A Wee Adventure in Bonnie Scotland--Edinburgh & St. Andrews

A mighty fortress is Edinburgh Castle

This dog's name was Burn, who was a vagabond dog in San Diego.  Edinburgh gave San Diego, its sister city, a stature of the beloved Greyfriars, Bobby, (below), who stayed by his master's grave for 14 years.  You'd have to type in "Greyfriar's bobby to get the full scoop on it. 

Greyfriar's Bobby, the loyal dog of Edinburgh.  Apparently, research into history ruins the delightful tales.  Part of it was true.  I still think he was an awesome dog.

1832 modeled and cast in bronze later. 

Very important to walk the Royal Mile if you go to Edinburgh, so you can say you did (all the shops and action)

See?  We both did it!!

Looking for a Patterson or Paterson (Sister Blain's surname)--this is what the tartan looks like.  They were a small clan that aligned itself with the MacLaren Clan, and probably Patrick MacLaren had a son and named him Patterson, which means son of Patrick.  There is a lot to find on the Internet.  They left Scotland and went to Northern Ireland in the area we found Patterson's Spade Mill (will post pictures later on that).

Also, a Brennan (Married a Patterson).  No tartan, but a crest.  They may have also gone to Ireland.  Lots of research to do.

He is really working for his wages.  It looks uncomfortable and difficult to keep playing all day.  It is a wonder he didn't faint!

Can't miss the flowers!!

This "statue" is a real man. (money please?)

Lots of people and lots of characters doing various things to advertise the hundreds of entertainers for the various shows going on throughout the week.  The Fringe is a huge festival.

These were the Icon characters advertising The Fringe this year.  I should have bought and outfit and paraded around as the blue blob (you know, all that gravy in England)

Downtown Edinburgh

Witches were common throughout the U.K.  Lots of stories.

Woolen mill where they make custom tartans (very expensive and itchy for me)

How they may have dressed in them thar days working in the mills

Entry into the castle

We left the city with all the people and went to Loch Lomond (after we visited St. Andrews, which I will post separately)

Mama and darling "ugly duckling"   (I think this baby knows he's a swan)

Twins!

The kayak on the left rolled as a couple seconds after I took this photo

Raining quite a bit in Scotland left Ben Lomond difficult to see.  Sure is little compared to our Ben Lomond, but it looks tall in its environment and it is beautiful.

Ben Lomond and the loch (lake)

They have this grave for Rob Roy, but say he probably isn't even buried here.  They are almost sure he isn't, so why?  He roamed the area and lived here, so maybe . . .  Anyway, he was a famous Scottish folk hero and outlaw.  He tried to lead his small town to a better future.  His full name is Rob Roy MacGregor (1671-1734)

Some of the roads were very narrow--raining still

One of my favorites, the "fuzzy cow" (Scottish Highland Cow).  This one is daddy.

Here is darling baby and mama.

You can see the country better in this picture and the types of evergreens growing in Scotland.

Leaving the Loch Lomond area.  There's lots of cattle in Scotland, but we didn't see many sheep.  They must be in another area, considering all the woolen mills.

We can see the Irish Sea!!  There's a rock in the distance.

LOVED these signs in the various villages and towns we passed  through in this part of Scotland

In Straraer, Scotland where we board the ferry.  There is very different types of housing here than we were used to seeing in England.  We found the same thing in Ireland.  Many more one level and more single standing and separated, though these certainly are not.

Our rental car in a hybrid Toyota.  Here we wait as there was a problem with a returning ferry in Ireland and it was two hours later before we got to go on to the ferry.  It wasn't hot, so it was fine to wait.  They had a lounge you could go into 

Driving into the ferry

Up a ramp to another deck to park--these are really big ferries

Leaving the channel in Scotland and heading for Ireland

You Gotta Get Out of the Boat

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matthew 14:17-31

The sisters in Relief Society had a great discussion about how we cannot just sit in the boat and believe in Jesus Christ. We cannot just sit around and have faith. Faith is an action word. We have to act. We have to DO. We must have to always be preparing for the demands of the tests we will have in life. We may have our heads go under water, but our Savior will not let us drown. We must keep our eyes (our lives) centered on Christ and not on the waves (trials).

from freechristimages.org

Without eternal perspective, we can lose our souls on the plains of despair. Exercising daily spiritual habits such as reading and pondering scriptures, praying, serving others, keeping the commandments, and worshiping on the Sabbath will help us prepare for the unexpected crises that come along in life. When we are strong in the basic things of the gospel, we can handle anything with the Lord's help. We cannot let up on our constant preparation to keep our spiritual strength. Satan has not and never will let up on his exercise program. He continues to work hard to lead anyone he can from the path to our heavenly home. Exercising obedience in all things will not leave weak spots in our wall of defense against Satan.

Think "up" with positive thoughts, since it will affect our body and mind. Our cells stay healthier with uplifting thoughts. Negativity will create depression and drag us down.

When we have a choice of something to eat, would we choose Swiss chard . . .

or would we choose chocolate?  (duh)

Most of us love the smooth, easy, and creamy times in our lives that are sweet like chocolate. Yet, sometimes the worst tasting vegetables are the best for us. When we are handed a basket of Swiss chard experiences in life, we need to jump out of the boat in faith and take our Savior's hand. relying on him to help us through these bitter, growing experience.

Hard times are given to us so we can stay closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We cannot rely solely on ourselves. When we feel our own strength is enough, we are being prideful and regarding ourselves more capable than God. Pride is exactly the topic we have been asked to speak on next Sunday.