April 19, 2024
Today I am off to explore a few towns outside of Edinburgh. The sun is shinning as I walk from old town to new town to catch my shuttle. I have walked the city much that I can almost navigate without GPS!!!
Shortly after leaving the city we were in the rolling hills of Scotland! Our first stop was the small fishing town of Fife. Located on the shore of the North Sea it is a quaint village that was easy to explore in the 30 minutes we were given. Even managed to get a gin tasting in!!
Next was St. Andrews the namesake of the patron saint of Scotland. When St.Andrew was crucified he felt he was not worthy of a cross so they used and X. The white X that part of the Scottish flag is in his honor.
First I explored the ruins of St.Andrews Chapel which was the largest in Scotland at one point and is nestled on a cliff overlooking the North Sea.
As I walked down one of only 3 major streets I came across the coffee shop where Kate and William used to meet for coffee that is very close to St. Andrews University. The campus of the University is beautiful!!
At the end of North Street is the old links of St. Andrews which is where golf was invented. It is a spectacular site and with the winds coming from the sea I can understand how challenging it is. I got a chance to golf the 9 hole putting greenâ¦.so I am claiming that I golfed St. Andrews. I am so excited by my driver cover that looks like my dog Marley that I miss so much.
The white sand beach near the course was used in the film Chariots of Fire. I imaged the runners on the beach while the theme song plays in my head.
After 3 hours out in the wickedly cold wind I was happy to rebound the shuttle and be off to the town of Falkland.
This little town became famous as one of the sites where Outlander was filmed. If you are an Outlander fan do you recognize the fountain?
The Falkland castle has undergone substantial restoration. As I climbed the steep steps in the tower rooms I wondered how the women did that in the dress of the day!!!
Back in the city I headed back to the hotel and of course there was a bagpiper!!
Exhausted and cold I was happy to get back to the hotel and replay the day as I reviewed the pictures of another âBest day ever so farâ
Tomorrow I am off on an adventure to explore the movie sites used in Outlander, one of my favorite shows. Maybe I will be able to transport myself to the past.
It looks like you’re having fun. We’ll be there in a few months and I’m enjoying a preview. When my dad way dying, he told us that he would be fine because he had met his three main goals. First, he had been married to the love of his life. Second, he had caught his award-winning marlin. Finally, he had golfed St. Andrews. (No mention of his four successful children. LOL. But then he also didn’t mention turning a patio pouring business into a multi-million-dollar masonry company either. I guess we all have our priorities.)
I’m thoroughly enjoying your trip. How wonderful to have these written (well written) accounts when your travel days are over…if that ever happens. Didn’t realize you were an Outlander fan. Me too.