South Queensferry Tour

Today is Tuesday and we got off the ship by tender at 7:15 am.  We were met in the South Queensferry Port by our guide for the day, Fraser Gordon and driver, Paul. We traveled in a 50 passenger bus with the quaint town of Culross as our first stop.

Our first visit was to Culross

The stucco on houses is called harling which sealed the stone houses against the weather.  Paint colors are made with natural ingredients like blood (below).

Streets in Culross -- try walking on this for a while....makes the cobblestone streets in Italy look smooth!

Homes in Culross, Scotland

Beautiful Scotland countryside

Al, always looking for the best vantage point to get a picture!

Mailbox in Culross, Scotland

Robert the Bruce (statue above) sent a declaration to the Pope for Scotland to be recognized as independent from England. The Pope declared Scotland's independence. Our Declaration of Independence in the US is based almost word for word on this document.

Our tour bus

Stirling Castle

Fraser Gordon telling our group about highlights of Stirling Castle history

Everyone got the opportunity to be King and Queen in the Great Hall at Stirling Castle --our Cruise Critic friends Dave and Debbie.  We ended up on lots of tours together!

Or....Queen and Queen...Cruise Critic and "Raincoat Twin" Cynde and Melissa

View from the castle

Kitchen at Stirling Castle

Next stop...Callander for lunch

And then a visit to Hamish the highland bull

Hamish is a local legend and tourist attraction -- tour guide Frazer in photo with sign

Loch (lake) Katrine supplies Glasgow with all of its water supply

Soay sheep are small, primitive domestic sheep existing in isolation on a tiny island west of Scotland for more than a thousand years.  They are not sheared because the wool pulls out easily by hand.  The sheep above were on display at the Scottish Wool Center -- our last stop for the day.

Tendering back to the ship

Tommorrow....our last "sea day" and then to Paris on Thursday.

Additional History about the Scotland Clans

There are 5.2 million inhabitants in Scotland. Clan means children and the title of Clan Chief is passed from father to son or daughter. It was important that the chief be a good military leader and if they were not, could be replaced. Many of the Scottish were illiterate and history was passed from father to son so often was embellished and not accurate.  Rob Roy was the head of the MacGreggor Clan.

Tartans

There are 2,500 different tartan plaids in Scotland. Dress tartans are for more formal occasions and are brighter colors – worn with a Prince Charlie short jacket (silver buttons). Hunter tartans are more subdued colors and ancient tartans were made of natural dyes so colors were more dull. A sporan is worn in the front and serves as a “pocket” for men since there are no pockets in a kilt. The kilt takes up to 6 yards of fabric (wool). Tartans are not hemmed and cost around 300 GBP for good quality.

Are you a "True Scotsman"???

If asked “are you a true Scotsman?” that means, “are you not wearing anything under your kilt?” A "True Scotsman" does not wear anything under their kilt.  Highland regiments with the British Army are not allowed to wear underwear. Sergeants go around with a sick that has a mirror on it to look under skirts and if a soldier is wearing underwear they get in trouble.

St. Andrews GolfIt costs 140 GBP to play a round on the old course at St. Andrew. The course is closed on Sunday and becomes a public park.