Scotland

After a day in York together, J&J spent a few days touring Scotland without me so that I could do some practice and study. I joined them afterwards in Edinburgh and then Glasgow. The more I see of these places the more I love them.
In York we did the (very cold) open top bus tour of the town. We also did Betty's. Actually, it was Big Betty's, and so yes, we did queue. But we had a lovely lunch. And dad also had the 'little rascal' specialty, a sultana-filled scone/ biscuit thing.
Edinburgh is such a beautiful city. We went to the Castle (of course) where we saw a bridal party descend the Lang Stairs (complete with umberella-carrying attendants) and the Scottish Honours and Crown Jewels. Nice.
Down the Royal Mile is Mary King's Close. Although there are many closes in Edinburgh, this one has been 'preserved', because the Royal Exchange was built over the top of it. We took a tour of the close, seeing the tiny houses, cellars and even a byre (like a barn). Conditions were quite cramped and unhygenic. Great tour though.
We found a Scottish restaurant for lunch where mum was introduced to Cullen Skink, a smoked haddock and potato soup. She took notes so she could replicate it at home. I was introduced to the local whisky, Glenkinchie. I, too, took notes.
We finished our Edinburgh day with a little trip to the Whisky Centre, next to the Castle. Lovely. The first time I visited Glasgow I really didn't like it. However, I am starting to appreciate its charm, which is quite different to Edinburgh's. We visited the gorgeous Macintosh House at the Hunterian Museum. I would like a house like that! I bought myself a cross-stitch kit of The Rose.

We then visited the Willow Tearooms (designed by Charles Rennie Macintosh) for lunch. Nothing like immersion when you've got a theme! It's such a beautiful place to take tea.

We spent the afternoon at The Tenement House, a National Trust run house in Buccleuch Street. After practising saying the street name for a while, we looked through the house, which had been owned by one lady for many years and had been unrenovated. It showed what life was like in a Glasgow tenement at the start of the 20th century.

I love discovering these little gems as well as the bigger tourist attractions of all these places.