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Scotland-Ireland

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Itinerary<br />

Land in Edinburgh- Airbnb Leith near the Firth of Forth<br />

09<br />

Start the morning with cappuccino and avocado toast. Local double decker<br />

10<br />

bus to the hop on hop off city tour, Edinburgh castle and a stroll down<br />

Princess Street (Royal Mile) to Holyrood Castle. Home to Mary Queen of Scots and<br />

all that drama that took place there (see the movie). Stopped in gi shops and at<br />

the Tollhouse pub for beers on the way. Visited the castle and grounds. Back to Leith<br />

for dinner in a quaint pub.<br />

Brekkie at Mimi’s and off to Ocean Terminal for tour of Britannia. Parked car<br />

11and took the bus to the city. Popped into Jenner’s Dept. Store and walked<br />

to Oxford Pub, drinking hole of the ficonal and famous Rebus. Strolled to Dean’s<br />

Village. Had a tour of Norma’s childhood neighbourhood, school and flat! Walked<br />

back to Mary King’s Close, 17th century streets hidden under Edinburgh that were<br />

once a breeding ground for the black death. Home to a variety of dinner choices<br />

from Marks’nSparks courtesy of Norma.<br />

Ocean terminal coffee and then headed to Ellon to stay at cousin Lorraine’s.<br />

12Stopped in Cramand, the home of Miss Jean Brodie and ABC (Another Bloody<br />

Castle!). Next stop delicious scones in Scone. Toured the Scone palace, home to<br />

crowning of all the Scosh kings. Home to Dido (see the movie). Glamis Castle<br />

next but it was too late to tour. Stopped in a ny fishing village at the Inverbeverie<br />

Chippery for great fish and chips! Met Lorraine and seled in at Ellon. Norma<br />

presents a Scosh meal with haggis (vegetarian!), neeps and black pudding.<br />

Golf in <strong>Scotland</strong> at Paul Lawrie. Off to Aberdeen Beach for lunch and then<br />

13a walk to Footdee, a ny old fishing village built with thick wall protecng<br />

the homes from the ravages of sea. Went to see the new Downton Abbey movie.<br />

Drove through Aberdeen to an old roman bridge then to an ancient church near the<br />

university. Walked through the ancient graveyard. Home for spags ad wine.<br />

Return to Glamis for the tour. Castle was inspiraon for Shakespeare to write<br />

14Macbeth and was the early home to the Queen Mother, Anne and Elizabeth.<br />

Mary Queen of Scots also spent me there along with a cast other important<br />

historical characters! Looked at a wee Gin Bothy near the castle and bought<br />

some gin as a gi for Lorraine. Enjoyed a pint in a quaint lile coastal town called<br />

Johnshaven and Joanna bought her sweet hat at the gi shop. Stopped at the ruins<br />

of Dunnoar Castle out on the cliffs overlooking the sea but it was closed because<br />

of the winds. Back for dinner with the locals at the hotel in Ellon.<br />

-Went to Ronnie and Nicki’s for coffee then off on a road trip to the highlands<br />

15in search of a highland coo. Beauful countryside. Photos of a huge statue of<br />

Rob Roy then a quick ABC stop - Crathar Castle. Saw a salmon or two climb the falls<br />

at the Falls of Feugh footbridge, just another example of Roman architecture lasng<br />

over the centuries! Lunch in a 1720’s pub in Aboyne called the Boat Inn. Went up to<br />

Balmoral Castle but it was closed. Visited the railway staon used by royalty that has<br />

been converted to restaurant and is owned by Prince Charles. Alas not coo to be<br />

found anywhere! We must return!<br />

Norma drives us to the airport - off to Dublin! Arrive in <strong>Ireland</strong>, the rain clears<br />

16and it was SUNNY unl the last day! Comic taxi driver provides an orientaon<br />

to the Irish! Dropped our luggage and toured Dublin, vibrant city. Went to Trinity<br />

College and saw exhibit on the Book of Kells. The library was most impressive.<br />

Stopped for lunch at a pub and went to the Archaeology Museum. Checked<br />

into our large Airbnb. Went to Murray’s Pub for dinner, music and Celc dance<br />

performances.<br />

Took a walking tour with an excellent guide and backtracked to visit a library<br />

17exhibit of spiritual books aerwards. Went for fish and chips (oldest shop in<br />

Dublin ) and ate on a bench at Trinity Church in the sunshine! Walked back to the<br />

Natural History museum which was recommended to us but found it creepy! Home<br />

for a siesta and then out later to the Temple Bar district. Had a pint at the Stags<br />

Head then dinner at the Elephant and Castle (not impressed). Dropped back into<br />

Murray’s on the way home for a nightcap and more music.<br />

Paddywagon Tours. (Grumpy driver) Drove to Cong (famous for John Wayne<br />

18 film, The Quiet Man) Great squash soup at the Puddle Duck Cafe. Toured<br />

through the Connemara Naonal Park region and to Ashford. Looked at the castle<br />

that is now a hotel for the rich and famous. Arrived at Galway, a town with Spanish<br />

influence, ny European-like pedestrian streets. Adequate BnB, walk to town, to<br />

the waterfront area and out onto the pier. Back to a pub to people watch and listen<br />

to the street performers. Dinner at Italian Restaurant, amazing salad with buffalo<br />

mozzarella and pizza. Nightcap of Irish coffees on our way back to our beckoning<br />

beds.<br />

New driver today named Brian, very funny and informave. First toured the<br />

19Burren area, quite rocky and brown, then saw the contrast of Atlanc Ocean<br />

vistas. Visited the impressive small and then large Cliffs of Moher. As the weather<br />

was calm and sunny we took a boat out to view the cliffs from the sea and later<br />

walked along the top. Toured the Dingle Peninsula then went back to Doolan for<br />

lunch. Home to Fungi the dolphin believed to be a Canadian import! Stayed on the<br />

Dingle Peninsula at Annouscaul House BnB. Invited for dinner and music at the<br />

local pub, the Randy Leprechaun - fun! We had a secret sign of making an L on the<br />

forehead to communicate a leprechaun sighng. There was one in the bar!<br />

Beauful beaches, beehive houses and lunch in Dingle. This was the furthest<br />

20western point of the country. Films made in the area were Ryan’s Daughter<br />

and Far and Away. Drove to Killarney and stayed at another BnB. We took a carriage<br />

ride through the Naonal Park courtesy of Sam, the horse. Then off to warm up<br />

with Irish coffees. We did not have me to visit the town other than a woolen<br />

shop. We enjoyed a dinner of pad thai and salad then saw an excellent Celc dance<br />

performance called “Celc Steps.” We were the only guests who chose to get<br />

dropped off at the pub for some local music and a nightcap.<br />

Back to Dublin, stopped at Blarney castle to kiss the Blarney stone and spent<br />

21me walking through the gardens. We also saw the ruins of Donamase Castle,<br />

another destrucon courtesy of Oliver Cromwell. We parked our baggage and<br />

walked about Dublin, pints in the pub and then had the best burgers ever! Taxi to<br />

hotel, prepared for early flight to London.<br />

Made many aempts to me travel through the stones to find Jamie with<br />

no luck!

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