June 12, 2026

June 12, 2026 – Stirling Castle and a Scottish Welcome

Good morning, Edinburgh!

Steve and Jeff went out exploring early this morning while Susie and I stayed back to get ready for the day. During their walk, they visited St. Mary’s Cathedral. Construction took five years and was completed in 1885 at a cost of £110,000, which would be roughly equivalent to several million dollars today.

One interesting fact we learned is that no building in Edinburgh is permitted to be taller than the Castle, helping preserve the city’s historic skyline.

At 12:45, we met the other 20 travelers on our Tauck tour in the hotel lobby. The group seems wonderful, with most people around our age, along with a few who are younger and a few who are older.

Our first excursion was to Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most important historic sites. It was a little over a hour’s ride from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle, which sits atop a volcanic crag formed by an ancient dormant volcano, giving it commanding views of the surrounding countryside.

On our drive to Stirling Castle, we passed the famous Kelpies near Falkirk. These enormous 100-foot-tall steel horse heads honor Scotland’s working Clydesdale horses and the mythical water horses of Scottish folklore. Rising dramatically beside the motorway, they are impossible to miss and have become one of Scotland’s most recognizable landmarks.

Inside the palace, we noticed the unicorn appearing throughout the tapestries and decorations. The unicorn is Scotland’s national animal and has long symbolized purity, strength, and independence.

We walked along the castle walls, taking in breathtaking views of the countryside. The gardens were beautiful with hints of the colors to expect throughout the summer.

The castle kitchens featured fascinating displays showing what life was like centuries ago. Replicas of the original kitchens included bushels of fruits and vegetables and demonstrations of how animals were prepared for royal feasts.

After returning to the hotel, we attended a welcome reception followed by dinner. The evening was made even more special by a traditional Scottish bagpiper who entertained us with stories and Scottish history. He then led us into the dining room while playing his bagpipes. The tables were beautifully set, and a Scottish-made scarf was draped over each chair as a welcome gift.