Edinburgh with Friends, Is There Any Better Way?

We met up with Tom here at the Scott Monument,
which is just outside of the train station. It's in honor
of Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish novelist, playwright, and poet.
He's also the one who found the crown jewels!

They say the grass is always greener on the other side,
but I don't think so...

Ollie checking out the to-scale model of Edinburgh. He's perched over the
Castle Rock, where Edinburgh Castle is built. To the far left is Arthur's Seat.

Tom shows Merrit where we'll be going today. What a treat to have our own
personal (local!) tour guide. And a friend from home. :)

At some point in the city's history, they filled in the loch that used to be
here. Now it's one big public garden.

Outside the National Galleries of Scotland.
We didn't go in. Next time...

Edinburgh has some beautiful buildings!

After we left the castle, we walked back down the
Royal Mile. Tom had a pub in mind. The boys
found these fun-house mirrors on the side of a building.

Ollie danced in front of the mirrors to the music
on the street.

Wacky family portrait. Merrit said, "Dad,
you're so short!"

We passed lots of street performers, but this
guy really captured Merrit's attention. He
wanted to go give him money, but he was
really uneasy about standing next to him
(or her?) for a photo. You can see it in his
body language!

Just outside St. Giles Cathedral.
Is he on lunch break? Would you wear this
to work? He's got a briefcase. I dunno...

We went into St. Giles Cathedral, which was stunning.
Not to mention, there was an organ concert being held,
which was free to the public. We wandered through,
admiring the music (Merrit couldn't believe it
when I told him that there was no electricity, speakers,
or amplifiers making the music that loud), and so many
artistic and skilled works. Merrit and I tried to name all the
different craftsmen/skills we saw: Carved wood,
detailed metal work, paintings, mosaics, carved stone,
carved marble, embroidery, calligraphy, woven fabrics,
even fresh flower arrangements. We weren't allowed
to take any photos in the cathedral.

The sound of bagpipes are everywhere on the streets. It's really powerful.

Thought it was cool how the patina was all rubbed off of this statue's toe...
the only part of him you could reach up and touch. Must be a good luck charm
for locals?

The best part about having a tour guide is restaurant recommendations!
Tom's wife, Catherine, met us for lunch and we went to a place called
The Mitre. Delicious!

Ah, a moment of peace and quiet while Ollie rests and
Merrit zones out.

We're in a pub...IN SCOTLAND!

Catherine and Tom.

We ordered the haggis with nips and tatties starter.
Contrary to popular belief, haggis doesn't always come in a casing. Nips are
turnips and tatties are potatoes. The gravy was delicious. We passed it
around and everyone had a bite or two.

Haggis! Mike was nervous about the first bite but ended up polishing it off.

Mike and I shared a steak and ale pie for our main.

Even now the Scottish are still rebellious and proud. 

This guy was entertaining a very large crowd. He expected tips and even
chased somebody down to get one!

Look...it's a clock. Made out of flowers.

See a close-up of the inscription below.

Our boys love to roll down grassy hills whenever they get a chance!

Ice cream with flake.

Emmie playing at a little park that Tom and Catherine took us to.

This park was AMAZING because it was in the shadow
of Castle Rock. What a view from below!

Ollie on the slide. Castle in the distance.
Wow.

Some passersby offered to take our picture. We're getting ready to head
back to the train, and then, back to Newcastle.