May 13, 2011
We slept very late this morning and got a late start to our day. We had a late breakfast and then made our way to the stop for the City Sights Tour Bus. It was one of the hop- on – hop off types but we had been assured that they could accommodate a wheelchair, which it did. We got set up with our headphones and settled in for the ride.

Mom on the Tour bus

We started our tour and after a few stops got off at the stop to take the underground city tour. Edinburgh has a warren of underground passages and crypts that the very poor and destitute lived in during the 1600 – 1800′s. The extreme living conditions; over crowding, rampant disease, no hygiene, flowing rivers of sewage and unchecked crime – were terrible in these underground places. Many people died. The tour guide also regaled us with the tale of the South Bridge Entity who apparently haunts the caverns and will, without warning, strike out an an unsuspecting tourist leaving 3 bloody claw marks in the flesh. Pretty ghoulish and it fit with the tour. There was virtually no light except for the guides meager flashlight and a few sparse candles. You couldn’t see your hand in front of your face at times.

Start of the Underground Tour

We left here and walked the area a bit more. I learned quickly how to navigate a wheelchair on bumpy cobblestone streets. I have a new appreciation for people who have to use a wheelchair all the time.

We ended the day with a trip to the Scottish Museum. We only had 30 minutes but we did get to see the stuffed version of the famous Dolly the Sheep, that was the first cloned animal.

Back in our room but will be going out for dinner in a little bit so we will have an early night. Tomorrow is shopping and then over to the casino. Yep, there ARE casinos and slot machines in Edinburgh. A taxi driver had told us about this and although I was not thrilled, Mom certainly was, so we will be going there to cap off our trip before leaving on Sunday. But not before we have High Tea tomorrow afternoon…

« »