After arriving to Edinburgh by train, we checked into our hotel early (at a cost of ten pounds extra of course), and then headed up to the Royal Mile. We were quickly drawn into a shop on Princes Street that specialized in making and renting kilts. Liam has always wanted a McLauchlan tartan kilt. So after a bit of digging the clerk found us about four options to choose from. I was relieved to find that the store did NOT offer the black and yellow version of the McLauchlan tartan (or "bumbee" version as my Granny T. likes to call it). Liam was fitted for his kilt in no time (picture below is not his kilt or tartan, just a sample for fitting purposes). I was a little horrified when Liam asked the lady to put on extra long straps at the wasit, so he would have some "room to grow". Isn't that sort of like a bride asking the dress shop to put a few more inches in their wedding dress?!? I quickly intervened, before the shop lady had to say something she would regret. We ended up buying a kilt, socks, sock flashes, jacket, sporran, kilt pin, sgian dubh, cuff links, belt buckle, and belt. Once the kilt is made, it should all be shipped off to Canada, arriving in about 8 weeks. This pretty much means Liam will be wearing his kilt to most, of not all family functions. Watch out Pister! He's super excited for your wedding!
Next stop was an outdoor market, held on the grounds of a church. I was quickly drawn to a jewelery stand were I purchased a Tree of Life pendant. There is a pic below of the stall I bought it from. We wandered back up Princes Street, eventually making it up to the Royal Mile. We were tired of walking and climbed aboard several "come and go" double decker tour buses that provided great tours of The Royal Mile, Old and New Edinburgh. We hopped off to visit a few stores I had spotted earier, including a fabulous hat store were I almost bought a Fascinator (because really who knows when I might get an invitation to a royal wedding?) We also visited a candy store, and gift shop that I thought was called "The Dogs Balls", but was actually called "The Mutts Nuts", but really, what's the difference. We also popped into a jokes store, because I thought it had a funny name "AHAHAHA Jokes". I was curious to see what it would sound like when they salesperson answered the phone, and sure enough the phone rang! Between the weird store name and her scottish accent, she sounded like she was coughing, "AGAHAGHGGAHGA jokes and novelties, Megan speaking".
Pooped, we jumped on the bus, and headed back to the hotel. We stopped at a restaurant near our hotel, and enjoyed a dinner that included Haggis, with neeps and tattties before eventually going back to room to crash. Later that evening at 10:30 sharp we were awoken (yes we were asleep- you've read what we did today!) by the sounds of canons, and drums, as the Tattoo started their performance up at Sterling Castle. It made me wish I didn't have to wait until the 24th of August to see the show!
Looking forward to what tomorrow holds!
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