Scotland the Brave!

After spending the day with Jonny's family in Perth we headed into Edinburgh, Jonny's home for his 4 years during University, to show my dad the sights. Edinburgh is a beautiful city, one where I could definitely live. We were going to be staying with our friends Nick and Jen Ball and their son Charlie. Jen and Jonny went to University together and Jonny had the great honor of giving Jen away at her wedding 5 years ago.

We started our tour of Edinburgh by taking the open top bus tour, which is usually really good. Fortunately and unfortunately the Edinburgh Festival parade was going on at the same time, so we missed some really great sights.



Gemma, Me, and Angus (eating the seat) on the open top bus.

It was exciting to be in Edinburgh during the festival as there were many theatre productions going on and many street actors trying to entice us into attending their performance.



Fringe actors



A very dead looking Fringe actor.

On our second day in Edinburgh we took my dad to Edinburgh Castle. I have been to the Castle at least 3 times and every time it is more enjoyable of a visit. Here are a few photos of the Castle.



The entrancece of the Castle.



Jonny, Gemma, Angus and me inside the Castle.



Gemma sitting on something she isn't suppose to in the Castle.



Gemma sitting on a cannon in the Castle.



A view from the Castle down to Princes Street.



Here are where they keep the Crown Jewels of Scotland.



My dad with the kiddos.



This is the best toursty shot in Edinburgh. Isn't the Castle beautiful from this angle!

After our tour of the Castle we headed back to the Balls house for dinner and prepared for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Tattoo is performed just outside of Edinburgh Castle every year during the month of August and during the Edinburgh Festival. This years Tatto consisted of performances of massed pipe and drum bands, motorcycle team, massed highland dancers, Royal Marine display, Steel Drum band from Trinadad and Tabago, Russian Cossack State Dance Company, etc. The night was amazing! I was very surprised by the multi-cultural aspect of the Tattoo. I expected it to be just pipe bands performances. There were motorcycle performances, the Royal Marines showing their military prowess in a skit , Russian dancing and singing, highland dancers and in true Scottish fashion the pipe bands played a Rod Stewart tune and of course Robert Burn's Auld Lang Syne. Here are a few pictures from the evening:








Trinidad and Tobago defensece Force Steel Orchestra

The remainder of our time in Edinburgh we spent walking around Edinburgh checking out the beautiful architecture, the Fringe Festival, the gardens, and people watching.



While walking in the gardens we met this very large Irish Wolfhound.



There were a ton of piper standing around the streets in full Scottish attire playing the bagpipes for photo opportunities. Here is my dad with on of the street pipers.



Jonny, my Dad, and Gemma went for a tour of Holyrood Castle. Holyrood is the Queen's residence when she is in Edinburgh. Here is a view from outside of the castle. Not a bad view for being in the center of the city!



In the gardens we saw this very creative clock made out flowers and plants. It actually is a running clock!



While walking down the Royal Mile we ran into this gallery. It has the name of Gemma's little boyfriend Carson Clark!

We had a fabulous time in Edinburgh! We look forward to our next trip! The Balls took good care of us and Gemma really enjoyed seeing Charlie again.



Charlie and Gemma



Jen, Nick and Charlie