Edinburgh

 We have arrived in the land of tartan. After 2 days in a Georgian apartment, today we joined our Tour Group at the Voco Hotel in Haymarket. We have enjoyed 3 Fringe Festival events - The Music of Adele, The Billy Joel Story and A Highly Suspect Murder Mystery, which was a fun improv. Also had a very expensive fish and chip meal, rode on a tram and saw the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye terrier. He became well known because he spent 14 years guarding the grave of his owner. Tonight was the welcome dinner and we were taken to Tolbooth Tavern for dinner. The building dates back to 1591 and was the point of entry into the City Walls, upon payment of a toll. 

Next day - a tram ride to see Britannia at Ocean Terminal, then afternoon guided tour around Edinburgh and up to the Castle. The weather so far has been kind, if rather breezy. 

And then to the Tattoo - what a night. We were well rugged up with 3 layers so fought off the cold - just a few showers and loved every minute of the performance. A very late night, it was after midnight when we got back to the hotel.

Today we headed south to “the Borders” area to visit Jedburgh Abbey ruins and the remains of Melrose Abbey. Through the rolling hills covered in heather, it was pretty countryside. Also stopped at Leaderfoot to see the aqueduct bridge, now not in use for vehicles. See the fishermen in the River.

Tonight we attended dinner at Torphichen Inn, for a traditional Scottish Ceilidh evening, which included piping in and address of the haggis, Scottish dancing and songs. I did try the haggis but had some whisky to wash it down.