Scotland day 2–Edinburgh

On Sunday we went to morning church in Edinburg (which was lovely) and then set out to see the city.  Jeff declared it his favorite city ever.  It was surely one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to.  Old and stark and worn and beautiful.  We lucked out to find a huge parking space (for our huge van) just steps from the Royal Mile.  The minute we opened the car doors the ambiance of that city swirled around us as the bagpipers music filled the air.  We walked around Edinburg Castle (above) and up and down the streets and alleys connecting into the Royal Mile.  The city feels old and familiar and wise.The kids loved running up and down exploring all the little side streets off the main pedestrian walk way. Jeff was psyched to see this sculpture of Adam Smith, the founder of Economics.  I think this is the first time he’s ever asked me to take a picture of him.I loved all the tartan in the windows and shops selling cashmere and kilts. We decided to spend some of our time visiting the Camera Obscura Museum which got really good reviews on Trip Advisor.  Peter zonked out in the buggy so Jeff and I took turns taking the kids through this museum of optical illusions and magic.  They had an old Victorian Camera Obscura which is an optical device that projects an image of its surroundings on a screen (I got that from Wikipedia).  It’s just like periscope on a submarine, only not underwater.  The kids and I got to watch a little presentation and see how it works.  We used it to spy on people walking up and down the Royal Mile.  The kids were captivated by it.  Afterwards we walked out onto the roof for spectacular views of the city.  This is Emmeline’s “I have to go wee” face. After admiring the view we went through 4 floors of crazy magic, holograms and optical illusions.  It was very entertaining for all of us.  I’ll let the pictures do the talking here. This is the mirror maze (above).  I wish I’d have taken a picture in the Vortex Tunnel because it was freaking awesome.  All of us laughed our heads off as we tried to walk through without falling over.  It’s crazy how you can feel like you’re moving when you’re really not at all.  Even little Peter walked through once he woke up from his nap. And then we had a barrel of laughs looking at ourselves in the funny mirrors.  Seriously, these pictures will make you chuckle. Especially this one of Charlie.  It’s my favorite. Peter really liked them too.  He was dumbfounded and delighted by all those moving images of that sweet little baby.

While Jeff was in the museum with the kids I got to walk around and explore the “new” part of the city.  It was so peaceful walking up and down those steep hills with a baby sleeping in the buggy and no one trailing behind me whining. 

This is the monument built for Sir Walter Scott.  There were a few of them around the city.  I guess I should read something by him one day.

Bill Bryson calls Edinburg “beautiful and beguiling” and “glorious” and “captivating.”  I whole heartedly agree.  It captured us.

(by the way, we are loving listening to Bryson's Notes from a Small Island.   Thanks Tal for the audiobook. )