On Monday we motored up to Edinburgh, stopping at Westmorland Services (http://www.westmorland.com/) for a tasty lunch, sitting looking at the fantastic Lake District scenery with pond and ducks in the foreground.  A very popular place now, with restaurant, farm shop and also selling clothes, children's toys and gifts.  Having said that, they are getting rather expensive, so may perhaps price themselves out of the market.  This would be rather a shame as we're so lucky to have such a great place to stop en route to Scotland, especially as it's more or less half way.
As we were a little early, and it had been a long journey, we stopped off at Castlelaw Hill Fort in the Pentland Hills for a wee walk.  Couldn't walk very far as they were firing but got a taste for the place and will no doubt return as the views were pretty spectacular. (http://www.henniker.org.uk/html/_pentlands_Cas.htm)

Tuesday:  walked into Edinburgh city centre and over to the Scottish Parliament building to view The Great Tapestry of Scotland, which is on display there until 13 September.  After that date it'll be moving down to New Lanark.  The 140 plus panels are well worth seeing. (http://www.scotlandstapestry.com/).  To add to the fun, we added some stitches to a final panel which is to be completed by visitors each sewing a bit, then it'll be permanently on display in Edinburgh.

This is the part of the tapestry which we contributed to, see the leaves on the left hand side.

On the way back home, further up to the Royal Mile, we popped into the  People's Story Museum (free entry), which is well worth a visit: http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/The-People-s-Story.


Wednesday we visited the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland (http://www.nationalgalleries.org/portraitgallery), especially to view the John Byrne Sitting Ducks exhibition, which runs 'til 19 October (http://www.nationalgalleries.org/whatson/exhibitions/john-byrne).

Thursday:  We made our way south again, back to reality after a lovely break.

There was much talk amongst friends and relatives about the forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence.  Views ranged from 'we're well able to run our own affairs, we're a rich country' to 'where will I renew my tax disc?  Will an independent Scotland mean that we have duplicates of all government offices?  And if so, will that increase costs?'  Somehow I do feel that people are not really sure of the ramifications of what they're voting for and will they vote with their heads or their hearts? see: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/scottish-independence-referendum

We've just returned from a weekend in Edinburgh, visiting relatives and generally having fun and relaxing. Here are a few places we visited.



On the way up to Scotland we stopped at Tebay Services.   Here we enjoyed a delicious home-cooked lunch, looking out over the Lake District, followed by a wander round the award-winning farm shop.  There are also shops selling other items such as books, toys and gifts.  It's like no other motorway service area in this country and definitely to be recommended.  Perhaps other service areas will take note!  http://www.westmorland.com/tebay-services

Saturday

We walked down to Stockbridge, a wonderful area full of Edinburgh of charity shops and bought some lovely items.  There are also many small independent shops here and the whole area was very busy with bargain-hunters.  On the way home we were tempted into a wonderful delicatessen, where we bought artisan bread, stuffed olives, cheese, carrot and coriander and soup, smoked fish chowder and a rich chocolate dessert.  Quite a feast!

Holy Corner

Sunday was a damp, chilly day when we just wanted to have a leisurely lunch and chat and Papilio Restaurant suited very well.  
We met my cousin at Holy Corner (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Corner), so called as it's a junction where no fewer than five churches reside, and then wandered up to the popular Bruntsfield area.  
We had set two-course lunch for £9.95, followed by gelato and coffees.  Unfortunately their website seems to be down but here are some reviews  - 
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186525-d1319198-Reviews-Papilio_Restaurant-Edinburgh_Scotland.html


On the way back the to car we passed the house where John Napier the famous astronomer and mathematician lived, after whom Napier University is named. (http://math.about.com/library/weekly/blbionapier.htm)

Aerial view of Tebay Services showing the magnificent countryside

Edinburgh Get-Togethers

 It's raining crochets at the Camera Obscura, Edinburgh

 Front Door 9 May

Heart of Midlothian

somewhere east of Edinburgh, looking north at the Forth