After storing our luggage at the train station - 6 !@#$% pounds a bag!!!! (so about $20 each) -we set out for Royal Mile once again. At this point in our trip, we felt a real need for retail therapy and besides - we have made so many friends here we felt the need to contribute to the local economy. Which we did. In spad
es. Husbands - disregard this section.
Oh my, I got the most incredible tweed jacket. Anna got the "coolest hat ever", Tracy is going to be stylin' in a beautiful Buchanan plaid shawl, and Audrey cleaned out the stores of various Scottish things for her friends and relatives.

We did also try to get into the Edinburgh Castle, open once again. The sun was out - then rain - then sun - then rain - then sun and rain. The lines once we got into the castle, however, were Disneyesque and we had only a couple of hours before we needed to head back to the train station. Discretion being the better part of valor, we opted to hit the castle shop and move on.
Just a block down the street from the Castle was a restaurant recommended in my "10
Best of Everything in Scotland." The Wtchery was down a narrow close, and then you stepped down below street level into a thoroughly bewitching dining room filled with lilies and roses, linen tablecloths and silver cutlery. There was dark paneling on the walls and a large demon head in one of the window bays (we could see the feet of people walking by on the street above).
It was obvious that we were in a NICE restaurant (read pricey), but we decided we deserved it. We have tried to be frugal in our choice of eating establishments, and this would be our splurge. So I ordered a bottle of champagne and we toasted VAM, our colleagues, and our friends both new and old in the UK.
Just a block down the street from the Castle was a restaurant recommended in my "10
Best of Everything in Scotland." The Wtchery was down a narrow close, and then you stepped down below street level into a thoroughly bewitching dining room filled with lilies and roses, linen tablecloths and silver cutlery. There was dark paneling on the walls and a large demon head in one of the window bays (we could see the feet of people walking by on the street above).
After eating a delicious meal we made our way to the train station. The train to Glasgow was modern, clean and comfortable - and the journey quick. Our hotel, the Millennium Hotel, is just next to the station. Our good friend Peter Trowles from the Glasgow School of Art (you all may remember him from the past two VAM conferences) met us at the hotel. His brother
Peter did take us on a lightening tour of pubs, and we stuck our noses into half a dozen before returning to the hotel for a good night's sleep.
4 comments:
Looking forward to seeing the coolest hat ever. Does it have Loch Ness Monster ears on top?
It does seem like pubs were high on the list of things you did, obviously an important part of the cultural exchange.
Yes someone is reading this with great interest! But you know I had to print it out and take it home for bedtime reading. I am glad I did as Carol picked it up and is enjoying your trip too!
Post a Comment