Scotland Part 3

Day 6 

Today we were heading to the Botanical Gardens which was a 40 minute walk from 10 Hill Place the hotel we're staying at. I wanted to get a bus there, but James promised that it was just a short walk and the weather was nice so we should just walk there. 10 minutes in and it started absolutely pouring and we were soaking wet. The walk there was mostly uphill so I was sweating under all the layers, and wet from the rain at the same time. We packed quite warmly thinking Scotland was going to be much colder than Leeds but I think it's warmer, and with all the walking we're doing I can't wear my usual thick Zara coat. 

It was very nice once we got there. There was a Chinese garden section which had many familiar plants and massive trees. It was still drizzling so after an hour or so we went into an indoor garden area which had plants from warmer climates. The greenhouse was massive and hot and humid. These were the supposedly more exotic plants, but the hibiscus is everywhere in KL so I wasn't as impressed. This was the best part of the day because we met a CAT. He was so old he didn't even meow and just made little chirps. We probably spent 30 minutes just stroking him on a bench. I'm hopeless when I see a cat, they're too cute and I'm completely obsessed with them. 

Left the Botanical Gardens and took the bus back this time to the city centre. Walked around for a bit and found Mum's Place a Scottish restaurant that served pies. Had the best pies and milkshakes but the waitress was so slow it took us an hour from finishing to getting the bill. The food was so unbelievably good but we'll probably never go back there again because the service was so horrible. 

Marley the cat! 

We had booked on for a Whisky experience and it was surprisingly packed considering lockdown. The guy explaining it was 21 and that made me feel so old because the people giving tours are usually much older than I am. Making whisky was such a long labourious process I have no idea how the first people decided okay lets just ferment this for a few decades without knowing what it would turn out to be. I did like that at the end they gave us these crystal whisky glasses and a small bottle of whisky even though I don't drink it and its probably just going to sit on a shelf or be used for pepsi. It just feels so fancy!

Day 7 

The last full day in Edinburgh today so we started off by going to the Edinburgh Castle. I was really annoyed in the morning because we were unsure whether the castle would be open or closed because of high winds. Tried ringing them but no one answered until an hour before our slot to go in and I didn't have enough time to get ready. Half ran and half brisk walked there which made me even more grumpy. It was freezing when we got up there but it was worth it because it was so beautiful. The historical significance of the castle was it was a fortress and also a prison for prisoners of war. 

Took a few hours to fully explore the castle with the audio guides. Left just as it started to rain. Since we've been travelling for about 8 days now we decided to do laundry at this cafe where you can leave your clothes and come back later. The guy at the cafe was so amused that I was Malaysian and started singing the Malaysia truly Asia song. I miss having a stable home to do laundry in but its part of travelling particualrly since we're in between houses. James made me try a deep fried mars bar and I can confirm that its all hype and not nice at all. Just tastes like melted caramel and sugar in batter. Mars on its own isn't my favourite anyways so maybe that's why I didn't like it. 

Day 8 

Travelling to Fort William today so the morning was spent packing up , carting everything to the car and then a last stop at BRGR before we left. I got a new horror book called Twisted Ones to read for the rest of the trip since I finished my last horror book. I've read more this year than I have the last 5 years thanks to lockdown. Reached Fort William in the evening and made a quick pit stop to the fish and chip shop for dinner before calling it a night. Tomorrow we're climbing Ben Nevis and although I'm slightly scared people that have climbed it said it was definitely doable and a comfortable hike. Also, American Elections are happening right now!!! 

Had to stop because the windy roads were making me nauseous. 

Mist and fog on the drive up to Fort William.