We’ve recently returned from a 14-Day Celtic Circle cruise around the British Isles on Holland America Line’s ms Prinsendam. While onboard the 835-passenger”˜elegant explorer’, we visited 10 ports in Scotland, Ireland and England. This post is part of a series detailing our discoveries both in port and on the ship.
The port of Rosyth, Scotland provided a free bus shuttle to the Inverkeithing train station. From here we bought a round trip train ticket to Edinburgh Waverly station. The cost was 5€; the trip took about 30 minutes.
Waverly train station is right in the heart of Edinburgh, with the Royal Mile and the Edinburgh Castle nearby up hill.
Setting Up for the Royal Military Tattoo in front of Edinburgh Castle
At the height of tourist season and the preparations for Tattoo underway – it runs August 5-27, 2011 We found this area overfilled with tourist shops and crowds, and since we’d visited the castle before, we headed to the streets below the Royal Mile.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
We were fascinated by the burial stones and monuments in the Greyfriars Kirkyard, where many of Edinburgh’s famous names are buried. Outside the graveyard walls is the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye terrier who for 14 years stayed near the grave of his master, an Edinburgh police officer.
The National Museum of Scotland
Nearby, we could have spent hours in National Museum of Scotland. It has a large, eclectic collection of art, archaeology, history and technology exhibits.
Loom demonstrating how tartan plaid was woven.
“˜The Maiden’, a guillotine used to behead criminals between 1564 and 1710.
Quiet by the University of Edinburgh
Down the street the museum we headed to the University of Edinburgh area. Since classes were not in session, the area was quiet and peaceful. We caught up on email with the free Wi-Fi during lunch at Aspen, as Mr. Jones continued his fish and chips pilgrimage.
First of many Tennant’s drank throughout the UK
At Aspen we first sampled Tennant’s which became Mr. Jones favorite beer throughout the United Kingdom.
Have you been to Edinburgh? What are your favorite spots?
See other posts in this series: