Dan, Autumn and Grandma visit Scotland - April 2010

After fighting Iceland's volcanic ash clouds for a couple of weeks, the airports opened up and Dan, Autumn and Grandma made it to Edinburgh as scheduled.  We decided on a venue of historic Scotland, the City of Edinburgh and the natural beauties of this land.  It was so great to see family.  The best part of the trip was just being together.  The trip was scheduled around a Bank Holiday when the archive was closed.  With the weekend and the holiday, we were able to spend part of their holiday with them. We jammed a lot into our time, and almost killed Grandma with the pace. Below are a representive sample of the the things we saw and the things we did.

They don't look too bad for nearly a full day of travel getting here.  A good meal at the Ratho Carvery undoubtedly helped.

Our first stop was the Cammo Estate, within walking distance from our flat.  Here Dan is holding up a 200 year old water tower.

Dan and Autumn "did Edinburgh" on their own.  They took a bus tour and saw the sights.  Here they are on top of Authur's Seat, which is the highest point overlooking the city and a decent hike to get to. 

OK, superman, where is your cape?  Maybe it just doesn't work in a Scottish telephone booth.

We met up with Dan and Autumn in Edinburgh after our work day at the archive.  We had dinner at Deacon Brodie's and walked part of the Royal Mile and Prince's Street.  Here we are in front of the famous Jenner's department store. 

St. Gile's Cathedral makes a nice background for a picture.  St. Giles on the Royal Mile is where the Queen attends church when she's in Edinburgh.  Beautiful Edinburgh is just full of old churches and gorgeous old buildings.  Later we toured  "Mary Kings Close" - old lodgings still preserved underground when the City Chambers building was constructed over them.  We learned why doctors are sometimes called "quacks" and to run quickly when someone hollers "gardy-loo" as they empty the thunder pot out a window onto the alley street below. 

The only hinderance we really had was the rain, but it could have been a lot worse and we didn't let it slow us down.  The wind and cold were worse than the rain.  We hoped spring would arrive in time for their visit, but no such luck.  We just reminded oursevles that this is Scotland.  In the background are the ruins of Melrose Abbey.  Robert the Bruce's heart was carried into the Crusades and ended up being buried here.  Before coming to Melrose, we toured the archive, and then toured Rosslyn Chapel, of Da Vinci Code fame.

In the background is "Scott's View" in the Scottish Borders.  Sir Walter Scott would alway stop here traveling between his home and Drysburgh.  It was reported to be his favorite view of Scotland.

Here sits the King and Queen of Scotland, residing in their Stirling Castle.  They are in the "Great Hall" entertaining their noble guests.

One of the things Dan wanted to do was to see Loch Lomond.  We not only saw it, but took a boat ride.  Pictured here is the lake with Ben Lomond ("Ben" is mountain) in the background.  And yes, it was bit cold and misty, interspersed with a little rain. (It is prettier with the sun on it!)

If you want to know what the high part of the Scottish Highlands look like, this is it. . . heather-covered barren rolling hills, a few Red Deer, no sheep, and no people.  They do have a ski resort of sorts near where we took this picture.

And Scotland does have some blue sky.  It was pretty walking from the little fishing village of Stonehaven to the old ruins that once were Dunnottar Castle up north along the North Sea near Aberdeen.

If you are going to find an impressive site for a castle (and a beautiful daughter-in-law), this is it: sheer sea walls on three sides and a steep, narrow trail down and then up to approach the entrance.  Until gun powder was invented, it could not be touched.

Yes, Grandma made it - both ways - up and down to Dunnottar.  We didn't want to count the steps.  Her leg was hurting but she was a trooper.  At 86, she was a marvel! 

Glamis Castle is one that Cromwell didn't destoy as he made his English conquest.  It was a fun tour of a castle that is still being lived in and not in ruins.

Is this gate locked for a reason?? It still made a nice shortcut at Glamis Castle.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDA.  We won't say which one.  Dan and Autumn supplied the cake from Marks & Spencers.  It was fun to celebrate together in Scotland after a fun day in the rain. 

Dan and Autumn went on to London and Tuesday after the holiday was another work day for us.  Grandma stayed on for four more days with us and we put her to work paginating (numbering pages) at the archives.  Her eighty-six years of experience were very appreciated.  She enjoyed making a contribution and she did a great job.  Here we are with the other missionary couples we work with in our lunch room.