EDINBURGH --HAGGIS, CULLEN SKINK, AND A WARM REUNION!

Regal Princess/Edinburgh, Scotland
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Cloudy then Sunny, 56F

Sunrise over Edinburgh, Scotland

We bravely took the tender this morning to Hawes Pier outside Edinburgh. Thankfully Princess Cruises arranged a bus shuttle to run continuously into Edinburgh, about 25 minutes inland, so we immediately jumped on the bus.

This city of 506,000 sure showed off its beauty today, the Edinburgh Castle, the statue of Sir Walter Scott, the Royal Mile, churches, and government buildings standing tall. We had three layers of clothing on, sufficient for the day, and headed to Starbucks for our 4^th souvenir mug and a quick coffee.

Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Belfast

London is already packed

The coffee gave us the energy to walk over six miles today, reminiscent of our travel to Germany in June-July.  Last week we averaged over 6 miles a day, but this week was a little less before today.

Edinburgh Castle atop a "plug"

of an extinct volcano

A Memorial to Sir Walter Scott

Edinburgh

(Ivanhoe, Rob Roy)

Sir Walter Scott

Pasties

Along the Royal Mile

Along the Royal Mile

Edinburgh Castle

View from near Edinburgh Castle

TK was checking out places for lunch while I browsed woolen shops and souvenir shops.  If only we had not missed the Aran Sweater Market in Dublin. We walked most of the Royal Mile up to Edinburgh Castle. Going inside was not on our agenda today, because we had plans later. 

After awhile lunch was indeed on the agenda, so we went to the pub TK had decided on, Beacon Brodies Tavern, which is named after one of the city's most famous sons, Deacon William Brodie – one of the inspirations behind Robert Louis Stevenson's Jekyll and Hyde.  I am not sure if it had the same name, but this pub has been in this location for 150 years.

TK ordered Haggis and Cullen Skink, while I ordered a cheeseburger.  Neither was his favorite, but the haggis was edible because of the gravy. What is haggis? Sheep's heart, liver, and lungs, minced with oatmeal, suet, chopped onion, spices, and salt—now you know.

Deacon Brodies Tavern

Cullen Skink

Smoked fish, potatoes, leeks, milk, flour, 

a sort of soup

Mashed potatoes, carrots, and haggis.

Gravy in the small pitcher.

I don't think he will order that again.

A REUNION!

We easily walked to our bus stop to catch the bus back to the port for a very exciting event.  In 1990 we took a cruise on the Royal Caribbean Sovereign of the Seas—it was TK’s first cruise, and I had to convince him to go.  When we reported to dinner we had been assigned (as the custom at that time) to dine with 5 Scottish lads, all over 21.  They were delightful and we enjoyed their company very much.  They wore kilts on formal nights and had a great time—so charming and so appealing to both young and old alike!

 

Edinburgh--October 3, 2024

TK, Janie, Karen, and Mike

The bridge in the background is a rail bridge

Royal Caribbean Soverign of the Seas--August 1990

Mike on the right 

“Mike I” and his wonderful wife “Karen” met us when we got off the bus---a friendship of 34 years!  It seemed like no time at all had passed.  We talked for several hours, travel and family and Scottish history, foods, British TV shows.  I wondered why the deciduous trees in Great Britain were still green. Answer: it is still early in GB, but they do not have the glorious colors that we do in the Fall. Colors are weather dependent here and not exactly rare, but seldom—like Paul in Orkney said the leaves turn brown and then fall off.

It was hard to leave Mike and Karen behind, and we hope to see them again one day.

TK’s Takes:  When we met Mike and Karen we went to a nearby coffee shop near Hawes Pier. TK had sticky toffee pudding for the 4th time this trip. He said this one was the very best and he would come back for it!  He is calling it STP.

This is what TK sees ...

Sunset over Edinburgh

by Janie