Scotland-The Land of Bagpipes and Kilts

Last weekend a group of six of us headed up to Scotland for a few days. It was definitely a successful trip especially for what little time we had! We left on Thursday night and took a night bus up to Edinburgh. One word of advice to everyone—never take a night bus. Avoid it at all costs. Nine hours on a freezing bus with non-reclining chairs allowed for hardly any sleep and was the most miserable experience in my life! I feel bad complaining because once we got to Scotland it was SO great! We got there at 7:30 the next morning and since there was nothing open and it was absolutely freezing outside we took residence in McDonald’s for a few hours. Even though that was so homeless of us we got our day all planned out and started our trip at Edinburgh castle.

I love the city because it’s just a city built in, around, and all over hills. The castle is just set up on a hill in the middle of city and is one of the most beautiful castles I’ve seen. After the castle and spending so much time in the freezing rain we went to The Elephant House, a little café where J.K. Rowling started writing Harry Potter. I started writing a book while I was there. It's about wizards and I think it will be a hit. But the hot chocolate warmed us up and was a good pick-me-up and gave us energy for a few more hours to walk along the streets of shops.

After a few Christmas shops that I LOVED and a couple vintage clothing shops we went to the hotel and took a few hour nap. Since we were soaked through our clothes and were running on no sleep it felt so good to just be lying down on something horizontal, let alone a comfortable bed. I was so happy!

After the best nap EVER we went to walk the Royal Mile and ended up doing a tour of the Underground City starting at St. Gile’s Cathedral. Even though our tour guide was a crazy man and told us way too much about “the wee men dancing in their kelts building bredges” it ended up being a really great tour and fun for something close to Halloween. I learned a ton about the unsanitary state of the underground city and the spooky things that happen and it made me happy to be a resident of Draper and not EdinburghJ, although it is an awesome place to visit! After our tour Kace and I went back to the room and watched our first TV in two months—it felt so good! Our first day felt so long due to the bus ride that shall not be named and the many things we saw but it was a great day and curling up in my Best Western bed with a flat screen to enjoy was the perfect endJ.

We started Saturday out by climbing Arthur’s Seat. It was unbelievable! It’s just a huge “hill” where you can see everything for miles, it really is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. Plus I saw an old man legitimately hiking in a kilt—doesn’t get much better than that. We were lucky enough to have a perfect clear day; had it not been so cold and windy I could have stayed up there forever!

Once we came down we walked down the entire Royal Mile where we were able to enjoy the sound of bagpipes. You know, all my life I’ve associated bagpipes with Scotland but never knew they really played them as “pop” music but they definitely do. I’ll be honest I actually enjoy hearing them! Maybe I’ll pick up learning bagpipes when I get home. Lori Paulsen on the accordion and me on the bagpipes—it would be epic!

 After the Royal Mile we went the National Museum of Scotland and the National Gallery which I LOVED! With humanities taking up so much of my time here I have grown to love art even more than before! As a last hoorah before stepping back on the dreaded bus we went to this café called Chocolate Soup and had THE BEST hot chocolate I have ever had in my life. So good!! Unfortunately our time there was too short-lived and we had to get back on the bus for nine more hours. The ride home wasn’t as bad, even though my window was broken and my right arm was wet the whole time—other than that, it was ok. Once we got into London at 6:30 Sunday morning half of the tube was shut down so I rode in my first taxi and got back in just enough time to take off for church! But no matter how bad the bus ride was and how dramatic I am explaining it, it was worth it because Scotland is one of my new favorite places and I’m so glad I had the chance to experience it!