Scotland, August 2007--Part 1

In August 2007, Samantha, myself and a 15yo friend traveled to Scotland to visit our friends, the Cochrans, and see the country. Samantha and I had our own private suite in the Cochrans' caravan (camper) parked next to the garage, while Stephanie bunked with their 15yo daughter Amanda.

The Cochrans fed us and loaned us their car and let us take off exploring with Amanda. What trust! Not only was I learning to drive on the lefthand side of the road, but I was also shifting with my left hand while sitting in the righthand side of the car. On top of that, there was much dodging of cars (they like to park in the road there) and figuring out how to merge in and out while going around a roundabout.

In this photo, our car is the near blue one parked on the left, the red car is moving, and most of the other cars are parked. There was just barely enough room to maneuver betwen the parked cars. And, yes, I was parked in the road too. When in Scotland.........





Our first outing, on Thursday, our day of arrival, was to the town of St. Andrews, about 15 minutes away. It's where both Cochran kids go to school--Douglas at St. Andrews University and Amanda at Madras College (basically, a private high school)--and the family attends church.

Our walk included the pier where, on Sunday afternoons during term time, St. Andrews Univ. students in their scarlet gowns take a traditional walk down and back. It's considered somewhat daring to walk back on the more narrow, high part of the wall that you see to the left of the girls. Of course, we had to do that.

Next, we visited the ruins of the cathedral of St. Andrews. Just outside the wall surrounding the graveyard and building foundations was a lone bagpiper, seen through an opening in the wall.







Next, we climbed to the top of St. Rule's Tower. From there, we had a great view of the surrounding cathedral property and

nearby St. Andrews castle. Note the rectangular area bordered by the mossy rocks--an ancient swimming pool. When the tide went out, the sun warmed the water that remained, allowing for (almost) tolerable bathing.

At one point, a tunnel was dug beneath the castle walls. I believe it started out as two tunnels, with one side trying to get in and the other trying to get out. The two tunnels are joined now, but they definitely had different engineers.

We completely our first day in Scotland with a round of minigolf on the famous St. Andrews Women's Course.

Stephanie got a hole-in-one, but Ken Cochran got several.

On Friday, Debbie Cochran drove us to the train station for a day in Edinburgh.
We explored Edinburgh Castle,

visited Camera Obscura and the Tartan Weaving Mill,




and enjoyed the street performers of the annual Edinburgh Festival--jugglers, comedians, dancers, etc. This man had just lay on a bed of glass.

Samantha was chosen to participate in one man's show. It was her job to tell on everyone in the crowd who was not clapping when instructed.