Fall in Scotland....

Scotland is full of so much beauty, diversity and history.  We also have been so lucky with our weather....only one overcast, slightly rainy day which forced us to take a small break.  The small break was totally fine because we are staying in a lovely hotel.  My parents have executive status at the Marriott hotels so we have amazing beds, spa services, a hot tub, and the executive lounge.  The perks of traveling with your parents.  Having such lovely accommodations makes it a bit difficult to leave sometimes. However I am in love with this city so exploring has been great.  Now I think I mentioned at the end of my last blog that my dad was having a bit of trouble with his foot after our long hike and walking all over Dublin....well it has gotten worse.  His foot swelled up and he could barely walk which

Hop-Along-Pop

  was going to make getting around town quite difficult.  Luckily the concierge here was fantastic and went back into this secret room and produced crutches that my Dad was able to borrow.  At least now he was able to get around a bit and I could give him a cool nick name...Hop-Along-Pop.  Dad stayed in to rest his foot the first day and my Mom and I took the bus into town to check it all out.  Our hotel is very near the airport and about 25 minutes from town which in my world is perfect.  I love to be close enough to town to get there easily but far enough out that I don't have to be in the middle of it all.  Arriving in Edinburgh was a wonderful surprise.  I had no idea what to expect but was struck by the old beauty of the town. It was a huge contrast to Dublin which was old but not in the same way.  Our bus dropped us right in the middle of town and we began our walk.  Our goal was to find the National Museum of Scotland. I read the map and thought I knew where we were going and for the first bit we were good but then ended up walking the complete opposite way then where we had intended.  Walking the wrong way we did however end up on the Royal Mile which we had been interested in seeing also so it was just

Streets in Edinburgh...Dark beauty.

fine to get lost.  Along the road we stumbled upon this little museum called The Museum of Edinburgh. I had read about it and heard it was a little gem.  I was not disappointed when we walked through.  It was this adorable home in the old town area that was converted into a museum.  The man who greeted us at the door gave us an overview of what we would find in the museum and also a little about the history of the town.  As we walked through I felt like I had been transported back in time.  There were all sorts of little trinkets that represented times and places in the history of this lovely town.  This was the kind of place I could have just settled into

Greenery in the center of the city.

 
and lived in.  Actually there was a small side room in the museum that was set up as a little library with old books, comfy couches and a fire place.  I seriously contemplated just sitting down, opening my book and telling my mom to come find me when I needed to get to the airport.  I did eventually leave the museum and once we were back out on the street I looked around and was struck by the contrast of all the different views I had from one spot.  I could look one way and there were beautiful old buildings stacked on top of each other up into the hillside.  Look the other way and it was beautiful

Buildings stacked on top of each other in a beautiful organization!

greenery surrounding gorgeous old homes and cathedrals.  Turn again and you are looking down a street with shops and dark beauty.  Nothing will ever take the place of London in my heart but I feel like I could enjoy this city in the same way I enjoy london.  There is character, history, and culture.  Now life can be a bit funny but you always have to just go with it.  Since we had our little Hop-Along-Pop we decided that we should do a bus tour around the countryside.  This turned out to be one of the most lovely days.  For starters our tour guide was so incredibly knowledgeable.  I felt like I was being educated on everything as 

Glasgow Cathedral

  we drove.  You all know I am such a nerd when it comes to that sort of stuff so I was in heaven.  I was watching beautiful scenery and I was being educated on the history of what happened in each little bit along the way.  Our first stop even though it was a quick one was such a great intro to how lovely the rest of the day would be.  We had a quick photo stop there and got to experience fall for the first time I felt like on my trip.  The leaves were changing color and there was such a crisp feeling in the air.  I loved it. As much as I am a California girl I am really truly a Northern California girl.  I love my fall.  Maybe it is my love of wearing layers, or just the colors but I love it....call it fall, or autumn or whatever you want but I love it.  It also could be that I really haven't been anywhere outside of San Diego in fall in so many years.  I was so happy to experience it.  We stopped off to check out the cathedral which gave us just a small taste of the city and I loved it.  As we were driving down through town I was just wishing I was there for the day.  That is the hard bit about tours...I want more time at each spot but at least I got to experience it.  After a quick photo stop it was back

Loch Lomond

on the bus headed to the next stop.  This stop involved a lovely boat tour.  We hopped on the boat and set off on the river.  I ran in between upstairs and downstairs taking photos and just enjoying the beautiful scenery.  Trees were turning colors around the gorgeous mansion houses that were now beautiful, very expensive apartments or hotels.  These places were so exclusive that you really could only get there by boat.  If you were staying at these places you really wanted to be left alone and no where near any civilization. Many celebs over the years have stayed there one being Michael Jackson (sorry only one I can remember at the moment).  I was a nice boat tour.  Not necessarily that exciting...probably wouldn't do  it again but it was cool to see the lovely buildings along the river. You also got a view of a castle that Mary Queen of Scotts had lived.  PS....obsessed with learning more about her right now and she is such a huge

I love my parents....together at Sterling Castle!

link into the Tudor dynasty.  There is so much about her life that is amazing and intriguing.  She was a phenomenal woman who was true to herself through everything.  Love that!!!  After the boat tour we drove through the Scottish highlands that was lovely but also surprising.  I thought it would just be over grown normal brush but it was not....it was planted not natural to the area trees.  Honestly a bit disappointing.  It was still really beautiful though.  The drive was kinda windy and I don't do well on thats so unfortunately I had to close my eyes bit but made it without puking!  Success!!!!  The last stop for us which was out of the highlands was Sterling castle.  This was a castle that Mary Queen of Scotts lived in at one time.  I walked all around the outside part of the castle and then the town.  It was really cool.  We didn't have enough time to go inside the castle but again that is just what happens when you are on a bus tour.  I was still amazing and I was happy to have been able to see what I got to see.  It was such a beautiful place.  After our stroll...well mine not Hop-Along-Pops we headed back to the hotel.  The next day we ended up just kinda relaxing around the area.  I was feeling a bit under the weather and dad needed a

Loving fall in Scotland

rest for his foot.  Luckely there are a few spots to hit in the area and some shops which I did a bit of sale shopping in.  Then it was off to the hot tub for some relaxation and muscle therapy.
Scotland has started out beautifully!  Since dad is a bit hurt we will be doing a few more bus tours but I am not bothered.  It is just a different way to see the sights that i would never have done if this would not have happened.  There is always a silver lining around every cloud.  I love that I am getting the chance to be here and travel with my parents.  There are very few people who can say they actually look forward to a holiday with their parents and I am thankful to be one of those few.