Okay, we have definitely slacked off on the blog, so we figured we should at least get Scotland done before we leave England.
Scotland started off with every golfer’s dream. . . St. Andrews. St. Andrews has 7 courses, a little tidbit we learned is that originally golf was made up of 22 holes - they would play 11 holes and then go back and play them again. The decision was made to change that to 9 holes out and 9 holes back in at St Andrews and all others followed suit.
Scotland started off with every golfer’s dream. . . St. Andrews. St. Andrews has 7 courses, a little tidbit we learned is that originally golf was made up of 22 holes - they would play 11 holes and then go back and play them again. The decision was made to change that to 9 holes out and 9 holes back in at St Andrews and all others followed suit.
Here is Jay teeing off on the Strathyrum course.
The course:
The course wasn’t all that impressive – Jay said he’s played nicer courses in the States, but to play at the birthplace of golf was worth the experience.
While Jay was golfing mom, Bonnie and I explored the town of St. Andrews and the coastal area surrounding St. Andrews. St. Andrews is a cool little town; the university is made up of beautiful stone building with pretty lawns and gardens. There are also the ruins of a huge cathedral in the city. Jay had our camera, so you will have to catch a glimpse of mom and Bonnie’s pictures to see the city.
After golf and exploring we stopped at the St. Andrews Clubhouse for some lunch.
Outside the clubhouse is a putting green, people just stroll up with their putters and start putting. It seemed to be a popular activity throughout Scotland. We stopped at seaside towns and found putting greens with 18 holes everywhere. I guess it makes golf accessible to all, kind of a philosophy of Scotland.
Next, we headed back along the coast to the Seaton Cliffs. Now, after the cliffs we have seen in Ireland , Wales and England I have to say these weren’t as impressive.
While Jay was golfing mom, Bonnie and I explored the town of St. Andrews and the coastal area surrounding St. Andrews. St. Andrews is a cool little town; the university is made up of beautiful stone building with pretty lawns and gardens. There are also the ruins of a huge cathedral in the city. Jay had our camera, so you will have to catch a glimpse of mom and Bonnie’s pictures to see the city.
After golf and exploring we stopped at the St. Andrews Clubhouse for some lunch.
Outside the clubhouse is a putting green, people just stroll up with their putters and start putting. It seemed to be a popular activity throughout Scotland. We stopped at seaside towns and found putting greens with 18 holes everywhere. I guess it makes golf accessible to all, kind of a philosophy of Scotland.
Next, we headed back along the coast to the Seaton Cliffs. Now, after the cliffs we have seen in Ireland , Wales and England I have to say these weren’t as impressive.
Of course Jay had to go exploring..
Check out the Japanese Tourist:
Day 2 we headed to Stirling Castle….just a little history.
During a long and bloody history Stirling Castle has been attacked or besieged at least 16 times. Three battles have been fought in its immediate vicinity, two of which were turning points in Scottish history: and a fourth equally important battle took place just a few miles to the north.
A number of Scottish Kings and Queens have been baptized, or crowned, or died within or near Stirling Castle. At least one King was murdered nearby: while another committed murder within its walls.
The Great Hall:
Bonnie and I walking along the wall:
Next onto one of Jay’s other favorite things . . . Scotch. (Apparently mom likes Scotch too, well expensive Scotch and Whiskey that is.)
We stopped at Edradour, the smallest distillery in Scotland:
We took a tour of the distillery and learned how they make their Scotch.
Here is a picture of some of the equipment:
Apparently their single-malt Scotch was really smooth according to mom and Jay. Bonnie and I of course did not taste the smoothness.
Next, off to Blair Athol, one of 32 (or so) whisky blends used in Bell’s Whisky. They offered a single-malt of their brew for tasting:
The tour was pretty good, but no pictures were allowed. The whisky was not that great, so we now understand why it’s blended with 32 others…
We did learn that there is a union of barrel makers in the US that years ago made a law that whiskey barrels could only be used once. So the US sells their barrels to other distilleries to use. I forget the name she used for the union, but we looked it up and couldn’t find the name, so the union theory may not be true. It is true they only use the barrels once, but I don’t know if it’s because of a union.
Next we headed down the road and came upon the Beatrix Potter Garden; the museum was already closed, so we just wandered around the gardens.
Check out the Japanese Tourist:
Day 2 we headed to Stirling Castle….just a little history.
During a long and bloody history Stirling Castle has been attacked or besieged at least 16 times. Three battles have been fought in its immediate vicinity, two of which were turning points in Scottish history: and a fourth equally important battle took place just a few miles to the north.
A number of Scottish Kings and Queens have been baptized, or crowned, or died within or near Stirling Castle. At least one King was murdered nearby: while another committed murder within its walls.
The Great Hall:
Bonnie and I walking along the wall:
Next onto one of Jay’s other favorite things . . . Scotch. (Apparently mom likes Scotch too, well expensive Scotch and Whiskey that is.)
We stopped at Edradour, the smallest distillery in Scotland:
We took a tour of the distillery and learned how they make their Scotch.
Here is a picture of some of the equipment:
Apparently their single-malt Scotch was really smooth according to mom and Jay. Bonnie and I of course did not taste the smoothness.
Next, off to Blair Athol, one of 32 (or so) whisky blends used in Bell’s Whisky. They offered a single-malt of their brew for tasting:
The tour was pretty good, but no pictures were allowed. The whisky was not that great, so we now understand why it’s blended with 32 others…
We did learn that there is a union of barrel makers in the US that years ago made a law that whiskey barrels could only be used once. So the US sells their barrels to other distilleries to use. I forget the name she used for the union, but we looked it up and couldn’t find the name, so the union theory may not be true. It is true they only use the barrels once, but I don’t know if it’s because of a union.
Next we headed down the road and came upon the Beatrix Potter Garden; the museum was already closed, so we just wandered around the gardens.
Day 3 we were off to Edinburgh for a tour of the city. We did the hop-on hop-off bus and took full advantage of the tours.
Scottish Parliament, so strange looking if you ask me.
Here are some random pictures around the city:
A little croquet park:
Edinburgh Castle:
Scottish Parliament, so strange looking if you ask me.
Here are some random pictures around the city:
A little croquet park:
Edinburgh Castle:
View of the city from the castle:
A pimp cab in Edinburgh:
The Palace in Edinburgh:
Now I have to say that I didn’t expect normal people to wear kilts in Scotland, I thought it was a “special occasion” thing. I was wrong, people seem to wear them everyday. We met up with a friend of mine who lives in Scotland who told me that you see people in Glasgow wearing kilts and Grateful Dead t-shirts. I wish I had seen that, but no such luck.
We found a great restaurant in downtown attached to Famous Grouse Bar. A really great spot to relax in their leather chairs and reminisce about our travels so far..
Mom and Bonnie at the Famous Grouse Bar:
A pimp cab in Edinburgh:
The Palace in Edinburgh:
Now I have to say that I didn’t expect normal people to wear kilts in Scotland, I thought it was a “special occasion” thing. I was wrong, people seem to wear them everyday. We met up with a friend of mine who lives in Scotland who told me that you see people in Glasgow wearing kilts and Grateful Dead t-shirts. I wish I had seen that, but no such luck.
After a long day in Edinburgh we headed back to Perth.
We found a great restaurant in downtown attached to Famous Grouse Bar. A really great spot to relax in their leather chairs and reminisce about our travels so far..
Mom and Bonnie at the Famous Grouse Bar:
Day 4, our last day we headed back along the coast.
Gardens in Direlton:
It was an eventful night with a 3am fire alarm in our hotel thanks to someone smoking in their non-smoking room. (Second one of the night, the first one was around 11pm). One thing we all learned is that it never really gets dark in Scotland during this time of year. The sun starts to go down around 10pm, but as we discovered, at 3am it still isn’t that dark outside.
By Day 4 it was actually warming up for Scotland, here is Bonnie enjoying the warmth and sun:
Gardens in Direlton:
It was an eventful night with a 3am fire alarm in our hotel thanks to someone smoking in their non-smoking room. (Second one of the night, the first one was around 11pm). One thing we all learned is that it never really gets dark in Scotland during this time of year. The sun starts to go down around 10pm, but as we discovered, at 3am it still isn’t that dark outside.
By Day 4 it was actually warming up for Scotland, here is Bonnie enjoying the warmth and sun:
Scotty Dog on the beach:
Shell searching???
We finally got a picture of all of us, apparently mom and Bonnie think I am really short:
The girls:
Another castle on the coast, we had to trespass to get this picture:
We headed back to England and went on a short trip to Cambridge.
One of the most popular things to do in Cambridge is punt along the river Cam. We ended up having beautiful weather and beat the crowds for a relaxing trip. Here’s Bonnie and mom punting down the Cam:
Some views of the college backs:
Bonnie and mom were relieved when we got there and Jay took over the driving. We really enjoyed having Bonnie and mom along to enjoy Scotland with. The country was beautiful, the city and castles were amazing and the company was great. I am sure those two will have comments to add to this blog. Hint, hint.
I don’t know if we will get our weekend in Poland posted before we head to Amsterdam this weekend since we head back to Atlanta on Monday. But keep checking, we’ll get it posted sooner than later.
Shell searching???
We finally got a picture of all of us, apparently mom and Bonnie think I am really short:
The girls:
Another castle on the coast, we had to trespass to get this picture:
We headed back to England and went on a short trip to Cambridge.
One of the most popular things to do in Cambridge is punt along the river Cam. We ended up having beautiful weather and beat the crowds for a relaxing trip. Here’s Bonnie and mom punting down the Cam:
Some views of the college backs:
Bonnie and mom were relieved when we got there and Jay took over the driving. We really enjoyed having Bonnie and mom along to enjoy Scotland with. The country was beautiful, the city and castles were amazing and the company was great. I am sure those two will have comments to add to this blog. Hint, hint.
I don’t know if we will get our weekend in Poland posted before we head to Amsterdam this weekend since we head back to Atlanta on Monday. But keep checking, we’ll get it posted sooner than later.
