“Aye!” It was time to see Scotland. A work funded trip meant Michelle and I were able to visit the home of haggis, kilts, bagpipes and golf! Another Friday night excursion from Heathrow T1, no need for passports this trip. We arrived in Edinburgh 10.30pm, and the first thing that struck us was how cold it was, a clear and very crisp night. We spent 10 minutes trying to demist the window of our rental in the car park. There was no traffic on the road as we skipped up to Dundee, the Forth Road Bridge was impressive. As we drove next to Perth (That’s not the Australian version) we noticed a large fire, which looked a bit out of place. As we carried on a lot of fire engines with ladders were coming in the opposite direction. As it turns out a recycling factory caught fire.
The students were well underway when we arrived in Dundee, with more than a few drunken bodies staggering down the street. It amazed us how the girls wearing nothing but tight fitting short skirts survived what must have been only 3 or 4 degrees Celsius night.
We were staying at the Best Western Motel in Dundee. The queens hotel, which had a few famous visitors including Winston Churchill. Reception was closed when we arrived but good old Ernie (a rather deaf Scottish porter came to the rescue, and managed to sort us out) I was pretty tired, and I would have gone to room 731, had not Michelle reminded me that that number was the code to get out of the car park the next morning.
Rose at 7.30 and the day was cold and fine. We tucked into a large cooked breakfast that would keep us going most of the day. We needed to walk the breakfast off so we rolled down into the centre of town, passed the main church and the main square where locals were setting up their market stalls for hopefully a busy morning’s trade. Michelle bought some fudge and I poked my head into a Jehovah’s Witness Gathering in the main city hall. After picking up a few pamphlets from the Jehovah’s Michelle and I walked down to the water front. The waterfront is still very much under development, but when finished it will be a real asset for Dundee. Admiring the harbour and the large bridges we took a few pictures. We strolled over to discovery point where the RRS Discovery was docked. This vessel was used by Captain Scott on expeditions to the Antarctic in 1901 (hence the name Scott base, I presume).
Back at the Hotel we picked up the car and headed to Dundee’s highest point to gain an overview of the city, it was very peaceful up there and we got great clear views up and down the harbour and of the city. We next headed 12 miles north of Dundee to Glamis Castle, holiday home to the Queen Mother and other royals. The tour was really interesting and rooms in the castle were bulging with history. After the tour we strolled round the grounds, which were very picturesque in autumn. Taking an alternative way buck to Dundee we went via Forfar and Arbroath. We stopped at Broughtyferry beach just before Dundee, we didn’t dream of going for a dip, even the locals weren’t that crazy. We walked round to the jetty and watched a young lad fish, I attempted a conversation but I think he was a bit freaked out by a couple of out of towners with strange accents.
We had to make the Rugby by 3pm so with help of MIchelles phone and less than helpful road works we eventually found the ground. Michelle was shocked by having to pay 8 quid to watch a game of Rugby, but it was definitely worth it as Dundee High (my future homeclub, maybe...) ran away 41-8 over the Watsonians. They had some big boys in both teams and the standard of rugby was very good. Having only nibbled on fudge since breakfast we tucked into some steak pies, sandwiches and Iron Bru at half time. I talked to a few of the lads over a few pints in the club rooms after the game, trying to sus out a few contacts for my potential move up. We drove over the Tay Bridge for a couple of pictures of the sunset.
Back to the Hotel we chilled out before heading into town for a curry at Jahanghir. The meal (hand on heart) was one of the best currys I have ever had. Next we sampled some of the local night life at the clubs. I felt very old, even Michelle got waved through not having to show I.D. with a wry smile from the bouncer. We only lasted till about midnight before heading back to the hotel for a hot chocolate and bed, we felt like a couple of Nana’s.
Hangover free the next day we crossed the bridge to Tayport and got a good early morning view back across the inlet to Dundee. Onwards to St Andrews - the home of golf, pulled up to the driving range and watched people who knew how to handle a golf club unlike me. I didn’t realise there were more than 1 course in St Andrews. The traditional course is known as the old course. We checked the old club house the 1st tee off and the 18th green. Then we were lucky enough to strike a free day at the British golf Museum so we decided to check it out, it was fascinating seeing how the game evolved from primitive clubs and balls to what it is today. Almost every shop in St Andrews sold some sort of golf equipment. There was also a university at St Andrews and some ruins.
Back on the road we cruised through the countryside passing through lots of small towns until we hit the A92 Motorway, then the bridge then Edinburgh. Apparently every day at 1pm they fire cannons from the castle, but we just missed it. We parked right under the castle then walked around the gardens passing the closing ceremony of some sort of running race sponsored by Mens health. Feeling a bit peckish we walked into a mall and picked up subway and a chocolate milkshake from Maccas. Then we popped into the information centre and sorted out accommodation options for New Years. Then we walked the Royal Mile from Scottish Parliament right up to the Castle. Edinburgh had a really good buzz about it, from the street performers playing the bagpipes to the small cobbled streets to the architecture. Can’t wait to go back! That’s pretty much all we had time for, we drove around the city for a bit then headed back out to the airport for our 6.45pm flight with BMI. Awesome weekend, looking forward to spending a lot of time exploring Scotland.
The students were well underway when we arrived in Dundee, with more than a few drunken bodies staggering down the street. It amazed us how the girls wearing nothing but tight fitting short skirts survived what must have been only 3 or 4 degrees Celsius night.
We were staying at the Best Western Motel in Dundee. The queens hotel, which had a few famous visitors including Winston Churchill. Reception was closed when we arrived but good old Ernie (a rather deaf Scottish porter came to the rescue, and managed to sort us out) I was pretty tired, and I would have gone to room 731, had not Michelle reminded me that that number was the code to get out of the car park the next morning.
Rose at 7.30 and the day was cold and fine. We tucked into a large cooked breakfast that would keep us going most of the day. We needed to walk the breakfast off so we rolled down into the centre of town, passed the main church and the main square where locals were setting up their market stalls for hopefully a busy morning’s trade. Michelle bought some fudge and I poked my head into a Jehovah’s Witness Gathering in the main city hall. After picking up a few pamphlets from the Jehovah’s Michelle and I walked down to the water front. The waterfront is still very much under development, but when finished it will be a real asset for Dundee. Admiring the harbour and the large bridges we took a few pictures. We strolled over to discovery point where the RRS Discovery was docked. This vessel was used by Captain Scott on expeditions to the Antarctic in 1901 (hence the name Scott base, I presume).
Back at the Hotel we picked up the car and headed to Dundee’s highest point to gain an overview of the city, it was very peaceful up there and we got great clear views up and down the harbour and of the city. We next headed 12 miles north of Dundee to Glamis Castle, holiday home to the Queen Mother and other royals. The tour was really interesting and rooms in the castle were bulging with history. After the tour we strolled round the grounds, which were very picturesque in autumn. Taking an alternative way buck to Dundee we went via Forfar and Arbroath. We stopped at Broughtyferry beach just before Dundee, we didn’t dream of going for a dip, even the locals weren’t that crazy. We walked round to the jetty and watched a young lad fish, I attempted a conversation but I think he was a bit freaked out by a couple of out of towners with strange accents.
We had to make the Rugby by 3pm so with help of MIchelles phone and less than helpful road works we eventually found the ground. Michelle was shocked by having to pay 8 quid to watch a game of Rugby, but it was definitely worth it as Dundee High (my future homeclub, maybe...) ran away 41-8 over the Watsonians. They had some big boys in both teams and the standard of rugby was very good. Having only nibbled on fudge since breakfast we tucked into some steak pies, sandwiches and Iron Bru at half time. I talked to a few of the lads over a few pints in the club rooms after the game, trying to sus out a few contacts for my potential move up. We drove over the Tay Bridge for a couple of pictures of the sunset.
Back to the Hotel we chilled out before heading into town for a curry at Jahanghir. The meal (hand on heart) was one of the best currys I have ever had. Next we sampled some of the local night life at the clubs. I felt very old, even Michelle got waved through not having to show I.D. with a wry smile from the bouncer. We only lasted till about midnight before heading back to the hotel for a hot chocolate and bed, we felt like a couple of Nana’s.
Hangover free the next day we crossed the bridge to Tayport and got a good early morning view back across the inlet to Dundee. Onwards to St Andrews - the home of golf, pulled up to the driving range and watched people who knew how to handle a golf club unlike me. I didn’t realise there were more than 1 course in St Andrews. The traditional course is known as the old course. We checked the old club house the 1st tee off and the 18th green. Then we were lucky enough to strike a free day at the British golf Museum so we decided to check it out, it was fascinating seeing how the game evolved from primitive clubs and balls to what it is today. Almost every shop in St Andrews sold some sort of golf equipment. There was also a university at St Andrews and some ruins.
Back on the road we cruised through the countryside passing through lots of small towns until we hit the A92 Motorway, then the bridge then Edinburgh. Apparently every day at 1pm they fire cannons from the castle, but we just missed it. We parked right under the castle then walked around the gardens passing the closing ceremony of some sort of running race sponsored by Mens health. Feeling a bit peckish we walked into a mall and picked up subway and a chocolate milkshake from Maccas. Then we popped into the information centre and sorted out accommodation options for New Years. Then we walked the Royal Mile from Scottish Parliament right up to the Castle. Edinburgh had a really good buzz about it, from the street performers playing the bagpipes to the small cobbled streets to the architecture. Can’t wait to go back! That’s pretty much all we had time for, we drove around the city for a bit then headed back out to the airport for our 6.45pm flight with BMI. Awesome weekend, looking forward to spending a lot of time exploring Scotland.
