Edinburgh, Day 2

Joan fed us all up with a big breakfast and then marched us out of the hotel for the day.  The sun was splitting the heavens and it turned out to be a very warm day, no idea of the temp in F but it was 25C and toasty.  First stop for a photo was at St. Giles cathedral.  We then decided we should take a bus tour around the city and let the children see all the hot spots. 

 Headed back in the direction of our hotel (this was the view from the lobby) and started our tour. 

This turned out to be one of the very few photos I snapped of Holyrood House (the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh).  We couldn't get any closer that day as a member of the Royal Family was in residence.  

Salisbury Crags

 Above and below are the Scottish Parliament buildings. 

 One of our "must sees" in Edinburgh was Greyfriar's Bobby. 

I'm not sure who this is, but the photo was by Chloe.  Castle in the background. 

After we did 2 laps on the bus tour (we don't like to miss anything!) we got off at Princes Street.  First stop on walking tour: Princes Street Gardens. 

 Cole was fascinated on the bus tour as, in addition to the audio channel that gave a commentary on the areas of interest, there was also a channel called "Horrible Histories".  It told tales of people being tortured and hanged, murdered or beheaded.  We had to walk down to the area that was notorious for having its graves robbed. 

Then over to see Bobby, up close. 

And on to the "birthplace of Harry Potter" as it proclaims itself.  This is the cafe where Jo Rowling started to write Harry Potter. 

We walked back to the Royal Mile (Cole was on a mission to buy Edinburgh Rock) and the girls tried on hats. 

Past John Knox's house. 

And up George Street. 

Finally, we made it back to the Royal Mile, just in time to catch the last of the sun at St. Giles, before we found somewhere for dinner.