Edinburgh | Stirling | Loch Katrine | Troon
We started in the small seaside village of Troon after sailing the Irish Sea. Troon had a beach and cliff walk that made for a fun little hike. Edinburgh is probably my favorite city for walking around at night (a good way to see local culture). Stirling Castle and the William Wallace Monument were highlights of our entrance to the Highlands, while Loch Katrine had boat rides and fantastic hiking trails. The picture on the right was taken in the Highlands in front of the Kelpies, giant statues representing mythical water spirits that often take the shape of horses.
Edinburgh by Night
Castles and Pubs… oh, my!
We walked past the art museum, up the High Street, and through the Royal Mile. The city is so safe at night, which is a great time to meet locals and avoid touristic crowding.
George Heriot’s School
Inspiration for Hogwarts
J. K. Rowling spent a lot of time writing in Edinburgh; in fact, it’s where she finished The Deathly Hallows. Her children attended George Heriot’s School, which is said to be the inspiration for Hogwarts.
Edinburgh Bank and City Chambers
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is a great place for a walk at any time of the day or night. There are historic buildings at every turn, and old relics are everywhere. European cities like Edinburgh are like open-air museums.
Troon
Seaside town with laidback vibe
After crossing the sea by ferry from Ireland, we needed to stretch our legs before heading into Edinburgh. Troon allowed us to walk along the beach, climb the steep path down to the rocky beach, and spend some time by the water, contemplating life.
Highland Cattle
Animals and agriculture
I took a good many students of agriculture, all involved in 4-H or FFA. Their life’s goal was to see a highland cow in its native habitat. We saw many on the drive, but just outside Edinburgh was a farm that allowed visitors to hike the hill for free to get close to them.
Loch Katrine
Lake in the Scottish Highlands
After driving through Stirling and the Trossachs, we visited Loch (Lake) Katrine. Some of us went hiking to the waterfalls, and some of us took a boat tour for a panoramic view of the Loch. We weren’t disappointed!
William Wallace
Monument to a Knight
William Wallace was a knight from the First Scottish War for Independence, portrayed by Mel Gibson in Braveheart. For us Louisiana flat landers, climbing to the top of the hill to see the monument was tough, especially considering our tight schedule. We made it up within 10 minutes and got some great views.
Stirling Castle
Stone fortress
While this castle peaked in importance back in the 1500s, it’s still used today. It sits on part of the Stirling Sill land formation on a volcanic crag. The castle itself is an immense stone structure with so many parts to explore! We spent a few hours here and still couldn’t see it all.
Inside Stirling Castle
Opulent interior and history
Many of my travelers opted for a guided tour. We saw the courtyard where lions were kept and then let out to ward off unwanted visitors, we learned about royal suits and dresses, and we saw the great hall.
The Traveling Teacher 