Saturday, April 23, 2011

Edinburgh

We took the train to Edinburgh in the morning. Forty minute ride and an easy walk to the station, so getting there was no big deal. When we arrived, it was raining. Not a driving rain, but raining nonetheless. We didn't really have a plan for the day. We knew that the castle was an option so we started out in that direction. Because of the rain, we hit the National Museum of Scotland which is on the way to the castle. Their collection is wonderful and it was interesting to see a Vermeer there in a style that is really different from what one thinks a Vermeer is. Other stuff was cool also and the girls enjoyed drawing pictures as part of the activities offered for kids. Great museum.

We continued on our way to the castle in the rain and waited for 20 minutes or so in line until we reached the spot that listed the prices - 14 pounds for adults, 8.5 for kids. Crazy. The castle and the Stone of Destiny may be cool but 50 bucks cool, maybe / maybe not. We bolted.

We spent the rest of our time in E. at a coffee shop and a really cool church. We also walked the Royal Mile which is where all the tourists are. Well, the tourists are other places too, but they are really on the Royal Mile. Along this route you could buy kilts, whiskey, tartan and tweed from any number of shops. It was super crowed and this was a rainy day. Can't even imagine what it is like in the summer or during Fringe. We hit the train around 3 - cutting our trip short as the rain was putting a damper on things.

Edingurgh is nice. Old and nice and it has a charm to it, but in the rain and with the tons of tourists running around it was nice to be back in Glasgow. Touristed, but in a chill way and open in feel in a way that E. is not. Plus, it is sunny here.

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