weekend in scotland

Snoopy had the weekend off and wanted to see Edinburgh after I was so excited about it. We covered most of the same tracks I had covered before in the previous days, but we did finally climb Calton Hill where we had the most amazing and commanding views of Edinburgh.

In this picture, you can see St. Giles Cathedral (the one on the left with the crown shaped tip), the Hub (an old church to the right of St. Giles Cathedral with a tall spire), the infamous castle rock and Edinburgh Castle (in the center, in the distance), and the tall building in the distance to the left of the monument, which is actually just the Balmoral Hotel, but it still looks neat. 

Snoopy has more and better pictures from this hill top, this is just the one I took while he was eating his breakfast.

Snoopy finally got to tour the castle and amble down the royal mile. We almost started the hike to the top of the extinct volcano (not pictured above) to see another view of the city but we were running out of time. We capped off the Saturday evening with a night walking tour of the city that included ghost stories and ended in the cemetery I had snapped pictures of the day before.

Since Snoopy had the time, we were able to secure tickets to see a soccer match. The best part was that it wasn’t just an ordinary match, it was the Edinburgh derby - Heart of Midlothian (AKA, the “Hearts”) VS The Ancient Order of Hibernia (AKA, the “Hibs”). The crowd was rowdy as they chanted and cheered their teams. The Hearts won in dramatic form - a goal scored in extra time.

edinburgh, scotland, uk - part 2

Snoopy insisted that since I didn’t get a chance to go to the zoo that I should go again and see the zoo. I was hesitant, but realized I wanted to go again!

Again, I hopped on a 2 and a half hour train ride. Although this time, Snoopy was insistent that I e-mail him in the middle of the day to at least tell him where I was and what I was doing. This was difficult since the loss of my phone, as I had to find an internet cafe. RIP phone. I already miss you.

Anywho, I managed to get to the zoo, get to an internet cafe, then make it down to Holyrood Palace - the Queen’s choice of residence when she visits Scotland. They didn’t allow photos inside, but the outside is neat enough!

I made a beeline for the Pandas as soon as I got here. They heavily monitor the number of people and the time people are in to see them. I got a good 20 minutes in, but it wasn’t easy with all of the people. The pandas have brought in people from all over just to see them! 

The penguins were funny - as usual! 

sleepy Koala bear! 

just for mom :) Sumatran Tiger

excellent pose from the Leopard - thank you Leopard! 

Momma Wallaby with a joey hanging out of the pouch

I wish they didn’t have the fence, but here he is! 

Holyrood Palace - the Queen’s residence of choice when she comes to Scotland

It looks like we are going back tomorrow - yay! 

edinburgh, scotland, uk

This day started out with a 2 and a half train ride from our little village to Edinburgh. While on the train, I saw spectacular views of the harbors, the oceanside, fields littered with grazing sheep, many other small villages and two major bridges. The view that welcomed me to Edinburgh was from the train coming out from a tunnel to a breathtaking view of the castle that seems to grow straight out of the rock.

Across the street from Waverley train station. This is the monument that greeted me. 

Balmore Hotel - just outside of the station

Memorial to Walter Scott

I climbed up to the top of the Walter Scott memorial, this was one of the pictures I snapped

Entry to Edinburgh Castle

View from the  north castle wall

view from north castle wall

Inside the castle, it is more like a small village

cannon with view from the half moon battery

looking down Royal Mile

St. Giles Cathedral

entry to St. Giles Cathedral

another look down Royal Mile

Cannongate Church

cemetery at Cannongate Church

I was sad to leave Edinburgh, but little did I know, I was going back again another day.

On the ride home as we crossed the first harbor, I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets I had ever seen over the water. I made it home and missed Edinburgh already.

dyce, scotland, uk

I arrived. I am safe and sound - although missing my iPhone. May you rest in peace, wherever you are.

Back to the good stuff.

Snoopy is staying in a little town called Dyce which is about 7 miles outside of Aberdeen. Snoopy really wanted a chance to show me the city, so he asked if I could stand it, to stick around Dyce. Unfortunately, this left leisurely strolls through parks and sitting on rocks with a book for many hours. I did learn that the people here are incredibly friendly! They also love their pups so I have befriend many furry little friends. They also have a Wal-Mart type store where I sat and enjoyed a latte and a granola bar after the flight. It is like Austin with its rocky hills, but with seagulls like Galveston, with humidity levels like San Antonio and piney woods forests like Sam Houston State Park - all wrapped up in a cold bundle.

Church of Dyce - not sure how old it is, but there is a document that says it was restored in the 1860’s

Just outside the Church of Dyce is a beautiful garden accented with weathered white benches

Everywhere you go, wild daffodils are blooming! They are all down the roads and sidewalks, and also in people’s home gardens! 

Distant view of Riverview Park overlooking the River Dee

River Dee at Riverview Park

The water was rolling over rocks making a soothing crashing sound

Up the stream were ducks, birds, and dogs chasing balls into the water. I asked the owners if the pups got cold, but they said they enjoyed it! 

Crashing water over rocks

One of the furry friends I met along the river

Lady and her pup walking along the river path

Stay tuned, tomorrow brings new adventures!