Edinburgh 2

The weather has been much better than we expected. Today was even a short sleeve day at times. After yesterday's hectic pace we decided to have a slower day. The National Museum of Scotland looked interesting so we thought we would go there for a while. On the way we passed a shop that would interest several members of our family.

We ended up spending several hours at the Museum. We started with a free guided tour to give us a taste then went back to look at the things that had caught our attention.

Unfortunately this orrery doesn't move anymore but it was still wonderful.

I'm not sure how you would walk in these shoes. They are 3D printed and based on footprints in the sand.

Peter looking over the flight exhibit.

There is a terrace on top of the building with views over the city. A kind person took this photo of us with the Castle in the background.

Claire was pleased to see the "Lewis Chessmen". We had seen some of them in the exhibition that came to the National Museum and apparently the British Museum doesn't have all of them, the Scots got to keep a few! Our guide wasn't sure about how they came to be separated. 

From the far past to the near past, they also have Dolly.

Even the floor in the main gallery is interesting. It is made from local limestone and you can see ammonites if you look closely.

Not far from the Museum is the statue of Grayfriar's Bobby. There is debate about whether he did spend 14 years on his master's grave, but it makes a good story and the nearby churchyard where he and his master are buried is very pretty.

By now we were ready to head back to the hotel. We had a pleasant walk through the East Princes Gardens. Claire explored a bit further while Peter waited at the base of the Scott Monument.

Last stop for Peter was another beer at the Conan Doyle. We are staying close to where he was born and there should be a statue of Sherlock Holmes but it has been put into storage while major road works are being carried out.