UK Road Trip: Loch Lomond

Loch means lake in Scotland. On our way back to our hotel we stopped at one.

Livvy was thrilled to find ducks to chase and kept getting frustrated when they flew away. 

After buying a few souvenirs we ventured in town to find a place to eat, but first came upon a play ground surrounded buy sheep.  

After a rather frustrating dinner (kids and restaurants don't mix sometimes) we headed back to the hotel. 

Here are the kiddos with their souvenirs, one Scottish cow and one Scottish dollie = two adorable smiles. 

UK Road Trip: Glencoe, Scotland

The second day in Scotland was one of my favorites of the trip. 

We drove 2 hours through the countryside to the edge of the highlands. 

We stopped in a one-street town called Glencoe and went exploring. 

Livvy was in heaven to be out of the car and stroller and free to tromp around the woods in her new wellies. 

After some stick finding and flower picking we found a perfect spot for our picnic. 

We ate fast (so we could escape the ates) and kept walking. 

We didn't see anyone else while we were in the forest. It was so peaceful and beautiful. I loved relaxing from the buzz of tourism. 

We followed the signs to a war memorial and this cute European couple shot a quick picture for us. 

I loved this bridge that we walked across to get to the forest. It was picturesque! 

While Livvy and I visited the loo, the boys walked down and snapped a shot of the loch (lake). 

And right as we were pulling out from Glencoe Lincoln saw his precious highland cow (hairy cows) and made me stop the car so he could jump out and snap a few pictures of them. 

So with our cow pictures under our belt we were on the road again. 

UK Roadtrip: Edinburgh, Scotland

After spending the night in Glasgow, Scotland we woke up and drove to Edinburgh for the day.

Met some sweet Scottish soldiers.

Then we climbed the steep hill to the Edinburgh Castle. We spent the first half of the day touring the museums and seeing the crowned jewels in this huge castle.

The view of the city from the castle. 

I was taking a quick picture of Lincoln and Livvy when this man standing next to us said he wanted to take a picture of all of us. As he was taking it, Jude (the over-tired) child started screaming. After the man took our picture he turned and snapped a shot of Jude for "posterity's" sake. Poor Jude.

Once we finished the castle we walked the Royal Mile. It's a mile of shops and restaurants. Lincoln loved it. 

Lincoln the tourist.

We thought that my tailor brother could add these fabulous kilts to his custom line. 

We had a really fun day in Edinburgh. I think our favorite thing about Scotland is the accent! 

UK Road Trip: Durham and Hadrien's Wall

On the long haul up to Scotland we stopped off in Durham to see (another) cathedral.

It was pretty and a nice place for a little picnic. Durham seemed like a really young city with loads of students in "uni" at Durham University.

Random old church that we parked by. There is a church like this in every English town that we've seen. I love them and the old gravestones that surround them.

Jude was really thrilled to see another cathedral.

Finally we reached the rolling hills of Northern England and the famous Hadrian's Wall.

We opened our car doors and were hit with FREEZING cold blustering wind and misty rain. We reached the visitor center only to find out the wall was located further up in the hill about a fourth of a mile up a steep hill that was even colder than the parking lot.

Lincoln, the ever stalwart tourist, insisted we make the trek. So, I bundled Jude close and up the hill we went. Livvy insisted her father carry her because she was "freeeeeezing!"

Once we reached the wall and Roman ruins I booked it to the heated museum with the kids and Lincoln went exploring. In his little sweater and paper thin hand-me-down track jacket. Oh that man, how I love him.

All in all, it was neat to see the wall and drive through the beautiful country as we neared Scotland. I'm glad Lincoln got his pictures too.