Isles and Trials

Tag: travel

  • Shetland

    Shetland

    I took the overnight ferry to Shetland. I couldn’t convince any others in the family to join me. I originally thought I would bring my bike. There were marked bike routes. Then maybe I’d hire a bike. It was foggy and hilly when I got there. (It’s probably been hilly for some time.) So I aborted the bike idea (it would have taken me a LONG time to cover the 25 miles to Sumburgh to see the lighthouse.

    I really thought the island would be a lot more deserted – but it was kind of bustling. (And there are only like 2 roads so that made things a bit more trafficky on those routes.)

    Here is a video with a bunch of highlights.

  • Manual transmission!

    Manual transmission!

    Scary! But done!

  • Crathes Castle

    Crathes Castle

    A different flavor of castle! This one was apparently occupied until around 1950. They have a a ParkRun here! It also has a lovely garden – hope to be back there in spring when more of the plants are in bloom.

  • The Firth of Forth

    The Firth of Forth

    I was really into bridges as a kid. It is cool to go over this truss bridge (once the longest of its type in the world) and see a suspension bridge (that was also once the longest outside the US). ScotRail trains have fairly dirty windows.

  • Touristy stuff in the capital

    Touristy stuff in the capital

    We saw the Edinburgh castle. There is a ton of history to see here. I think the social connections only allow the “featured” photo through so if you can’t see the other pictures here – be sure to head to the site islesandtrials.org .

    American flag graffiti carved into prison door at Edinburgh Castle

    I feel some complicated feels about how we owe the American ideal of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to a lot of people (including some imprisoned here way back.) Hopefully the pursuit of happiness will return to favour soon.

    More info on the graffiti
    The Great Hall, Edinburgh Castle

    Other fascinating or cool stuff here includes the Crown Jewels (photography not allowed), the history of Scottish involvement in many wars, the history of the various takeovers of the castle, and the tremendous views of the city.

    I kept saying you can see a bit of the Firth of Forth rail bridge from here – and while I was obsessed with bridges as a kid – my kids were thoroughly umimpressed https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forth_Bridge

  • Fraserburgh Lighthouse

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