So the big adventure in 2016 was a trans-Atlantic sailing from New York to Southampton, England, and then eight days driving around Scotland.

We spent a half-day in New York and saw ‘The Humans’ on Broadway.  It won the Tony for Best Play and I can certainly see why; it was extremely compelling.

The sail-out from Brooklyn provided another postcard-perfect view of the Manhattan skyline…

 

The crossing was eight days, with a stop in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  There was some rain, but no heavy seas; it was generally uneventful.

On our arrival in the UK, we flew from Southampton to Amsterdam, then on to Edinburgh, Scotland.  After picking up the car – an SUV, actually which was NOT fun to drive on tiny country roads – we made our way to Linlithgow Palace.  This medieval palace was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Like almost all the castles, monasteries, and palaces we visited, it was mostly in ruins.  But it was an outstanding example of Scottish gothic and medieval architecture.

 

 

 

I think the highlight of the three days in the environs of Edinburgh had to be Holyrood Palace.  As I’ve always been fascinated with Mary Queen of Scots, it’s been a must-see.  It did not disappoint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After we finished at Holyrood, we walked up ‘Arthur’s Seat’ for some spectacular views.

 

 

 

 

After Arthur’s Seat, we walked to Edinburgh Castle.

 

 

 

 

The following day, we took a trip to Inchcolm Abbey – a 30-minute boat ride into the Firth of Forth to get to this medieval monastery.

 

 

 

 

Next up – Aberbeen and Inverness…