Edinburgh, Scotland

 Ikram and I were given train tickets and accommodation to Edinburgh which Ismahan insisted that I must visit as that was where she started her studies. Thus, Edinburgh was very close to her heart and she wanted me to see the place for myself. I loved it. Edinburgh is divided into two -  namely the old and new Edinburgh. The old one consists of old buildings, cobbled stone roads, castles, large sprawling gardens which we did not get to see the splendour of its blooming flowers as it was the end of winter. We walked all over the town. The old part retains its old buildings but they are turned into commercial purposes.

Museums are free and fantastic. One can spend hours in the museum. Large old buildings which are converted into multi level exhibit areas yet retaining the grandeur of the building. There was also a museum on money - Museum on the Mound. It was having an exhibit of how much a million pounds consisted in twenty pounds notes. Sure was a whole display box of them!!! Ikram had this crazy idea to catch the sunrise at 6:05am over the bridge that overlooked the sea. It was freezing cold but worth it.

There were quite a few castles all over the town. We only went to Edinburgh castle due to constraint of time. We saw many Asians and other ethnics besides the British/Scottish. It took some time to get used to their English that although I taught the language, the dialects and pronunciation of some words were quite foreign.

We took the train - very fast and quiet. It passed by grazing fields as far as the eyes could see with big, fat lazy white and black sheep lazing and grazing in them. We could see the boundaries between each owned field marked by huge stones arranged and put up to form them. It reminded one so much of "Little House on the Prairie". Enjoy the photos below ...

Edinburgh Waverly train station

National Museum of Scotland is four floors up with a basement which has a cafe, souvenir shop and toilets

The basement of the museum

Entrance into the National Museum of Scotland is through the basement first




Museum on the Mound


Scottish National Gallery - an Art Gallery