Scottish Borders

(This is a continuation of my England/Scotland trip. I had already spent 10 days in London before leaving on this tour of Scotland. For my England albums, go to Albums, Western Europe, England 2005.)  We left London at about 6:30 a.m. Suitcases had to be outside our rooms at 5:15 a.m. and breakfast was to be at 5:30 a.m. However, someone forgot to tell the restaurant staff that there would be six Trafalgar tours leaving that morning and all needed breakfast. Finally, one of the restaurant staff showed up and took out of the kitchen what he could find to feed us. It was very easy to know who our tour director was––Ian Linn came dressed in tartan pants and other Scottish gear (he turned out to be an excellent tour director). We all got on our bus––it was to be one person shy of a full tour––47 (we left with only 43 as two people’s plane didn’t arrive in time to join us and they and two other people were to join us in Edinburgh). We had on board people from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. There were three other women traveling alone beside me. We left London to travel about 372 miles to Edinburgh. This rock told us when we had arrived in Scotland. The English heat wave even extended to Scotland and it was hot.

Scottish Borders

Scottish Borders

The other side of the rock.

Scottish Borders

Scottish Borders

The area of Scotland closest to England is called the Scottish Borders.

Scottish Borders

Scottish Borders

A view of the Scottish Borders.

Scottish Borders

Scottish Borders

Great portions of Scotland are farm land. The yellow field is either of canola or grape seed.

Scottish Borders

Scottish Borders

And great portions of this farmland are sheep and cow farms.

Scottish Borders

Scottish Borders

Our next stop in Scotland was in Jedburgh. This photo is of Jedburgh Abbey which was established in 1138. It was a monastery for Augustinian monks. There are many ruins of ancient buildings in the Scottish Borders, most destroyed during conflicts between Scotland and England. We didn’t go inside the abbey. Rather, we were given time to shop at the Jedbergh Woollen Mill (a branch of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill). I found the cotton sweathers that I had wanted to buy and bought two of them. If you live in a place that has cold winters, you will have great fun shopping in Scotland for wool and cashmere goods.

Scottish Borders

Scottish Borders

Scene on the side of the ruins.

Scottish Borders

Scottish Borders

The First and Last Shop in Scotland is also located here.

Scottish Borders

Scottish Borders

New houses with pretty gardens passed along the way to Edinburgh. The siding used looks much better when it is painted white or other colors.

Scottish Borders

Scottish Borders

Old houses passed along the way.

Scottish Borders

Queensferry

We arrived in Edinburgh almost at dinnertime. We had a little time to get situated in our hotel rooms (we stayed at the Point) before heading off for a special dinner at Queensferry (about 1/2–hour drive from Edinburgh) on the River Forth. This photo is of the one–mile bridge over the Forth. It was built in 1964 and at that time was the longest suspension bridge outside the United States. It reminds me of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Queensferry

Queensferry

The old town of Queensferry looked like an interesting place to explore. We drove through it but didn’t stop.

Queensferry

Queensferry

This rail bridge built in 1890 was the first major steel bridge in the world. We had a wonderful meal at a restaurant that overlooked the bridges. I had salmon––excellent. (In fact, all the food that I had in Scotland was very good, sometimes almost gourmet. I didn’t expect this and was very pleased.) We were treated here to bag pipe music. I put a movie clip on this site: Go to Movies, Western Europe, Scotland, “Bag Pipe Music.”

Queensferry