UK & Ireland - Summer 2006

Day 6 - County of Fife, St. Andrew Golf and Parts of Edinburgh by Coach
We planned on touring Edinburgh on foot, but we were able to get a driver to take us around the countryside on day six. He picked us up at the hotel and took us into county Fife across one of the Forth Bridges. We stopped a few places along the way up to St. Andrews Golf Course, where we had lunch. We took some time to wander around the town and do some shopping before heading back to Edinburgh. Our driver, whose name we cannot remember and have decided to call Bob, took us through the city pointing out some places to eat and visit the following day. We called one of the places he recommended, but they could not get us in for dinner so we walked up the street to Scotch Mist. It was selected by the four of us to be the worst meal of the trip, and truly a bizarre experience all around.

Melissa and Tina as we begin our tour of Scotland. The Forth Rail Bridge, named for the river it crosses. The rail bridge was the first major steel bridge in the world. Much like the Golden Gate Bridge, this bridge is always being painted, as the painted area adds up to 135 acres. The bridge connects North and South Queensferry.
Brad, Tina, "Bob" and Chris at our stop in South Queensferry. The town of South Queensferry and the second bridge, a road bridge. This suspension bridge, built in 1964, was the largest outside of the USA until recently. South Queensferry was named for the fact that Queen Margaret would use the ferry from this port to go from Edinburgh to Dunfermline, the one time capital of Scotland. The Scottish countryside on our way through the Lowlands.
Image of a small town as we drive on. The girls entrance was on the other side. Many of the houses along the way had front gardens full of flowers. Elie - a stop to take in the coast line. It may look overcast, but it did not rain on this trip.
The coastline and lighthouse at our second stop along the way. It was very nice to be away from all the tourist packed areas for awhile. The boats all lined up with the town of Elie in the background. The North Sea? Melissa walking along the break wall.
More of the calm that was Elie. They do have a beach in Elie - you can see it in the distance, past the boats. All you could wish to know about Elie. Tina and Brad on the break wall. Chris, Melissa, Tina and Brad. Photo by "Bob".
The road ahead. A lone windmill along the coast. Our next stop, Anstruther - which is part of East Neuk. Economy resting in the harbor. A tiny boat waits in low tide.
Anstruther is the birth place of the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe. All the boats lined up in the harbor. Another calm visit after a very busy London. Melissa walking along the harbor. The Scottish Fisheries Museum - it is bigger than you think. We however did not investigate the claim.
The brick walk along the harbor. Tina and Brad walking along in Anstruther. The crest above the Scottish Fisheries Museum. Back on the road and the town of St. Andrews. The Old Course Hotel at St. Andrews, where we stopped to eat.
The flags flying at the golf course. The town of St. Andrews and the club house. You can also see the stone bridge by the 18th hole. Golfers out enjoying the day. Brad with the stone bridge and the club house. Brad at the 18th hole.
St. Andrews club house and another clock. Melissa and Chris at St. Andrews. Brad and Tina at St. Andrews. The streets of St. Andrews. St. Andrews is Scotland's oldest university town.
Not sure what this building was, but it was along one of the main streets in St. Andrews. It appears to have been some sort of Cathedral. Still not a very busy town, as far as the tourist feel. This just looks cool, standing as best it can. I think it is an Abbey. Looking up the street, waiting for "Bob"
Back in the car on our way out of St. Andrews. The Scottish flag is flying high. The stone houses that make up the town. The ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral. This was once the largest cathedral in Scotland - the stones were then taken to help build the town.
We had to circle the block twice and pull open the door to get the photos. Looking out through the sun roof at a stone archway. Still through the sun roof the crumbling archway. A historic home outside of the town. The house was closed for the day when we arrived.
The victorian garden that while we were incouraged to leave was very pretty to look at. It would have been a wonderful place to just sit and rest. A decorative wall on the property. Melissa standing on the stone wall to look into the garden. The garden and the scottish landscape.
The perfect Range Rover client with his hunting dog. Wild flowers growing along the roadway. The Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh as we re-enter the city. The streets of Edinburgh. The block where we are staying.
The location of our hotel.