Day 32 -Edinburgh

We only have one day in Edinburgh, so we planned today to maximise the sights and experiences available.  A city tour bus with earphone commentary was very good value.  

We left the bus for a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia.  This ship was launched in 1953 and sailed until it was decommissioned in 1997.  The Queen and her family were always very fond of the times they spent on board.  Charles and Diana spent their honeymoon aboard, as did other royal couples.

The tour enabled us to have a very good examination of all of the yacht, including many royal photographs and precious silver, crockery, artworks, and gifts which have been given to the Queen during the many years which she has reigned.

We have found the Scottish accent difficult to follow where we thought we would have had more difficulty in Ireland.

Waterloo Place in Edinburgh with the "Gothic Rocket" in the centre.

A bagpiper on a street corner soliciting tips.

The Britannia wheel house.

The Queen's bedroom.  Prince Philip's room is across the corridor !

The Royal Dining Room.  This is where she entertained guests, including international kings and queens and diplomats, as well as well-known entertainers.  If you get to dine with the Queen you are really important!

The Operating theatre in the sick bay.  The Queen brought her own doctor when travelling on her yacht.

Ship's bell with 1953 engraved on it (the year the Britannia was launched)

The place setting for our lunch on the Britannia.

The Edinburgh lunch time crowd think that 18 degrees is plenty hot enough for a suntan!