One of the portraits in the ceiling of Stirling Castle
Katherine in the bedroom
We like the tapestries
This a is view from the top of the Castle
We girls were happy to dress up like queens
The Wallace Monumemt
Robert the Bruce looks over Stirling
Craig and Ian
Dad and Debbie at Castle Campbell
There were good places to explore at Castle Campbell
It was impossible to do justice to the view with a camera
James, about to fall from the tower
Entrance to Castle Campbell
We liked this tree outside the castle
Dad and Joseph scaling the walls of Castle Campbell
Looking back at Castle Campbell as we left
Callendar House was full of history
Deb's family waited patiently for us to finish the tour
We loved this tree on the ground of Calendar House
Our two oldest grandson's looking good in their school uniforms
Rosslyn Chapel made famous by the Davinci Code
A darling country house
This old in was built in the 1600's
View from Craigmiller Castle
Trying to keep warm at Craigmiller castle. It was very cold that day
Jime at the door of Craigmiller Castle
There were two pretty trees inside the courtyard
Mary Queen of Scots stayed here on her way to Edinburgh
A view from the top of Craigmiller
Looking down from the fourth story
Craigmiller was so big, we had a hard time finding our way out
The street below Deb's front room window
Looking down into the gardens of Deb's flat
The city center of Edinburgh
This tower is a landmark in the city
Here I am with the bagpiper after trying to record the worst video ever of the bagpiper
Dad tried not to look pained when we got him to dress up like Henry the Eighth
Katherine at the National Museum
Katherine had many opportunities to try on costumes from different time periods
We loved walking the streets of Edinburg
The Moon was a Ghostly Gallion
We recently returned from a trip to Scotland. We had a great time. We loved walking around the city of Edinburgh. It is an old city of dignity and majesty that defies description. We loved the sights, the sounds, smells and tastes of that city. It was cold at times and we were grateful for scarves, hats and gloves. I can understand why these people drink so much tea. We saw great art treasures at the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. We filled our heads with history as we toured museums. We took a trip with Debbie's ward to the Preston Temple. It was four hours each way. We were glad we could go and we were more grateful for having our temple nearby. We got to see what a 100 year old flat was like. It was fun to look out our bedroom window and see the chimney close up. Debbie's family live on the top floor, four flights up. They get lots of exercise, between walking up the stairs and walking most everywhere they go. I wondered what they would do in case of fire. I soon helped them discover what a good smoke alarm system they had when I accidentally changed the voltage dial on Deb's hairdryer. I'm just glad the whole building didn't evacuate. We got to see Katherine and Joseph's primary program. They both did a great job. We toured Stirling Castle, Castle Campbell, and Craigmiller castle. We visited Rosslynn Chapel and St Giles Cathedral. We went to Callendar house, a stately old manor and Holyrood Palace, where the queen stays when she is on business in Scotland. We had lunch at Clarinda's Tea Shop, which has to be the cutest place for ladies who love old Victorian things. It was adorable. We ate dinner in a very nice restaurant where the waiter placed my napkin in my lap for me. I felt like a queen. We attended a convert baptism and spent a day working on family history. We found some information on Craig's family, but not as much as we hoped. We tasted a lot of good food, especially treats. Debbie made us porridge with cream. It was very good. We went to a park with some really unique play equipment. The kids loved that. We walked everywhere we went in Edinburgh and I'm sure we averaged four miles a day. Everything was so interesting we didn't notice how far we were walking. We always felt safe wherever we went, even after dark. It was good preparation for our mission to meet so many senior missionaries and visit with them about their experiences. We learned we could survive a ten hour flight even though it's not our favorite thing. We felt the prayers of our family, as a delay in our departure made it possible for us to obtain better seats on the way over. We returned home without any delays, even though a hurricane was hitting the east coast. In addition to all of this, now when I think of Debbie and her family far away, I see in my mind where they live and understand more of their daily lives. It is a good thing for a mother. We will always be grateful for this opportunity.
