Balmoral and Edinburgh

We left Skye the next morning after enjoying more tatty scones.  The drive through the Cairngorms was beautiful.  This ruined castle on an island was intriguing and the surroundings so peaceful.

Our lunch break and walk to a beautiful mountain lake was lovely but a bit rushed because we had to get to Balmoral by a specific time.

Val didn't want to be late so she drove the actual speed limit - which from the back seat of our 9 seater van felt like we were on a race course.  I was grateful not to throw up and to get there safe and on time.

The Balmoral gardens and grounds were so green and extensive - I can see why the royals have loved this place for decades.

Enjoying a moment of good service to check in with the world while we took turns in the bathroom.  Then we wandered the woods surrounding the house.  

It was such a lovely place and a great end to our day.  We had a fabulous Thai dinner and arrived late to our hotel that night.  Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Mel because she was headed to Germany the next morning.  We slept in, enjoyed some yummy pastries with a view of Edinburgh Castle, then went on a wild goose chase to find Holly, arriving at the castle just in time for our tour.

We loved our castle tour - I had been there the summer before with my kids but this time it was so different. For one it wasn't windy and cold, in fact, we were quite hot at 74 degrees and sunny.  Two, the tour was so worth it.  I learned a ton.

For example this gate was only put in during Queen Victoria's reign because she didn't think the entrance to the castle looked "castley" enough.  

We and it would seem the rest of Edinburgh, were out enjoying the warm weather.

We stopped at Holly's favorite church, St. Giles Cathedral - gorgeous.

And her college -University of Edinburgh

inside the library...

Then down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace where Mary Queen of Scots stayed and where her adviser was stabbed 56ish times.

Emily loves the Frenemie story with Mary and Elizabeth so I had to send her lots of pics.

On our wandering we found a hot chocolate place with so many options and even though it was warm outside it tasted delicious.

We stopped at Greyfriers Kirk to rest our feel and see Tom Riddle's grave.

My feet had been bothering my all day and when we got back to my room I realized that they were covered in a red spotted rash.  They were pretty itchy and uncomfortable but oh well - what created the rash I'll never know.  I chatted with Andrew for his birthday and headed to bed, exhausted.