IRN BRU Taste Test

Our last and final day in Scotland was filled with a diverse array of sights from a Hollywood film sight, to viewing highland cows, and a lovely dinner overlooking Loch Lomond.  We started the day early so we could get in as much as possible but paid for it later.  Our final stop in Edinburgh was to see the infamous Greyfriars Bobby Skye terrier statue.  This dog was so devoted that he stood watch over his masters grave for 14 years until his own demise.  

Since we weren't able to visit the "highlands," Rik took us to a location were we could see a highland cow.  They are sure ugly!

 

Attention DaVinci Code lovers;  we visited Rosslyn Chapel where the final chapters in the book take place and where Tom Hanks walked the aisles during Hollywood's version of the book.  Many assertions in the book were fictionalized and Hollywood added to the interior architecture for the movie.  The docent gave us a history on the chapel and pointed out interesting architectural details.   The publishing of Dan Brown's book is noted as a miracle for the chapel increasing visitors by more than 100 percent.  The revenues are helping to restore the chapel's ceiling which was deteriorating rapidly due to water damage.   

 

Despite the long detour, driving through the countryside was beautiful.  We arrived at New Lanark just around lunchtime but decided to visit the "New Millennium Experience" first.  The "ride" was supposed to be wheelchair accessible but Kelly's wheelchair was too big.  Go figure!  We didn't let that stop us. On the ride we learned about the revolution that occurred in the milling industry in the 1800's in New Lanark.  Robert Owen was an extremely successful entrepreneur but more importantly he helped reform child labor laws, opened schools, started an employee sick fund, and made sure the workers lived under favorable conditions. He is considered one of the founders of the Co-operative movement and utopian socialism.  We toured the school rooms that were along the banks of the River Clyde. 

 

Back in the taxi, we began the drive to the industrialized city of Glasgow. Rik took us to see the Burrell Collection which is housed in a museum in Pollok County Park.  The museum contains 9,000 works of art that the city acquired from one single person, Sir William Burrell.  We were only interested in the impressionist art of Manet, Cezanne, and Degas.  The Islamic and ancient Chinese art didn't appeal to us in the least bit making it the shortest visit to a museum ever.

In talking with Rik, we learned that IRN BRU is the drink of choice in Scotland.   They sell more of it than either Coke or Pepsi.  We couldn't pass up the opportunity to try it so we stopped at the nearest convenient store to buy some.   It is orange in color and tastes like a sicky sweet bubble gum.  Kelly enjoyed it while Jenny and Mom downed a Diet Coke.

Loch Lomond, the second biggest loch in Scotland, was our final destination.   Due to the record high temperatures, the Trossachs National Park was filled with sunbathers and a few braving the cold waters.  We walked along the loch's edge and enjoyed the cool breezes.  Dinner was served on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond at Duck Bay Restaurant.  The views were gorgeous and the food was some of the best on the entire trip.

 

 

The whole Glasgow airport experience, the short flight back to Dublin, and the accommodations near the Dublin airport for our last night were disastrous. The long flight home was exactly that...long!