Edinburgh Yarn Festival 2019
It was a fantastic, fun-filled trip! I enjoyed every minute! Mavis G. March 2019
The tour was a wonderful time. I enjoyed the sights of Edinburgh with Marci and Amy...I like that I had the freedom to make my own schedule and to join the group as I wanted. Maryann D. March 2019
The tour was a wonderful time. I enjoyed the sights of Edinburgh with Marci and Amy...I like that I had the freedom to make my own schedule and to join the group as I wanted. Maryann D. March 2019
DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 - EDINBURGH ARRIVAL
What a lovely day to arrive in Edinburgh - the snow of two days ago was gone, the sun was out and the daffodils were blooming! We were met at the airport by our friend and guide Adriana Boffa. There we got on our bus and headed into town for a city tour including the Old and New Towns, Princes Street, Calton Hill, and the Royal Mile, learning about Edinburgh's history and architecture.
What a lovely day to arrive in Edinburgh - the snow of two days ago was gone, the sun was out and the daffodils were blooming! We were met at the airport by our friend and guide Adriana Boffa. There we got on our bus and headed into town for a city tour including the Old and New Towns, Princes Street, Calton Hill, and the Royal Mile, learning about Edinburgh's history and architecture.
Our first stop was the lovely Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British royal family in Scotland and principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scotland since the 16th century. We visited the Historic Apartments of Mary Queen of Scots and the site of the brutal murder of her secretary, David Rizzio. We took a walk through the Abbey ruins dating back to 1128 and King David I.
Then off to Calton Hill for a hike up the 41 steps to a stunning 360 degree view of the city and surrounding areas.
VIEW OF EDINBURGH FROM CALTON HILL
Then our last stop of the day, the historic Edinburgh Castle with its stunning views and amazing history. Located on Castle rock, towering over the city of Edinburgh, it is one of the most important strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland. A castle has been located on this site since the time of King David I in the 12th century. Although most of the buildings today do not pre-date the 16th century, the oldest building in Edinburgh, St Margaret's Chapel, is located here as well as the famous Scottish Crown Jewels.
ST. MARGARET'S CHAPEL, EDINBURGH CASTLE, CONSTRUCTED IN THE 12TH CENTURY AND THE OLDEST SURVIVING BUILDING IN EDINBURGH
We then checked into our lovely 4-star hotel, the Hilton Grosvenor in Edinburgh's West End, a 2-minute walk to the Haymarket train station and bus stop that heads directly to the Corn Exchange and EYF. But more importantly, just down the street from one of Marci's favorite restaurants - First Coast, where we set out to next - several of us tried haggis for the first time and the verdict - not bad! What a lovely way to end the day!
MARCI AND ANDRU SHARE THEIR HAGGIS
DAY 2: THURSDAY, MARCH 21 - EDINBURGH YARN FESTIVAL, PARLIAMENT, DOVECOT STUDIO, SHOPPING ON THE ROYAL MILE Edinburgh is such a beautiful city! While some of us headed over to the Edinburgh Yarn Festival, some of us took a stroll down the Royal Mile to the Parliament Building - the symbolism here is amazing!
VIEWS ALONG THE WAY...
Some amazing organ playing at St. Giles Cathedral.....
Then a hike up Salisbury Craigs to get a better view of the top of the Parliament building and the rest of the city.
Then a hike up Salisbury Craigs to get a better view of the top of the Parliament building and the rest of the city.
From there onto the charming Dovecot Studio, famous for their tapestries and gun-tufted rugs commissioned from around the globe, and located in a renovated Victorian pool building. Here we had a lovely lunch and tour of the Orla Kiely exhibit with a viewing from the balcony of the tapestry weavers in action.
Then a stroll and underground tour at Mary King’s Close, a wee bit of shopping along the Royal Mile, followed by a lovely dinner at Tiger Lily and a magical stroll in the moonlight, then off to bed!
DAY 3: FRIDAY, MARCH 22 - EDINBURGH YARN FESTIVAL, ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA, ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
Oh, another lovely day at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival! While several headed over to the Corn Exchange for classes and shopping, some of us hopped on the bus and headed out to Leith for a wonderful morning aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. Several world leaders have been on board, including Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Rajiv Gandi. The ship has been home to Her Majesty the Queen and Royal Family for over 40 years and has sailed over 1,000,000 miles around the world. We toured all 5 decks, including the Sun Lounge, Queen's Bedroom, State Dinning and Drawing Rooms as well as the Royal Marines' barracks, sick bay and engine room - the engine room is cleaner than our kitchens! Over 95% of all items on board are the originals. The lunch in the tea room was delightful, Marci loved the Cullen Skink!
Then back on the bus and over to the world renowned scientific center for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, the Royal Botanical Gardens. The gardens were founded in 1670 and cover over 70 beautifully landscaped acres. Ten glass houses are open to the public including the Victorian Temperate Palm House and Windows on the World, a glasshouse experience exploring 10 distinct climatic zones. What a glorious way to spend a March afternoon! We toured through the special exhibit featuring the finalists for the Fourth Cordis Award, a prestigious international award in contemporary tapestry weaving - wow! And then through the green houses - another wow!
Then after a quick run home, off to the Ceilidh at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival for dinner and dancing - oh what fun!
ELIZABETH AND RICHARD DANCING THE DASHING WHITE SARGEANT
DAY 4: SATURDAY, MARCH 24
EDINBURGH YARN FESTIVAL, NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND
Well, another busy day at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival! While some of our travelers went off to classes, and some went back to the knitting market for those last minute purchases, the rest of us kept busy in town. Our first visit, which for some of us took up most of the day, was the amazing National Museum of Scotland. This is such a wonderful museum, full of collections relating to Scottish antiquities, culture and history. There is always a fabulous fashion show on display, and this year there was a special children's tapestry exhibit from the 18th and 19th centuries - a beautiful insight on the lives of children during this time. Marci was particularly excited to see the St. Ninian’s artifacts from St. Ninian’s Isle in Shetland that she and Amy visit every year. Marci, being a Celtic Harper, also enjoyed seeing the Queen Mary and Lamont harps.
EDINBURGH YARN FESTIVAL, NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND
Well, another busy day at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival! While some of our travelers went off to classes, and some went back to the knitting market for those last minute purchases, the rest of us kept busy in town. Our first visit, which for some of us took up most of the day, was the amazing National Museum of Scotland. This is such a wonderful museum, full of collections relating to Scottish antiquities, culture and history. There is always a fabulous fashion show on display, and this year there was a special children's tapestry exhibit from the 18th and 19th centuries - a beautiful insight on the lives of children during this time. Marci was particularly excited to see the St. Ninian’s artifacts from St. Ninian’s Isle in Shetland that she and Amy visit every year. Marci, being a Celtic Harper, also enjoyed seeing the Queen Mary and Lamont harps.
And finally, Marci and Amy finally got over to the fashion show - they had just been having too much fun in town! We had a lovely visit with the amazing Oliver Henry, Patron of Shetland Wool Week 2019, to see his new hat design. And then on to see Marie Wallin, who pretty much had sold out of most of her yarn - certainly makes for an easier pack-up!
Then back to our hotel, a lovely last group dinner at the wonderful First Coast, and then a bit of show and tell before off to bed.
DAY 5: SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2019 - BLACKNESS CASTLE, LINLITHGOW PALACE, KELPIES, FALKIRK WHEEL, CULROSS VILLAGE
Well, our last day in Scotland was spectacular! We were all back together on the bus and headed north out of town to tour various historic sites, several of them featured on the TV series 'Outlander'. We started the day with a visit to Queensferry Village, dating back to the 11th century, where we were able to get a great view of all 3 bridges going over the Firth of Fourth.
Well, our last day in Scotland was spectacular! We were all back together on the bus and headed north out of town to tour various historic sites, several of them featured on the TV series 'Outlander'. We started the day with a visit to Queensferry Village, dating back to the 11th century, where we were able to get a great view of all 3 bridges going over the Firth of Fourth.
From there we headed over to Blackness Castle, a 15th century fortress built on the south shore of the Firth of Forth by Sir George Crichton. Known as 'the ship that never sailed' due to it's long narrow shape jutting out into the Forth, it has functioned as a State prison and munitions storage, with such famous prisoners as Cardinal Beaton and the 6th Earl of Angus (as well as Jamie Frasier in the Outlander Series!).
Linlithgow Palace was a principal residence of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries and served as a great stopping place while traveling between Edinburgh and Sterling Castles. It was the birthplace of several monarchs, including Mary Queen of Scots.
After a lovely lunch, we headed over to see the Kelpies, passing the last remains of the Antonine Wall from Roman times on our way. The Kelpies, completed in just 90 days on site by Andy Scott in 2013, were just amazing! They are the largest equine sculpture in the world, built of steel. Modeled after two Clydesdale horses, Baron and Duke, they represent both the heavy work that these horses performed in Scotland during the 19th and 20th century, and the heavy industry of steel, in which they are made.
THE KELPIES
Echo the great beasts that work among us
Unbridled in this kingdom between Canal and Firth,
Here to harness the river, carry each weary traveler.
Bow down your strong heads to taste the water
Stretch up your long necks to face the sun...
Jim Carruth
Echo the great beasts that work among us
Unbridled in this kingdom between Canal and Firth,
Here to harness the river, carry each weary traveler.
Bow down your strong heads to taste the water
Stretch up your long necks to face the sun...
Jim Carruth
From there we headed over to the Falkirk Wheel. Opened in 2002, it is the only rotating boat lift in the world. It links the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. We were just in time to see a barge load and rotate around - wow!
Then onto the charming Royal Burgh of Culross. Considered one of the most picturesque villages in Scotland (and used often in filming, including 'Outlander'), it is the most complete example of a burgh of the 17th and 18th centuries. White-harled houses with red-tiled roofs line the steep cobbled streets.
We took a lovely stroll up to Culross Abbey, a former Cistercian Abbey, and still used as the local parish by the Church of Scotland. The Abbey, founded in 1217 and first colonized by monks from Kinloss Abbey, was built over earlier Pictish Church ruins from the 6th century. Culross was believed to have been chosen as the site for this Abbey since it was the birthplace of St Mungo, founder and patron Saint of Glasgow.
On our way home we stopped by to see the home of JK Rowling, the White House - she didn’t seem to be expecting us. And then back to our hotel, for a quick bite at a local pub, and off to bed! We will miss all of our new friends, and Scotland!
DAY 6: MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2019 - DEPARTURE
After an early morning stroll through Dean Village, we boarded our bus and headed to the airport for our various flights home - farewell to Edinburgh, we sure had a great time!
After an early morning stroll through Dean Village, we boarded our bus and headed to the airport for our various flights home - farewell to Edinburgh, we sure had a great time!
What made the trip so enjoyable was the wonderful people on the tour...Amy and Marci, you plan wonderful trips! Mavis G. March 2019
A great group of people to travel with and I found new friends, thank you for your leadership and I would love to do it again! Maryann D. March 2019
A great group of people to travel with and I found new friends, thank you for your leadership and I would love to do it again! Maryann D. March 2019