Scotland - The Land of Our Ancestors

 A few years ago Jeff did DNA testing and discovered he is 61% Scottish - so we began planning a trip to Scotland. Since Lindsey lives in England now it only made sense to visit her and take in Scotland while there.  She is a 5 hour train ride from Scotland and train travel is wonderful here in the UK so we headed to Scotland this morning on the train.

From the train at 120 miles an hour - the North Sea

Train flying by

Pretty comfy seating 

More pictures from the train

Lunch delivered to your seat on the train

Sheep everywhere 

We arrived in Edinburgh and immediately fell in love with the buildings, history, and beautiful land!  There are also lots of scenes from “Outlander”, which we love, so we will visit lots of sites from the movie while here.

Our hotel lobby right at The Royal Mile

Jamie Frazier’s print shop is off Bakehouse Close so we found it!

Jamie’s print shop

We did an afternoon tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse which is the Queen’s official residence in Scotland.  The Abbey was built in 1128 and the palace in 1503.  Mary Queen of Scots lived here and Bonnie Prince Charlie.  It is the home of Scottish Royal history.  Queen Victoria and Prince Albert spent lots of time here.

These pictures have no order whatsoever but that’s what you get when using a phone.  This is in the gardens.

Grand staircase 

The old Abbey ruins

Queen Victoria’s tartan dress

Abbey ruins

Gardens 

Abbey ruins

Beautiful grounds

The Throne Room

Mary Queen of Scots bedroom 

Abbey ruins

Dining Room

Parlor 

Most ornate ceiling in the palace 

The King’s bedchamber 

We finished the day with a lovely dinner at a pub right around the corner from our hotel - The Mitre.

Stovies - a beef stew dish with veggies and gravy

Cranachan - cream with berries and whiskey - the uncontested king of Scottish desserts!

Steak and Nickolson’s Pale Ale Pie

Balmoral Chicken