Our Scotland Brave Adventure!

[calypso726]

After lunch we checked out of the Sheraton and into The Witchery by the Castle. This place was built in the 16th century. They have 8 or maybe 9 now suites which book up very quickly. We are staying in the Inner Sanctum Suite. This is where Michael Douglas proposed to Catherine Zeta Jones. Brad Pitt and Jack Nicholson have also slept on this bed … not at the same time though.

My jaw quite literally dropped when we were escorted into the suite. The pictures on the website do it no justice. It is way over the top dramatic and oh so fun!

We get a bottle of champagne and sparkling water every morning in our room along with a continental breakfast. In the afternoon we get fresh baked cookies and turndown service comes with a chocolate bar too!

The breakfast nook above also has cushions in the window so you can see the people outside and off into the distance.

 

[sayhello]

What a cool place you've found to stay! Looks like your trip is off to a great start!

Sayhello

 

[friends with mickey]

It is amazing how at home you guys look in your pictures, and the pictures are amazing.

 

[DizDragonfly]

We walked down the Royal Mile and then had lunch at The World’s End pub.

I had a nice Strongbow Cider with ale steak pie and DH had fish & chips. We both had sticky toffee pudding … mmmmmm

*tears* This brings back such great memories!! Did you ask about the basement?

 

[calypso726]

This is amazing!

Thank you for sharing because you have no idea what
this is doing to my Scottish heart strings!! The sights you already posted are bringing back a flood of memories --- canny wait to be back "hame" with my wee brrroood!

I am so happy to hear you are enjoying the pictures.

What a great start to your trip! And I love that you've already found two gentlemen named Jamie that has to be a good sign right

Absolutely!!!

What a cool place you've found to stay! Looks like your trip is off to a great start!

Sayhello

I love this place. Quite beyond my expectations.

It is amazing how at home you guys look in your pictures, and the pictures are amazing.

Thanks! We are really enjoying ourselves.

*tears* This brings back such great memories!! Did you ask about the basement?

Darn! I knew I forgot something. No worries though. We plan on you g there for lunch tomorrow and I will ask then.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

We did Mary King's Close tonight! We hiked Arthur's Seat earlier in the day. Looking forward to meeting you both tomorrow night. The Witchery looks like quite the place!

 

[peloha86]

How fun!!! Living through you and Wally as usual
Allen's grandmother is from Scotland, so someday it'll be a stop for us
Happily waiting for the next entry!!!

 

[calypso726]

We did Mary King's Close tonight! We hiked Arthur's Seat earlier in the day. Looking forward to meeting you both tomorrow night. The Witchery looks like quite the place!

We enjoyed Mary King's Close. It was cool and our guide did an excellent job! We are hoping to hike Arthur's Seat tomorrow. Can't wait to meet you guys too!!! We love it here!!! The coolest part is when the Tattoo lets out the cast comes right down the esplanade playing their instruments and we got to sit and watch them go by in our window seat! Unexpected bonus!

How fun!!! Living through you and Wally as usual
Allen's grandmother is from Scotland, so someday it'll be a stop for us
Happily waiting for the next entry!!!

Jennifer it is awesome!!! I LOVE it here. The next entry is coming right up!

 

[calypso726]

Last night we attended the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. What a spectacular show!!!! We purchased one of the VIP packages which included dinner in the Queen Anne Room at the Castle. We met with group at the Esplanade of the castle which was literally a few yards from The Witchery by the Castle where we are staying. We were escorted to the Queen Anne’s room after a champagne reception. During the reception we had carrot cabbage cumin fritters, shrimp with sweet chili, haggis wrapped in oatmeal and salmon with caper salsa.

The dinner menu:

After dinner we were escorted across the esplanade to our seats. We saw several of the performers getting ready “back stage”.

This was the view as we made our way from the castle to our seats which are directly in front in the covered red section at the top part.

The theme for the Tattoo this year is “Natural Scotland”
The lone Piper … In the beginning

The Highland Tattoo dancers representing daybreak.

The People’s Republic of South Korea representing Spring.

The IMPS Motorcycle display team. These kids are 6 – 16 years old.

The castle showcasing the Mexican theme for Festival of the Dead and presenting summer.

The New Zealand Army band representing autumn. These guys were great and had everyone laughing especially when they busted out a rendition of Gangnam Style.

The Lochiel Marching drill team representing nightfall. These ladies were incredible!

The Mongolian armed forces representing winter

Massed Military bands representing the parade of the animals

 

[calypso726]

Everybody together now during a rendition of What a Wonderful World

Then the entire audience holds hands with each other and sings Auld Lange Syne

Fireworks too!

After the show there was another champagne and whisky reception. There we met some of the top military dignitaries from the countries represented during the show. Lieutenant Colonel In-Keun Hwang of South Korea

This is what happens when you have two cameras going at once and don’t know which one is shooting first. This is General Ryu Ji Yuong also from South Korea.

 

[beeadude]

OMG you guys are having the time of your life. Love every picture. Is this all with Adventures by Disney? Or are you hooking up with them later?

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

LOVING THE PICTURES!!!! I am just in AWE of all of them! That Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo looks absolutely amazing!!!!! What an incredible opportunity for you & Wally!!!! WOW!

 

[sayhello]

Wow! The Tatoo looks amazing! Great photos! You really know how to start off a vacation with a bang!

Sayhello

 

[calypso726]

OMG you guys are having the time of your life. Love every picture. Is this all with Adventures by Disney? Or are you hooking up with them later?

We really are! No, this is the pre-trip that I planned out for us. We actually hook up with Adventures by Disney later today. Oh, I sent your grand daughter a post card from "Merida". The picture on front is the castle that Merida's castle is based upon. The handwriting is based on Merida's official signature. I wasn't sure if she has an autograph from Merida while visiting WDW but if she does, the handwriting should be the same.

LOVING THE PICTURES!!!! I am just in AWE of all of them! That Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo looks absolutely amazing!!!!! What an incredible opportunity for you & Wally!!!! WOW!

Thanks!!!! The Tattoo was simply spectacular!!! My pictures could never do this event justice. I wish I were closer, I'd go every year!

Wow! The Tatoo looks amazing! Great photos! You really know how to start off a vacation with a bang!

Sayhello

Thank you!!! We are having a blast!

 

[calypso726]

David, the driver we hired through concierge on Paddles’ recommendation through The Balmoral came to pick us up at The Witchery by the Castle on Saturday morning. I was impressed with the service from concierge. When I initially inquired they asked which days we had available and I explained that we don’t check in with them until Sunday. Sunday would work but our time would be more limited as we had to check out at the Witchery, check in to the Balmoral and be back in time to meet our guides and group. Saturday was our best day to do this but we weren’t technically guests with them yet. They offered us Saturday and also said we could settle the charges the next day when we checked in! That was unexpected and appreciated.
David drove us to Stirling and we stopped a couple of times along the way to see some of the sights along the journey. He has lots of knowledge of the country and its history. Listening to him speak and tell stories was the highlight of the day for me and Wally too. Below, the River Forth, Queens South Crossing, Forth Bridge

We stopped at Linlithgow, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Below is Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Cathedral. The loch behind the palace is quite beautiful.

 

[calypso726]

Off in the distance we see Stirling Castle

Statue of Robert the Bruce

Rob Roy

The William Wallace monument in the distance

As a major Disney fan girl I’ve always liked the thought of being a princess. However, Queen has a nice ring to it too.

It’s a long way down

After the Stirling Castle visit we went to see the William Wallace monument. It is 246 winding stairs though a very narrow passage way. We made it all the way up even though I am not work out girl, I am read a book girl.

It was bloody windy and cold at the top!!!!

 

[calypso726]

Dinner last night was at The Secret Garden. This is the other restaurant at Witchery by the Castle.

The lamb wellington was really tasty!

Until I took the following pictures I had no idea that there was more detailed artwork in the ceiling besides the scroll work I could see on the beams. Hidden bonus!

Aitor, is from Spain and he is the maitre d. He was simply wonderful and I really enjoyed meeting him! I didn’t think I would be speaking much Spanish while visiting Scotland but I was wrong. Besides Aitor, I met several visitors from other Spanish speaking countries. With all of the tourists from different nations everywhere it’s almost like being in Miami LOL

Blair was our server both at the Witchery restaurant and The Secret Garden

Outside the entrance to The Secret Garden

After dinner we went on the Caddies & Witchery Murder & Mystery tour. It was great fun. I laughed and screamed!

 

[dvc deernut]

Your photos are great. Brings back memories of when I was small spending a couple weeks most summers with relatives in Paisley and Stirling. You could see Wallaces Monument from my cousins house. Been up to the Stirling Castle many times. Do they still have the Lone Piper end the Tattoo? It was always so cool when the Mass pipes would march out and play. Your lucky it was cool. Most places don't have Air conditioning and it has been in the 80s recently. Cant believe you ate HAGGIS My dad hated the stuff.
Did you hear the real version of William Wallace, the Hollywood version of Braveheart was very hollywoodized?

Do you go to Glasow? If you do Paisley is a stones throw from there. I spent many summers as a kid on the buses there.

Well I will look for more of your posts

 

[calypso726]

Your photos are great. Brings back memories of when I was small spending a couple weeks most summers with relatives in Paisley and Stirling. You could see Wallaces Monument from my cousins house. Been up to the Stirling Castle many times. Do they still have the Lone Piper end the Tattoo? It was always so cool when the Mass pipes would march out and play. Your lucky it was cool. Most places don't have Air conditioning and it has been in the 80s recently. Cant believe you ate HAGGIS My dad hated the stuff.
Did you hear the real version of William Wallace, the Hollywood version of Braveheart was very hollywoodized?

Do you go to Glasow? If you do Paisley is a stones throw from there. I spent many summers as a kid on the buses there.

Well I will look for more of your posts

Hi Ian! How cool to have such awesome memories. I am glad you are enjoying the pics! I don't believe the tour goes to Glasgow. We did meet some really great Glaswegians at the Tattoo though. The weather has been quite nice overall. I have heard that Bravehrart got a healthy dose of Hollywood. So far I have liked the versions of haggis that I have tried. I will updating the trip report a bit later if the "wifi gods" permit.

 

[calypso726]

We checked out of The Witchery this morning and then made our way over and checked into the Balmoral for Day 1 of our Brave Adventure

The room is very pretty and the view is way awesome!

We checked in with our guides Hanneke and Zoe. What we thought would be a quick check in turned into a delightful and fun conversation. Before we knew it nearly an hour had gone by and I felt like I found two sisters that I never knew I had. Their passion for Disney is evident; they are both very charming and have a wonderful sense of humor.

Today’s mission was to hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat. I will provide some safety tips and some tidbits I picked up in case anyone else plans to do this on their adventure. I am an OSHA safety professional and a CPR/First Aid instructor in the real world. Apparently while on vacation this knowledge seems to stay home.

If you are asthmatic bring your inhaler. This is a steep climb. If you are not “work out girl” but more like me, “read a book girl” … leaving your inhaler in the room will not help matters should you suffer an asthma attack. Going up the “short way” and realizing that path will not take you to Arthur’s Seat does not help matters. It only means you have to go all the way down and come up the way you were trying to avoid. See me smiling …

Not smiling so much now, still nowhere near the top… I can hear Fred Sanford in my head, “Elizabeth honey, I’m coming to join you.”

Stop and smell the flowers

Enjoy the beauty around you

Stop and rest when you need to and keep resting for just another minute

Ignore the raven that follows you cawing out “Nevermore” as it awaits your eminent demise each time you stop to rest. When your husband, who is clearly in league with the raven, asks, for the 10th time if you are going to make it to the top, simply answer for the 10th time, I will let you know once I get there.

Don’t forget to take a memorable photo once you reach the top of Arthur’s Seat.

Be aware that higher elevations can cause reduced oxygen levels to the brain and may impair judgment.

Don’t forget to hydrate. Bring a bottle of water. If you left the water back at the hotel with your inhaler this can be accomplished with a wee bit of Strongbow afterwards