Started the morning with an ‘easy’ (I was puffing the whole way) stroll to Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano 250m above sea level. Wayne made a determined march to base camp (you’d be proud, Danny) but declined the ascent to the summit. Reckons as the Sherpa, he needed to stay with the bags.
After breakfast, we did a hop on hop off bus tour with Alan and Brian. We had been advised to take the blue bus over the red bus because it had an English-speaking guide and was more personalised. No one told us you need to speak Scottish. We basically picked up every 3rd word and marvelled at Brian’s ability to talk while seemingly asleep. He told us that Parliament House and the Palace were shut for two weeks because the Queen had arrived on Friday.
Lo and behold who did we see going into the church as the bus went by- the back of a little lady wearing a limish-green suit and grey hair. Unfortunately, we have no proof as both Donna and Wayne couldn’t get their cameras ready in time…but it was the Queen going to go church. Let it be said that Mark did not accept that it was indeed the Queen.
Since then I have gone to google and yes the Queen did go to church in Edinburgh on Sunday, June 30 but she was wearing a blue coat, a matching hat with flowers and the time appears to be later than when we drove past. I did wonder why there was a limited police presence and why Brian, our guide wasn’t very excited. Wayne and Donna still refuse to believe that the lady we saw wasn’t the Queen.
‘She must have gone twice!’
We then went for a tour of Edinburgh castle. 
Came home for a wee sleep and then headed out again. We tried to get into the The smallest Pub in Scotland but surprise, surprise, there was literally no room for the four of us. 
A pint or two and a meal at The Last Drop (where people were hung) and then a few more at The Three Sisters (a big bar with huge screens showing the cricket). Both places had been pointed out by Brian on the bus tour.
Not only was Wayne cursing India for giving up and playing it safe against England but Mark continued his campaign for Wayne to try new food and different beers. Here is Wayne drinking his first Innis and Gunn. 
Found lots of great training stairs and met a couple of suspicious-looking Scotsman.
2019 UK Trip 