We flew with Mike, Ed and Val, and Val thought we were all meeting up with Kate on Monday for a nice dinner.
Mart and I stayed in Ayr on the Sunday night in a lovely B&B, and got up early for a walk along the beach before breakfast.
We then got a lift to Alan's flat in Edinburgh, where we all met up with Kate and their grandparents. Kate and I went shopping for sandwiches and we all had lunch, and then Mart, Mike, Kate and I went shopping to get the drinks for Birkhill and then got lost trying to get there!!
We met Val and Ed at Birkhill and had tea and scones, a short walk in the grounds, grouse spotting, and then changed for dinner. Val's friends and family arrived and waited in the lounge and when Val came in she was definitely surprised..... It was a very hard secret to keep, but it worked out wonderfully.
We had a lovely three course dinner, and then danced to the ceilidh band.
The next morning we all had a full breakfast and then went for another walk, took photos and people left at their leisure, with us leaving at about midday.
Val, Ed, Mike, Kate, Marty and I then went to Callander, to a pub called the Lade Inn, for lunch, and then Marty, Kate and I took the train to Edinburgh from Stirling. Val and Ed went to the airport and Mike went off to climb Ben Nevis.
Marty and I checked into The Balmoral, and Kate into her hotel, and then we went out for several drinks in the New and Old towns. After popping to the chippy for a haggis supper, we went back to our hotels.
I know The Balmoral is quite exclusive, but even so, I was very impressed with the room, the service, the facilities etc. It was a really delightful experience. On Wednesday morning we were up at 6 and used the pool and steam room, before ordering chocolate dipped strawberries from the "Bath Butler", to have with our bottle of champagne.
We then met Katie for breakfast in the "Standing Order", and some shopping. We all went to their grandparents flat and took them to the "Club", where I was told the amazing history of how the club was built and how Martin's grandpa was responsible for starting it all. Then, more shopping along The Royal Mile, even stopping in both year round Christmas shops, and the Fudge shops. We had a baked potato from the aptly named "Baked Potato Shop" for lunch, and then took Kate to get her coach to Glasgow.
Marty and I did some more shopping, collected our bags and booked in at the Cairn hotel. We fell straight to sleep at 8pm!!
On Thursday we got up at 6.30, had breakfast and then climbed to Arthur's Seat. Only 250m high, but a fair old climb!!! After our descent we continued to shop along The Royal Mile, and had a look at Queen Mary's Bathroom, the new Scottish Parliament and the 3D Loch Ness exhibition. We had lunch at Monster Mash, (Haggis, Neeps & Tatties), and I then got my hair cut in "Medusa". More shopping followed, as did a few pints in different pubs, and we were going to look round the castle, but it was very expensive to get in and there wasn't much time left. Back to the hotel to change and for a quick coffee at the "Elephant House", where the first Harry Potter book was written. Then out to a restaurant in the Old Town, as the menu was traditional Scottish fare, but it was not really that great, although the location was perfect for the 10pm Terror Tour that we went on!!!! After the tour we went to a couple of pubs, and then we stopped at the Fish and Chip shop on the way back to the hotel where we had chips, and Marty had a deep fried Mars bar, which he thoroughly enjoyed!!!!
Friday we got up, had breakfast and took the train to Glasgow. We joined up with Kate, Gav and Ken, and they showed us the University, which is very impressive, and then we went to the Art Gallery and Museum, and saw the exhibition of Kylie dresses. Actually very interesting and amazing.
We all went to The Goat for lunch, and a friend of Katie's, Angela, from school met us for a coffee. Marty and I then took the train to Prestwick, and flew back on the late night flight.
We are both so tired, and have eaten far too much, and spent far too much, but have both had a wonderful week.
