I thought I would start out with a question – Is Scotland a country? No kidding, I am really asking. I tried asking people who live here, but the answers are split:
- Yes, it is a country within a country.
- No, the UK is a country and Scotland is just one of the kingdoms.
There you have it, the debate. What is your opinion? Whether or not it is a country, it’s largest city Edinburgh is really interesting. Most everywhere we looked we found stone buildings, narrow streets, construction (but that’s another story) and chimneys. It all seems to lead uphill towards the Edinburgh Castle:
Looking up at Edinburgh Castle (too bad it was a rainy day)
Sarah sits upon a cannon at Edinburgh Castle
A city view from Edinburgh Castle, which is up on a hill.
Lots of other sites to see in Edinburgh. A few favorites:
The Royal Britannia - the Queen's yacht
Do you remember Dolly, the first cloned adult sheep? She is now stuffed and in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Sarah sits in the Elephant House Cafe where JK Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter.
Have you been to Scotland? All photos on this page © Rhonda Albom 2012
Travel Counter: We are in week 10 of our 250 day overseas adventure.
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Travel with us as we laugh our way around the globe. I am Rhonda Albom, wife, mom, photographer and blogger, sharing the lighter side of our traveling family's life with two teens. 
I always thought of Scotland as a country. Great pictures.
Joyce recently posted..#GBE2: My Turn
That’s my vote too, but then is Wales a country?
I just learned that Northern Ireland isn’t a country, it is part of Ireland and part of the UK. Now how does that work?
I could really confuse you and tell you the northern Ireland story all started with potatos!
lisaauch recently posted..Free Crochet Patterns for Baby Hat and Baby Bootee Shoes set.
Do tell . . .
There now. It’s not really a yacht, is it! I think it really is a bit of an understatement for it to be referred to as a yacht. I mean really?
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Would you call it a ship? I just doesn’t sound as impressive – The Queen’s ship.
Although a yacht is often thought of as a sailing ship, it is a term that also applies to a luxury private boat. The millionaires who have their own boats that moor up in Saint Tropez and Cannes in the South of France have luxury yachts.
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Maybe we can get on one of those yachts when we are in the South of France – but I doubt it.
Wow you have seen more Harry Potter locations than most fans, the girls friends must be incredibly jealous.
I saw Britannia when she was anchored off Swanage in the late 1960′s, the time when I was about 15 and we had a cabin cruiser. My Dad motored us past it, a great sight. Such a shame it’s now a museum piece, but the era of the Royal Family needing a yacht has passed, and it was an expensive luxiry to maintain.
I think most people in England consider Scotland to be a country, in fact we get very irate going into the USA and having to put “Great Britain” on the immigration forms. We come from “England”, the same as the Welsh coming from Wales, the Scottish from Scotland and the Irish from Ireland.
Looking forward to the next installment and to meeting you all next week…
Tony Payne recently posted..The Diary of Robert Scott – Surviving the Millenium Apocalypse
Yes, we have seen a lot of Harry Potter, it was the top of Sarah’s wish list for the trip. She is one happy girl.
I hadn’t realized Britannia isn’t sailed any longer, as we didn’t board her, we only took shots from the outside.
Thanks for clearing up the country issue.
Thanks for that info! I really thought that Scotland is a country too! I forgot that it’s actually United Kingdom is the country! Lol! You look like that you have a great time there! Enjoy still!
Heidi19 recently posted..Different Stages Of Arowana Fry Still Attached To the Egg Yolk For Your Viewing Pleasure…
So are you voting Country, part of the UK or both?
Enjoyed your photos, It’s great your still taking time to blog your adventures while doing all this traveling
You look like you had a good time in Edinburgh, I went there in the 80′s to visit friends I absolutely loved it there, I couldn’t get over how clean the City was.
stevebethere recently posted..Top Weekly EC Droppers June 1 – 2012
Funny you mention this on the day I said I was getting tired of blogging
I will continue though, family and friends like to follow along. Loved Edinburgh.
Yes, Pitlochery, near Perth is where my Grandmother came from.
cool
Edinburgh is indeed quite a magical city!
lisaauch recently posted..Free Crochet Patterns for Baby Hat and Baby Bootee Shoes set.
Wish I had more time to spend there.