Scotland

We spent 6 days traveling the lowlands of Scotland. The weather was absolutely fabulous. I had mentally prepared for rain, wind, and cold.  We had blue skies every day.  It was incredible.  

 Bryan did an excellent job driving on the left side of the road.

 Our first stop was Stirling.  We climbed up the William Wallace Monument and enjoyed the beautiful views.  The museum had some fun puzzles for the kids to put together while we took turns hiking to the tippie top.

 We then went to the Stirling castle and had beautiful views of the monument, the city, and the castle.

 Stirling Castle

 Bryan and Jane on the old bridge in Stirling.  

 After leaving Stirling, we checked out The Kelpies.  I think they are the largest sculptures of horses? Kind of a fun to see,...

 but the playground near by was the coolest!

 The next day we hiked Arther's Seat and toured Edinburgh.  

 Mommy on the top!

 Kate and Jane watching mommy hike to the top from a different part of the mountain. 

Beautiful views and good rock throwing.

 Listening to the bagpipes on 'The Royal Mile'

 Edinburgh Castle

Afterwards, we picked up Grandma and Grandpa Koplin to continue on with our awesome adventures. 

We continued on to the Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond.  There was a farmers market, shopping, and another awesome playground.  We then hired a double canoe and paddled on the lake.  The life vests fit Kate and Jane perfectly, without complaints.  Definitely need those for our kayaks!

 Loch Lomond

 Mom

 We drove to our airBNB and caught a wonderful sunset.  My dad took a million pictures.

The next day we set out to the Isle of Arran.  Surprisingly, the island is very lush and green near the waters edge.  Palm trees and beautiful ferns growing everywhere. 

My parents and I hired bikes and rode around the island.  We passed castles, cheese factories, breweries, and beautiful rocky beaches.  

 Bryan and the girls played on the beaches and playgrounds nearby.  

Our last adventure in Scotland was Hadrian's Wall- which is technically in the northern part of England.  The Roman's built it to keep the hooligan Scottish off their side of the country, for they had little desire for anything north of the wall.  It stretches 80 miles- coast to coast- across the United Kingdom.

We were able to walk on part of the wall that is permitted for foot traffic.  The countryside was beautiful and covered with sheep and their little lambs.

 The area we were in has the best preserved Roman toilets! Bahaha!

 And the girls enjoyed climbing all over- as it was permitted.  Most of the Roman ruins (or ruins in general) that we have visited, you aren't allowed to climb.  But I think Hadrian's Wall is not a HUGE tourist attraction, plus it is in the middle of nowhere! Then we headed off the the airport to fly to Dublin for our Ireland experience.