Ah, Scottish air! It is dry and much cooler here - around 65 degrees with partial cloud cover. A beautiful day to explore and see the city. First, we needed to relocate to our hotel in the midst of everything. We took our bags, gathered our wits and hopped onto the bus. It took us all the way to the city center and then we hoofed it the short distance to the hotel and left our bags.

The primary attraction was Edinburgh Castle. We got our tickets and proceeded through the main portcullis, built in 1574. The castle is more than a building surrounded by walls, it is an entire compound built on top of an ancient volcano. It gives a commanding view of all the land to the water's edge. We walked through the former armory and then noticed the time - we needed to find a place to view the one o'clock gun. Kirsten secured a place and Howard went to take some pictures. By the time he returned, he needed to pass the camera over to her because he couldn't get close to the railing.

We had lunch then saw the Scottish Crown Jewels (not as impressive as the British), the war memorial to those Scots who perished in the first world war and tried to see the chapel (the oldest building in Edinburgh) but were turned away because a wedding was taking place. Along the way we stopped and admired the views of the city below. Edinburgh has a lovely mix of classical architecture and new construction. No high rises block the view of the ocean, btu there is not the homogeneity of Paris.

We walked the Royal Mile, stopping in at various stores along the way. We also walked into "new town" and discovered that it was mostly filled with modern clothing stores and boutiques. We worked our way back up the hill to "old town" and sought out Monster Mash. They are a local establishment focusing on, well, bangers and mash and other traditional British menu items. It was great - Kirsten had a veg shepard's pie and Howard had veg (tomato and garlic and mushroom) bangers and mash. A fun and very filling meal.

Walking back, we stopped to see the Mighty Gareth and the end of his juggling show. Gareth has 4 fluorescent mohawks on his head, thin as stripes on a pinpoint shirt. He amused the crowd, ate some fire and finished by juggling a mini chainsaw, a machete and an apple (check out the video). Truly a character.

Hotel: Jury's Inn
Restaurant(s): Monster Mash (British)
Attractions: Edinburgh Castle & museums, Royal Mile, New Town, Old Town