A Day in Scotland

Can a day in Scotland possibly be enough? Hmmm, even if it starts before 7AM with the sound of bagpipers on the dock welcoming the ship? Just like they have done the last 2 visits here. The first visit this welcome was life changing. For several years I had a recurring nightmare about my childhood home. I watched it being built as a child of 2 years old and we moved in before I turned 3. Several years ago after my mother and my father died, we sold the house to someone who was tearing it down to build a massive structure. Ever since that time I had the same nightmare of wandering around the light gray brick exterior looking for something, either furniture, love, my family, memories, connections but it was nothing but a cold, empty shell leaving me quite distraught when I woke up. But one time when I was having this dream, I heard the sounds of bagpipes getting louder and louder and finally awoke to realize that they were real, the ship had just pulled up to the dock in Greenock. I thought for a moment about the new person I'd become and yes I really was halfway around the world in Scotland, far, far from my childhood and the bagpipes put that nightmare and the old me to rest. Never have I had that nightmare again, never have I felt so alone and lost! And so hearing them this morning was a strong reminder that life can get better and it has! Bagpipes to wake up too, Scotland for a day!

After a quick breakfast I rushed down to get my pass for the ship's tour and was off the ship to enjoy the cool Scottish morning for a while before the people poured off and the bus left. The day was beautiful, much different than the first time I was here. I think the weather must have been nice last year because I don't remember it at all. Do you remember, Diana? So with the sun shining and the cool breeze we headed out from the Glasgow Port to the Falkirk Wheel.

I had no idea what to expect but heard this was an amazing sight. And indeed it was! An engineering feat they say. We boarded a boat and it was in a little lock like area and without even knowing it we were lifted up into the air, about 25 meters, or 84 feet!! We went from one river to another and then across an aquaduct and then through a tunnel and out the other side. We turned around and went back the same way. The feeling of being raised and lowered without really feeling it was quite amazing. The only bad part was that we didn't have time to stay there to see what it looks like from the ground. But now I can say I have been on the Falkirk Wheel. I bought a book about it but am not sure I will even understand it, but it was fascinating just the same!

After that we headed to the town of Stirling. I had been to the castle before so I was looking forward to enjoying the town. I was disappointed, there was shopping, much like any shopping at home. I look for the atmosphere to be different here and I think only the bagpipe player on the street lent it a different feel. It was quite crowded downtown, so many people shopping for Father's day and enjoying the sunshine. It was hot, but not as hot as it has been. I had fish and chips for lunch, nothing special and a pastry and then sat and listened to the bagpipes until time for the bus. The ride back to the ship was an hour and a half and through absolutely beautiful countryside, it made the trip so worth it! The rolling green hills, the charming little homes, the cows and sheep and the beautiful day made it the most pleasant hour and a half of the day. We saw the highlands, our guide said that was a rare sight in summer. Such a charming country!

We arrived back at the ship just about on time so I rushed in to see the Scottish show that was going on in the theatre. What a delight that was! A beautiful violin (fiddle) player, highland dancers dancing the fling and the reels and other musicians to enjoy. And then came the finale, and the bagpipers and drummer came into the theatre from the top, playing as they climbed down the stairs to the stage. Fantastic! And they played a few songs and then Amazing Grace and all of the performers came out and sang Auld Lang Syne, a Robert Burns song. How can one be in Scotland listening to that and not get tears in your eyes. So, so touching!

The show ended and here I am and soon we will be sailing away. I look out the window of the internet cafe to the beautiful green hills of Scotland and watch a family of geese or maybe they are ducks, calmly floating by the window.

A day in Scotland? Not nearly long enough!