Monday, May 9, 2011

Our last day in Edinburgh. Farley scooted off to attend a few last sessions of the conference and I headed off to view a restored Georgian mansion in the New Town section. A sudden downpour made my return to the hotel a bit damp, but we were all packed up and picking up our rental car by 2:30. We were a bit challenged to start in the rental car – what with the steering wheel on the right and therefore gearshift to the left of the driver – not to mention driving on the left side of the road… Farley proved himself adept behind the wheel once again and we headed up the coast road (Fife Coastal Tourist Trail) as merry as you please. I confess I was a bit of a nervous Nelly but only said “drive on the left” in a panicked tone of voice once or twice.

A brief stop in Crail where we had hoped for a late tea with snacks only to find the tea room closed. It appeared the whole town had closed up about 4 p.m. We took a couple of snaps of the harbor; it was quite picturesque. I got a kick out of this sign and luckily we adhered to the warning and managed not to drive off the wharf.

The Scottish weather caught us again just before we arrived in St. Andrews, with a combination of lightning, thunder, hail and heavy rain. But only for about 20 minutes, and it cleared off in time for a yummy dinner after checking into our Guest House. It’s not the Hilton, but it’s a fine place to stay.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

We awoke to a sunny morning and a big breakfast before heading out on a walk around St. Andrews. We cut across the university grounds and then walked down to ruins of, first, St. Andrews castle, then around the cliffs to St. Andrews Cathedral. The cathedral must have been dazzling when it last stood some 400+ years ago, and it’s amazing that the remaining walls and surrounding cemetery have weathered so well. We continued our walk past the harbor and the beach (55 degrees so no sunbathers) and then through town. After a quick lunch, we jumped in the car and headed towards the golfing part of St. Andrews.

We decided to pass on the Himalayas (a putting course set up on the ladies putting green at the clubhouse) and instead drove down the beach road past the golf museum, R&A clubhouse, and hotel alongside several holes of the “newer” courses. We then doubled-back and turned down the road next to 18 on the Old Course, glancing over at players while navigating the narrow street past shops and hotels. We did find a parallel parking spot (never have done that from the wrong side of the car before) and walked out between groups to admire the bridge on 18 and the Road Hole green and bunker (it’s only as wide as it is deep, so I now understand why you are toast once you’ve hit it in there).

We then headed up the coast again after crossing the Tay Bridge through a larger town called Dundee, passing fishing villages, and fields of gold and bright green. It rained for the fifth time today as we arrived at our destination, but again only for a few minutes before the sun peeked back out from behind the clouds. We were seaside at Dunnottar Castle, or its remains, a ruin dating back to the 14th century that was essentially abandoned in the early 1700’s. Perched high above the crashing North Sea with birds flying all about, you could still feel how special it must have been to live high above the shores, at least when others weren’t attacking the castle!!

We finished our day with a drive to a “less than expected” B&B and a better than expected meal at the Old Mill Inn on the River Dee. Only three more sightseeing days, seems like we’ve had not enough time.