26.09.09 Around the Firth of Forth

Just wanted to show one of Edinburgh's most famous landmarks: the Forth Bridge. Over 2.5 km long and constructed in the late 19th century (pre-dating the Eiffel Tower), it is a marvel. We made a long trip all around the Forth estuary that day, more to follow soon.

21.09.09 Rosslyn Chapel

We decided to spend Autumn Holiday (a Scotish invention) at Rosslyn Chapel, famous amongst many for being one of the North's most intricate chapels and for the other less historically aware (like us) for being the mysterious hiding place of the Holy Grail in the final chapters of Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code".
We were vaguely disappointed that the chapel was hiding under a massive plastic roof and the ceilings were shielded from view by construction works, especially considering the entrance fee of £7.50, but nevertheless, it was spectecular, and the renovations are needed to preserve the chapel for the future.


On the bright side, we were allowed to climb the scaffolding and have an up close look of the roof and spires! The interior is covered by carvings with astonishing detail. Interestingly, there are carvings of corn cobs that predate the discovery of America, where corn was supposedly discoverd first. Cees-Jan was very excited to see that curly kale ('boerenkool') was already on the menu over five centuries ago!

20.09.09 Royal Botanical Gardens

Off to the Botanical Gardens today. Since we failed to go to the ones in Oxford in all those years we thought we avoid that embarrassment and get to it right away. We were not disappointed! The gardens are spectacular and to our surprise entrance was free!

In a secluded corner of the gardens we stumbled upon the memorial to Queen Elizabeth, who was "a much loved Scotish lady".We learn something every day.
Beautiful roses there, and fragrant too.








One of our favourite parts where the greenhouses, in particular the tropical ponds. The large round "floating platters" are in fact giant leaves of a giant lily.
We have loads more photos but we can't possibly put them all on. Come and see for yourselves!

19.09.09 Cramond and Cramond Island

As our badminton was in Cramond we decided to have a look at the place during the day. It's a cute little village at the northwest end of Edinburgh, with a small marina and it's own island. During low tide you can walk there but as you can see on the picture we arrived when the tide was high. We need to time that better next time!










The village is popular with families and dog walkers. You can go along the water front or up the little creek called 'Almond' which has a few small waterfall and nice rock exposures a little bit upstream. There's also a nice local pub where Cees-Jan got his first pint of beer in the UK for under two quid!







A nice Chinese fellow offered to take a picture of us.

Inhabition of Cramond goes far back as the remains of a Roman fort were found near the village church.

17.09.09 Badminton!

We went to badminton for the first time on Thursday night! We got lost a couple of times, but managed to find it in the end. The people were very nice and welcoming, and we immediately made good friends with Frank, at 78 the club's oldest member, as he proudly told us. He was very excited that Iwona was from Coventry, as he grew up nearby, but left for Edinburgh when he was 18 and never looked back...

15.09.09 Bruntsfield Links

One of the great things about where we live is that there is a free 36-hole pithc & put golf course just around the corner! It's part of the Meadows, a large park area south of the city centre, we live near the far west side. Ideal to pop over on a sunny afternoon and practice your short game!
With Arthur's Seat in the background the scenery ain't bad either. And after the game the Old Golf Tavern is located just behind the 36th hole! They have been serving beer to thirsty golfers since 1735 apparently.
Here you see Iwona attempting a put. She missed.

13.09.09 North Berwick

We visited North Berwick (pronounced Berreck) later on that day. A lovely little seaside resort, recently voted Scotland's most adorable village! Very yummie fish & chips. On the picture you see Bass Rock, the white cap is one of the largest gannet (Jan van Ghent) bird colonies! The island used to serve as a jail: it is almost as impossible to get on as to get off, as recently demonstrated in the BBC program Coast.

Apart from nice villages and sandy beaches this part of Lothian is famous for its golf courses. The one in North Berwick looked particularly nice but the price tag of 90 pounds put us off!
The dinghies reminded us of our sailing days. Good memories for some... bad for others (wink)
On the island in the back you can just make out the Fidra lighthouse, immortalised in Marillion's lyrics

'she nervously undressed in the dancing beams of the Fidra lighthouse' (from Warm Wet Circles)

13.09.09 Glenkinchie whiskey distillery

It was Open Doors Day, meaning free entrance to a whiskey distillery! Glenkinchie is the distillery closest to Edinburgh. We got to see the whole distillery, except the best bit where all the whiskey is kept!













At the end we got to sample the whiskeys, not just the Glenkinchie but many other different varieties from sweet to smokey and light till dark. Cees-Jan enjoyed himself and Iwona drove home!

06.06.09 Bruntsfield Links

Our day today was dominated by the Bruntsfield Links, the part of the Meadows nearest to us. It's a 36 hole par 3 golf course in the middle of town and it is free! All you need to do is bring a ball, pitching wedge and putter and off you go. As long as you can avoid the pedestrians strolling around it is good fun. Magnificient views of Arthur's Seat from here but failed to bring a camera.
In the evening we went back to watch the fireworks to celebrate the end of the Festival. The links were swamped with people this time, and some even had brought lawn chairs and sat in the middle of the greens. ouch!! The fireworks were orchestrated with music which was broadcasted live and people had brought radios so it was a great atmosphere and the display was magnificient. Next year we'll have to make it to the Princess Street Gardens though as the Castle blocked our view!

05.09.09 Walking in the Pentlands

We went walking in the Pentlands Hills today, they are only a 15-minute drive away! It was very windy, we had no map, didn't bring waterproofs nor water and food except for a few cookies so did everything wrong really, but still managed a good hike and were treated to great views over Edinburgh and beyond. Arthur's Seat still being our favourite.










It was quite windy as you can tell











You wouldn't really think it's the beginning of September but that's Scotland for you (as we've found out quickly)







To our surprise we even found out there is ski slope! The lack of snow was cunningly disguished by some sort of white velcro surface, but skiers went down fast there nonetheless.
It looked like fun and we'll definitively give it a try later in the year.