Edinburgh: bits and bobs

Since we've been in Scotland we have learned a number of unique words and phrases that the locals use. In fact, I have on ongoing "Scottish Dictionary" in my classroom whenever I hear something from the students that I'm not familiar with. One such saying that we hear often is "bits and bobs", which roughly means "this and that" or "odds and ends". Today was a "bits and bobs" kind of day. However, our afternoon of random errands led to some fun discoveries and visits in Edinburgh.

We have discovered that Edinburgh has a Saturday morning farmers market. We were thrilled to wander through the stalls and have lunch below Edinburgh Castle. Local produce, delicious cheese, hamburgers, amazing apple juice, and lights-out milkshakes guarantee a return visit soon.

Will with Greyfriars Bobby. Popular legend has it that this little dog spent fourteen years guarding the grave of his owner before dying himself.

J.K. Rowling was a frequent visitor of The Elephant House cafe while she was writing the early Harry Potter books. We couldn't pass up an opportunity to visit another Harry-related site. Other Scottish writers such as Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith have also been spotted here.

Here's an inside shot of the cafe. Through the windows is a beautiful view of Edinburgh Castle.

After our visit to the Elephant House, we discovered we were right next to the new Scotland National Museum. We spent about two hours on the ground floor (there are five floors) visiting the Science & Technology,  and Animal Life exhibits.

Ainsley working hard to pull her seat up with the pulley.

Future astronauts

 

Will is channeling his inner Jackie Stewart (Scottish race car driver in the 1960's/70's)

For 5 pounds you can have antlers attached to your skull.