The Royal Britannia Yacht and Edinburgh Castle

Because of the rough ocean waves we sailed to the Port of Rosyth instead of Edinburgh. The Port of Rosyth is on the Firth of Forth. (Wow! That's confusing!) The Firth of Forth is the estuary, or firth, of several Scottish rivers including the River Forth. (Now I'm more confused.) 

I know we sailed under three bridges to get to the port.

The drive to Edinburgh took 45 minutes. Our guide was Fergus. He told us about Thomas Bouch, the architect/engineer of the Tay Rail Bridge that collapsed a year after being constructed killing 90 people. Bouch would die a year later from the stress of the catastrophe. 

Fergus said that's how we get the term 'botched job.' 

We arrived at the port of Edinburgh and went to see the Royal Yacht Britannia. This is the yacht that the royal family often sailed in.

It was interesting to see the rooms the royals slept in and the huge dining room where they often entertained important people. You could even see the jeep Queen Elizabeth liked to drive. They appeared not to live in excessively luxurious quarters.

The support staff  had a minimalist sleeping area BUT the laundry room was HUGE. 

It was fun seeing the yacht that the royals once sailed and relaxed in. Apparently, Charles and Diana also sailed on this yacht with the rest of the family.

Yes, we wore masks all the time. 

Lunch was at the Apex Hotel. We all had a chicken dish and apple crumble for dessert. It was OK.

We enjoyed Fergus' commentary as we drove through Edinburgh. 

He pointed out Edinburgh Castle up on the hilltop.

Fergus also explained how the old homes had all these chimneys because they didn't have modern central heating in the past.

Each room had to have a fireplace for warmth which then needed its own chimney.

Fergus told us the story of Half-Hangit Maggie. 

Apparently Maggie's baby had died and she was accused of killing it. She was sentenced to be hanged. Miraculously, she survived the hanging (probably scaring the fellow carrying her coffin) and they couldn't hang her again since she'd technically already been hanged. She was henceforth called Half-Hangit Maggie. 

We arrived at Edinburgh Castle and stood in line to see more crown jewels. 

We saw the royal crown and the Stone of Destiny which is called the Coronation Stone.

It was delivered to Westminster Abbey for King Charles III's coronation on May 6th.

We ventured into the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle and saw many of the armor that was used by knights of the time.

As we left Edinburgh, we passed by the statue of George IV. He apparently wore a kilt and made it popular even though he was very overweight and did not look good in it. The statue apparently flatters him.

Dinner was wonderful followed by a musical presentation of Broadway musicals that we really enjoyed.

It was another happy day and tomorrow we'd be looking for Nessie.