoo is held every year.

Entrance to the castle.

Portcullis Gate. Built after a long siege of 1571-3, serves as the main gateway into the castle. The top story was added in 1887.

Great view of West Princess Street Gardens and beyond to new town area. Princess Street (where all the buses are) is mostly a shopping strip.

They fire the gun at 1pm each day (except Sunday I think). It sounded like a car backfiring, loudly.

Citadel from the outside view.

Official residence of the governor (left of the tree) and houses for the Master Gunner and the Storekeeper.

Foog's Gate. The main entrance to the citadel.

The Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.

Royal Palace. The residence of the Stewart Kings and Queens in the 15th and 16th centuries. The birthplace of King James VI in 1566, and the home of the Scottish Crown Jewels. The crown, sceptre and sword of state used in the 1543 coronation of Mary Queen of Scots are on display in the ancient crown room. The Stone of Scone, where Kings sat to be crowned was also present. The Stone of Scone is still used for the same purpose today. Sorry, we weren't allowed to take photos in the crown room.

View to Waverley train station from the castle.

View from the castle gates to the Esplanade. 

The Royal Mile, the heart of the Old Town. Along the way are old shops, markets and countless side streets.

One of the side streets off the Royal Mile.

On the right is a statue of Bobby the dog. The story is that Bobby was the dog of a Policeman. When the Policeman died, Bobby stuck by his grave for 14 years. The locals fed him scraps.

Royal Mile.

Northbridge (from old town to new town). 

Many people out enjoying the rare hot weather. View of old town.

Little garden in the West Princess Street Gardens.

View of Edinburgh Castle from the West Princess Street Gardens.

Waverley Bridge and view of the Scott Monument. Erected in 1846 to celebrate the life and work of Sir Walter Scott, the author of the Waverley Novels. The locals call it Thunderbird 3. Hehe. 

Princess Street. Popular shopping strip.

Our farewell was really lovely. Lots of passengers were watching from balconies, clapping and cheering them on.

Tomorrow we have a sea day.