Dalhousie Castle and Edinbourgh

Bucket List ✅

Our first time to stay in a castle.  We booked a one night's stay in Dalhousie Castle just outside of Bonnyrigg.  It was really cool!  In the basement there was an old dungeon complete with suits of armor and hidden turret staircases.  Our room was very nice with a big bed and robes and slippers to use at our convenience.  This castle had a up to date spa recently built in the basement (next to the dungeon).  We were able to use the facilities which had a foot spa, huge jacuzzi tub, dry sauna, steam sauna, and a room for lounging overlooking the river.  It was a wonderful nights stay!

                                       Our room overlooking the parking lot and gardens.

Ready to go to the spa!

Foot bath

                                                                       Bubbles

                                                                     Relaxation

The dungeon

                                                               Secret passageway

We got to have a full english breakfast int he Orangery Restaurant.

The croissants were so delicious!

After lounging at the castle hotel for the morning we drove into Edinburgh to visit the royal mile.  We only had about thirty five minutes which was NOT enough time but we were able to stop in a couple of woolen mills to pick ups some souvenirs to take home.  I got a couple of scarves and Rick got a tie in his family tartan.  We did have the opportunity to hear someone playing the bagpipes which is something I was hoping for:)

Scott's Tower.  Rick wold have loved to climb to the top but we did not have enough time because we were going over to catch a boat ride on the Firth of Forth.

On the boat ride we were able to ride under the "three bridges".  Each bridge was built in three different centuries.  It was really chilly so we chose to stay in most of the time.  We were on the boat for 90 minutes.  We got to see some seals lounging on an island in the forth.

This marked our last full day in Scotland.  We drove into Glasgow and stayed right next to the airport at the Courtyard.  While we only had a few days to explore Scotland we felt it was a great time, particularly being in the place of Rick's ancestors.  Amazing!