Date of this Trip: September 21-22, 2012
James and I heard over and over how lucky we were to have such nice weather in September and to make the most of it before winter. We decided to do as much as we could to explore Scotland before the cold weather came. After we traveled through the highlands and visited the lochs, we wanted to see some different scenery. We jumped in our car and drove south along the coast toward Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.
Edinburgh Castle
A few hours into our trip, we stopped in a small town called Gourdon to have a picnic on the beach.
We loved the pebble beach! I even made a snow angel (rock angel?) in the pebbles!
It's nice to have so much sun that you have to squint to take a picture!
When we were finished with our picnic, a film crew pulled into the parking. James asked what all of the fuss was about, and they explained the crew was setting up to film a British film titled "Seaside Stories."
Part of the movie set
There are always sheep around.
We stopped at Broughty castle in Dundee.
Capturing the view of the castle entry
The sky here is always magnificent!
We made our way to Saint Andrews.
First things first-golf. Golf as we know it originated in 15th century Scotland. The Old Course is considered the home of golf, where golf was first played about 600 years ago.
Because of golf's status in Scotland, we had to play a round in Saint Andrews if only to make our dads proud.
About to get a hole in one
So we actually played a round of put-put on the "Himalayas" putting green. It was a blast!
Saint Andrews castle on the North Sea
The ruins of Saint Andrews Cathedral
The quaint town of Saint Andrews is a lovely backdrop.
We had to stop at the place where Kate met Wills...for coffee.
We took a nice walk around Scotland's first university, University of Saint Andrews.
It is a gorgeous campus!
Looking for a place to "wild camp" for the night, we continued along the coast. In Scotland, you can camp pretty much anywhere as long as you don't disrupt the property.
Beside these castle ruins was the perfect spot to pitch our tent!
This was definitely the best camping view I have ever had!
Home away from home
We woke up before sunrise the next morning to an ice cold tent. This was the only negative we faced with our first wild camping experience. We packed up and continued toward Edinburgh.
Ravenscraig Castle in Kirkcaldy
Edinburgh bridge
Welcome to Edinburgh!
This monument was built for the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott.
One of the many bagpipers playing throughout the city
For those of you who do not yet know: The Scottish Government intends to hold an independence referendum in 2014. Scots will be voting on their independence from the United Kingdom! Since living in Scotland, we have learned that many Scots genuinely dislike the English and the British Parliament.
Read more here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21039886
When we walked into the city center of Edinburgh, we witnessed a march for Scottish independence.
"As long as only one hundred of us remain alive
we will never on any condition be brought under English rule."
After observing the march and getting opinions from several Scots and Englishmen about the proposal for Scottish independence, we headed to the famous Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh Castle
Lovely views of the city from the castle
These hills form most of Holyrood Park. People like to hill walk to Arthur's Seat, the main peak of the hills.
The ultra-modern Scottish Parliament building that matches nothing else in the city
We happened to be in Edinburgh on the one day a year that people are allowed access into the parliament meeting rooms!
If you have the time, we definitely recommend taking the coastal route to Edinburgh!
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