When my Scottish friends, Dorothy and Ricky, invited me to visit them in Edinburgh on my way back from Laos and Thailand, I jumped at the chance. I am, after all, part Scottish. My mother was a MacDonald, a lineage that harkens back to the days of the famed MacDonald-Campbell feud. The clash between these two ancient Celtic houses lasted for hundreds of years and still evokes strong sentiments in the Scottish Highlands. According to the website Heart ‘o Scotland:
“Clan Donald traces its roots to the great 12th century Gaelic-Norse warrior king, Somerled. His name meant “summer wanderer” and was the name given to the Vikings, who at that time controlled much of the western Isles.”
That explains a lot. It seems I owe my vagabond nature to old king Somrled. Praise be to my Celtic genes.
My whirlwind tour of Scotland began with tickets to the cultural extravaganza, “Taste of Scotland,” an evening of Scottish music, costume, bagpipes, fiddles, dance and food in the historic Prestonfield House. Earlier in the day Dorothy had perused the contents of my backpack and shook her head. My raggedy khakis simply would not do for the gala evening. She dragged me into her closet and dolled me up from head to toe, right down to purse and shoes.
Me in a skirt, posing next to a Scottish bagpiper at the entrance to "Taste of Scotland"
For the next week I was treated to the sights of Scotland, beginning with Edinburgh. We walked the Royal Mile, visiting exquisite stone structures like St. Giles Church and Greyfriars. On a narrow side street Dorothy ran into Norrie Rowan, who graciously offered to give us a personal tour of The Caves, a bar carved from the rubble of underground caverns that once formed the sub-structure of the 18th Century South Bridge in Old Town Edinburgh. Lost for more than 100 years, the hidden vaults were rediscovered by Rowan and his son, who have been painstakingly restoring them. We groped our way through dark, narrow passageways with sloping stone floors, emerging into one cavern after another, each lit in dazzling jewel-tone neon lights. Every vault had a story to tell, from those that served as stables for the French Cavalry who were body guards to the Royal family to a recently discovered and as yet unrestored ancient well.
A restored cavern at The Caves, a bar carved out of the ancient vaults and passageways discovered beneath the Old City in Edinburgh, Scotland
Back outside, the dull light of overcast skies seemed a more fitting complement to the monolithic stone architecture that dominates Old Town, not the least of which was Edinburgh Castle, a colossal stone fort that hulks above the city on a high bluff. As luck would have it, we arrived just in time to witness a special changing of the guard ceremony in honor of the 90th birthday of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II.
Can’t view the above YouTube video of the changing of the guard at Edinburgh Castle? Click here.
Over the next couple of days I was treated to sights around Edinburgh that tourists rarely see. The lovely Almond River, just steps from my friends’ house, led to a serene waterfall, harbor, and causeway leading to Crammond Island in the Firth of Forth. Further upstream we watched the sun set one evening over the Firth of Forth bridge, famous with engineers the world over for its unique design. One afternoon was spent wandering through gardens at Lauriston House, which looked more like a castle to me, while some days I was content just to accompany Dorothy to one of the many Yoga classes she teaches.
Can’t view the above slide show of Edinburgh, Scotland? Click here.
As the weekend approached, I was in for another surprise. Ricky and Dorothy treated me to a tour of the romantic Scottish midlands, with its misty moors and drenched-green landscape. My tongue tripped over town names like Pitlochry and swooned over an ambrosial scone with raspberry jam and heavy cream in the enchanting village of Luss, located on the shores of famed Loch Lommond. In Killin, we rested on sun-warmed rock slabs that pocked the Falls of Dochart, warding off the mid-June chill.
Can’t view the above slide show of the midlands in Scotland? Click here.
Nothing compares with having a personal tour from locals who know all the secret spots! But the best was yet to come. Stay tuned for part two of my Scottish adventure.
United Kingdom 
France 
Morocco 
Czech Republic 
Slovenia 
Croatia 
Hungary 
Romania 
Wonderful!! Can’t wait for part two!!
Kay, you are going to LOVE part two! For others of you reading this, Kay is my aunt and it was her son’s wedding I came back to the States to attend. He’s a MacDonald – and that’s all the hints I’m gonna give out for now. You’re going to have to come back on Monday to read part two.
Can’t wait either! Your pictures brought back some very happy memories for me, and I didn’t know about the vaults so you’ve also given me something to look forward to … hoping to get to Scotland next year. Hmm. did you go round a distillery I wonder??
No distilleries for me, Linda – bad for my sobriety!
So used to seeing you photographed around Southeast Asia, it’s quite strange to see you in grey Edinburgh.
Glad you enjoyed it. Love the slideshows.
Julia
Thanks Julia! I do spend lots of time in Asia, but I also get to other places. Last year I was in Mexico for 4 months and I just returned from England. Plus, this fall I’ll be spending a few months in South America, so you’ll be reading about me in some other places
Edinburgh was the first foreign city I ever visited and hence started a great travel journey for me. It will always have a special warm place in my heart. I remember with my idea of Australian history being blown away by the rich and long history of the imposing Edinburgh Castle and the grand Royal Mile.