Well, we have returned from a fab week in Scotland and are, needless to say, finding it a drag being back at work (bring on Portugal!) Thankfully, we do have a few other things coming up to look forward to in the meantime, starting Friday with drinks with an old workmate of Dave's we ran into in Pamplona (of all places), and continuing with the Pimms Summerfest, London Eye and Thames cruise, a day trip to either Brighton or Oxford, and the infamous Notting Hill carnival (very much looking forward to that.) However, I am here to update you on our week in the land of the Scots, so here 'tis.
Our Easyjet flight to Inverness took off at half six last Sunday morning. We had booked a cruise of Loch Ness beforehand, so after a leisurely breakfast and a bit of a stroll around the town, we hopped on the bus to take us to our boat. The three hour cruise was great; the weather alternated between sunny blue skies and brooding rain clouds - with the occasional soaking - but the stormy skies added to the atmosphere of Loch Ness. And I am disappointed to say no, we didn't see the monster.
Next up was Stirling, which was a tiny slip up, as we had to go through Perth to get there, but never mind. We visited Stirling Castle, and then took a walk from there to the William Wallace Monument on the top of a hill looking down on Stirling Bridge, where Wallace and his followers had a significant victory over the English.
In the morning we hopped on a train to Perth, a charming, picturesque little town that reminded me of Katoomba or Leura with its cute little shops and cafes. We decided to go out to Scone Palace, about 10 mins out of the city centre. We toured the staterooms of the palace, strolled the lovely gardens (despite a little rain), and ventured into the maze, returning to Perth for a nice dinner, followed the next morning by a great breakfast at our B&B.
The next day we hit Edinburgh!! August in Edinburgh is full on festival time, and we were there for the Fringe Festival. The city was bursting at the seams. The Royal Mile was absolutely chockers with buskers, street performers and people were everywhere all the time; it was full on and fantastic. We arrived on a Wednesday and set off down the Mile and were immediately offered tickets to a play for a pound each! It was called 'The Open Couple' and a good way to start our Fringe experience. Next up we went to a free comedy gig in a bar, and that night we saw Danny Bhoy and a guy called Matt Kirshen (who is cute and very funny - highly recommended).
Thursday morning saw us up at Edinburgh Castle when the gates opened, thankfully managing to avoid the worst of the crowds. Next up we decided to jump on an Auld Reekie tour of the underground vaults, where I may have been a little scared (I wish I could say 'we', but I'm on my own with that one). Our first show in the afternoon was a comedy production called 'The Americans' - a little ho-hum. Then Bill Bailey! (who was BRILLIANT), followed by a girl called Danielle Ward.
Friday was our busiest (and best) day. We kicked it off with a free show (always good) by two American comedians, followed by another free gig (in one of the vaults no less - not so scary with lights and music!) by a guy called Andrew O'Neill, another comedian I can now highly recommend. After a quick trip back to the hostel to freshen up, we saw Justin Moorhouse, Fiona O'Loughlin, and to top it all off, a show called 'Adam, Jason and Friends', featuring Adam Hills, Irish comedian Jason Byrne, and aforementioned friends. The friends bit was ho-hum, but Adam and Jason were HILARIOUS and easily up there in the top two or three shows we saw over the four days.
Saturday we took it a bit easier with a trip out to Home of Golf St Andrews, and just the one show in the evening - Andrew Lawrence (very funny man). Sunday morning we flew home exhausted.
Wow, if you're still with us after all that here are some happy snaps. We took about 500 photos over the week, and I've tried to not put too many up. Till next time, enjoy!
Our Easyjet flight to Inverness took off at half six last Sunday morning. We had booked a cruise of Loch Ness beforehand, so after a leisurely breakfast and a bit of a stroll around the town, we hopped on the bus to take us to our boat. The three hour cruise was great; the weather alternated between sunny blue skies and brooding rain clouds - with the occasional soaking - but the stormy skies added to the atmosphere of Loch Ness. And I am disappointed to say no, we didn't see the monster.
Next up was Stirling, which was a tiny slip up, as we had to go through Perth to get there, but never mind. We visited Stirling Castle, and then took a walk from there to the William Wallace Monument on the top of a hill looking down on Stirling Bridge, where Wallace and his followers had a significant victory over the English.
In the morning we hopped on a train to Perth, a charming, picturesque little town that reminded me of Katoomba or Leura with its cute little shops and cafes. We decided to go out to Scone Palace, about 10 mins out of the city centre. We toured the staterooms of the palace, strolled the lovely gardens (despite a little rain), and ventured into the maze, returning to Perth for a nice dinner, followed the next morning by a great breakfast at our B&B.
The next day we hit Edinburgh!! August in Edinburgh is full on festival time, and we were there for the Fringe Festival. The city was bursting at the seams. The Royal Mile was absolutely chockers with buskers, street performers and people were everywhere all the time; it was full on and fantastic. We arrived on a Wednesday and set off down the Mile and were immediately offered tickets to a play for a pound each! It was called 'The Open Couple' and a good way to start our Fringe experience. Next up we went to a free comedy gig in a bar, and that night we saw Danny Bhoy and a guy called Matt Kirshen (who is cute and very funny - highly recommended).
Thursday morning saw us up at Edinburgh Castle when the gates opened, thankfully managing to avoid the worst of the crowds. Next up we decided to jump on an Auld Reekie tour of the underground vaults, where I may have been a little scared (I wish I could say 'we', but I'm on my own with that one). Our first show in the afternoon was a comedy production called 'The Americans' - a little ho-hum. Then Bill Bailey! (who was BRILLIANT), followed by a girl called Danielle Ward.
Friday was our busiest (and best) day. We kicked it off with a free show (always good) by two American comedians, followed by another free gig (in one of the vaults no less - not so scary with lights and music!) by a guy called Andrew O'Neill, another comedian I can now highly recommend. After a quick trip back to the hostel to freshen up, we saw Justin Moorhouse, Fiona O'Loughlin, and to top it all off, a show called 'Adam, Jason and Friends', featuring Adam Hills, Irish comedian Jason Byrne, and aforementioned friends. The friends bit was ho-hum, but Adam and Jason were HILARIOUS and easily up there in the top two or three shows we saw over the four days.
Saturday we took it a bit easier with a trip out to Home of Golf St Andrews, and just the one show in the evening - Andrew Lawrence (very funny man). Sunday morning we flew home exhausted.
Wow, if you're still with us after all that here are some happy snaps. We took about 500 photos over the week, and I've tried to not put too many up. Till next time, enjoy!
The Royal Mile
Waiting for Danny Bhoy
In the grounds of Edinburgh Castle
Bill Bailey!
On the course at St Andrews
At Scone Palace outside of Perth
Scone Palace
Clowning around in the maze
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