Callander April 10th

Woke up this morning and had another great breakfast at the b&b. Then we checked out and went to a laundromat so mom and dad could do some laundry seeing as how they are half way done their trip :( 

Left sterling after that and headed towards Callander. We stopped in a town called Deanston to check out a whiskey distillery, and got to take a tour through it aswell. 

Then we took the back roads to Callander and saw so much beautiful countryside. Fields and fields of sheep and lots of rock walls. We came across an old house with a massive gate in front and Lori almost escaped from the car to go live there. 

We made it to Callander finally, a nice small town right on the edge of the highlands. Beautiful old Scottish town. We checked into our b&b just for the one night and then we headed down the street to find a pub to have a drink and relax in. After that we went across the road to a restaurant to have supper and a drink or 2. 

After supper we headed back to the b&b to plan a little more for the end of our Scotland trip, and the beginning of our Ireland trip. After that we just relaxed in the room, and we bought cards in London so we played cards for a few hours in the room too. 

Stirling April 9th

Woke up earlier this morning to do the b&b breakfast, absolutely amazing breakfast cooked by the couple that lives there and runs the b&b! We had eggs bacon and white pudding A-MA-ZING!!! 

After that we went to the Stirling castle and saw several different things there. We were in there for about 4 hours then we left and while leaving we came across a very nice pub with a court yard so of course we stopped for drinks and just a very light lunch because we were still full from breakfast. 

After that we went to the argyll lodging building. And then went to see the Bannockburn and the monument to Robert the Bruce. At this monument there was also a place to try on the armoury and of course we had a fun time with that. (Pictures below). 

When we were at the monument it was very sunny so we sat down to relax and Lori fell asleep in the sun like a cat. 

After that back to the b&b to relax for a bit then we called a cab and went down town to a pub for supper. We had planned on going to a few pubs after supper but it was a nice pub and we were by a fire place so we just stayed there, had a few more drinks and then went back to the b&b. 

FYI more than 700 times a day do I hear Lori saying "oh my god that's beautiful". I'm positive that if she ever dissepears from home one day she has run off to Scotland because she's obsessed with it.

She also touches EVERYTHING! And I mean everything! She has to try to open every door when we are in castles and not the normal ones, I mean the ones that say "private" or "no entry" because she thinks she is going to find a secret passage way to something. She also keeps talking about how when she finds something really cool she is going to steal it... Ya go Lori 

Stirling April 8th

Woke up in Edinburgh and then went to rent a car. After renting our little car and I mean little! We were on the opposite side of the road headed from Edinburgh to sterling. Mom sat in the back and I sat in the front giving dad directions because if mom had done it they would have for sure been divorced by the time we were out of the car rental parking lot. 

We stopped in falkirk to see the falkirk wheel. It opened in 2000 for the new millennium celebration. It's a lot more of a touristy attraction now compared to when mom and dad were here 13 years ago. Lots more for families and people to do, etc. 

After falkirk went on to Stirling, we were driving around a lot of residential areas when we came across several b&b's. So we stopped at one and checked in for a few nights. 

 

Our b&b is super close to the William Wallace monument! You can see it from our window and we are less than a 5 minute drive from it aswell so after we checked in we went up to see it. Very very cool! We walked the 242 steps to see the view from the top aswell.  Absolutely stunning view! The steps were very narrow and small. When people are passing you coming down you have to stop and basically hug the wall to let them by. It was for sure my favourite thing I have seen in Scotland so far! 

After that we went to a pub of course. Lori was parched. Then we went out for supper and after that we went to a convienence store so Lori and robin could buy alcohol there. We then headed back to the b&b a little earlier than normal but only because we had stuff to drink there. And we sat in the living room planning a little more of our days out. 

Edinburgh April 7th

This morning woke up and I had the best shower in more than 2 months. There was actually hot water and the pressure was there the entire time. We left the B&B and went out for breakfast. Tried a haggis and cheese omelette ~ AMAZING! So good and I wish we had that back in Canada! 

After breakfast we headed up to Edinburgh castle on foot. Wasn't too terribly far and we wanted to walk through the city and see all the old buildings, places, etc. Along the way I handed out several resumes because there is about 5 pubs on every block. 

We were close to the castle when we passed St giles cathedral so we went in to look around and it was a beautiful old Scottish church. I posted pictures so you can see what we saw because it was an absolutely stunning church! 

Made it to the castle and we were there for about 4 hours. A lot to see there! We got to look out from the top aswell and see Edinburgh from up high, and when looking out you can again see the coast. Beautiful beautiful city! 

On our way out of the castle we met a young guy from Regina, he noticed dad's rider hat and we got to talking about our trip and his. 

Went to more pubs handing out resumes and of course at every other pub I handed a resume to mom and dad stopped for a drink. But there on holidays so I guess they're allowed. We met a newlywed couple from Vancouver in the one pub and again they recognized the rider hat. We sat and drank beside them to visit for awhile then carried on. 

After a few more places of handing my resume out to we stopped for supper and I had one of the best suppers of my life! It was at the white hart inn. A Scottish pub that is the oldest pub in Edinburgh, it's 499 years old! Can you imagine the party they're having next year? For supper I had a chicken stuffed with haggis covered in a whiskey sauce with potatoes and peas. 

More pubs after supper so I can hand out resumes and Lori and robin can get there drink on of course. 

Caught a taxi back to the b&b and then got ready to leave in the morning for Sterling! 

Edinburgh Scotland April 6th

This morning we caught the train going out to Edinburgh. It was about 4 and a half hours. Very smooth train ride and we were going 200km/hr. It was such a good experience driving by all the old English and Scottish small towns, also driving by the coast was absolutely beautiful 

When we arrived in Edinburgh we got a taxi to the bed and breakfast, after checking in we went to a pub called crags right across the street for drinks. 

Went for supper just up the street and our suppers were amazing! We met a couple from okatokes Alberta at the restaurant and talked about our travels. 

After supper we walked up a few streets just looking at the town, and then we came across an old cemetery with such cool grave stones and tomb stones they all dated back to the early 1800's 

Then came across another pub called Salisbury arms and went there for drinks. Very nice old pub, I dropped off a resume and me and the bartender really hit it off so fingers crossed! 

After that we walked back to the bed and breakfast to sleep and get ready for the next day in Edinburgh. It doesn't even come close to words how beautiful this city is! Such an old Scottish city filled with so much to see, and the sights are absolutely breathtaking! 

*The photos that are added were pictures from the train up from London through the small towns and the coast pictures.