Day 58 Greenock, Scotland

Day 58 Greenock, Scotland  

Last night after watching the stage production (which just happened to be the best one yet-Classically Yours) Paul and I walked the Promenade Deck before retiring to bed. It was one of the most unusual nights we have experienced sailing to date. It was an extraordinarily mild night with little breeze, and the sun was still high over the horizon as it reflected a path of silvery gold across the water. Yesterday the North Sea was calm; a glass like surface most of the day, as the ship made its way past the Shetland Islands and Northern Scotland. One stage I saw a seal bop its head out of the water to look at the ship as it passed.

We docked early in Greenock, but our tour bus didn't collect us till 8am, which enabled us to prepare for the day in a more leisurely pace. We headed to Edinburgh to see the views from Arthur's Seat. I am still amazed at the greens here in England and Scotland, they are certainly different from Australia. Everything is green. Hills, mountains, pastures, road verges, gardens, buildings…..yes that is right, green statues and buildings! There are lots of white swans to be seen, and tartans of all colours.

After Arthur's Seat we travelled to virtually its base to visit the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, Holyroodhouse. The Palace is across from the new Parliament House of Scotland. We had a lovely 95 minutes touring the historic rooms and magnificent State Apartments. Photos are not permitted inside the Palace, so unfortunately I haven't any to insert. Though the remains of the Abbey are interesting.

The Scottish Museum was supposed to be our next stop; however we all agreed we would prefer to spend the rest of the day at Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Great change of plans. Tradespeople were in the process of erecting the seating in the Castle Esplanade for the Tattoo which will be held next month. We had about a 45minute wait in line to get our entry tickets but the wait was worth it. Some of the points of interest were the cannons (batteries), various houses in the walls, St Margret's Chapel, the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Royal Palace, Great Hall, Prisons of War and the Scottish National War Memorial.

We were fortunate the rain held off for all the time we were in Scotland. It didn't rain till the ship was sailing down the Clyde on its way to Ireland. Before the ship left the wharf, a Scottish Pipe band played all the favourite Scottish Tunes.