Today is the first totally free day we have had in the past three weeks. This occurred because O.A.T. changed the date of our Maritime Jewels boat trip by moving it forward one day. This created a gap between our Shetland Islands extension and the Maritime trip.
We just come to expect the unexpected. There was confusion at the Marriott front desk about our extra day, but Moira, our trip leader straightened it out. We were assured we had the extra day in the same room and it included breakfast, great.
Carl and I spoke to the front desk and requested a cab for four and luggage for Monday morning. (it seems 90% of the cabs here are pre-hire, very few to catch on the street). We were assured this was no problem, well it came Sunday morning instead of Monday. The problem is, almost all the front desk staff at this Marriott do not speak English as a first language (even though we are in an English speaking country), most are French.
When we returned to the hotel mid-afternoon after being gone all day, our room keys did not work and we had to have them reprogrammed.
This afternoon we again went to the front desk to arrange a cab for tomorrow morning to take us to the train station. This time I wrote the details down and the clerk called while we were there. Our fingers are crossed that it will arrive.
We have had more issues at this Marriott than at all the other "less fancy" hotels put together.
Last evening, as Kay and I entered the elevator to descend to the 4th floor from the lobby (which is on the 5th floor) a couple already on the elevator commented about the strangeness of the lobby on the 5th floor. This couple was obviously English. When Kay responded, the lady erupted "Girl, where are you from? Georgia?" When Kay answered in the affirmative, her English accent dropped and she said she was originally from Winterville, GA near Athens. It is a small world. We bumped into them again today and she said "Hello, Georgia girl".
I plotted the major routes we took in the Shetlands. I know there were a few side trips not mapped, but this is pretty much the area we covered over the past 5 days.
After a slightly later than normal breakfast, we left at 9:40 for a 20 minute walk to the Surgeons' Hall Museums which opened at 10:00. We arrived right on time and after paying our "concession" entrance fee, read "senior discount" of 4.5 pounds we spent a fascinating 3 hours wandering over the five levels of the Museums.
Surgeons’ Hall Museums explore the history of medicine and the development of surgery and dentistry throughout the centuries. The Royal College of Surgeons was founded in 1505, creating the Museum in 1699. The College is dedicated to the education, training and a rigorous examination of surgical practices.
Initially founded as a means of educating medical students, in 1832 the Surgeon's Hall Museums opened their doors to the public making it them the oldest museums in Scotland.
Unfortunately, no photography is allowed in the museum so I can't share any photos I took, but here are a few I found on the internet. There is a posted notice: "The Museum contains human remains that some people may find unsettling." I am sure some do, the tanned skin of a French officer from the 1790's was pretty bad... Not to mention all the skulls, skeletons, and preserved body parts.
After our 3 hour museum visit, we decided to again try Oinks Scottish Roasted Pig restaurant. It was so busy last week when we were here, it was impossible. After about a 20 to 30 minute wait we were finally able to place our order, but there were no tables available so we left in search of a place to eat. We settled on some concrete benches which were mercifully out of the wind. I thought the roast pork was OK, nothing special but the price was good.
The next item on our agenda which we were not able to do last week was to hike up Calton Hill. It is here you get some of the most panoramic views of the city.
Calton Hill is also famous for its collection of historic monuments, which form some of the most important landmarks of the city. One of the most striking is the National Monument, inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Intended to commemorate the Scottish servicemen who died in the Napoleonic Wars, it was never completed, due to lack of funds, leaving just the twelve columns you see today.
Waverly rail station, the largest in the city. We will be leaving from Haywood station, much smaller.
The Nelson Monument, shaped like an up-turned telescope. Completed in 1816, the monument commemorates the death of Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
The remainder of the photos are just views from and round Calton Hill.
The unfinished National Monument
Arthur's Seat
Arthur's Seat is an ancient volcano which is the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh.
If we had another day, it would have been nice to hike it.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace or Holyroodhouse, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
And finally, after returning to the hotel around 3:30, we walked up the street to find a couple of beers. These are both Scottish brewed, and I found the Dark Ale quite nice. Kay preferred the Golden.
After all the roasted pork for lunch, none of us were too hungry for dinner, but we did manage to have an ice cream or milk shake. Oh well, we are on holiday.
We are leaving the hotel at 9:30 tomorrow for a 10:30 train to Aberdeen. We should arrive just after 1:00 PM. The scenery along the way is supposed to be amazing. I'll let you know...
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