Rule Britannia

Another day of Scottish contrasts. We started the day with a self tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia.

We were so glad we didn't rush to fit it into yesterday. For those who don't know, the Britannia no longer sails, it is a permanent tourist attraction in Edinburgh. We were there right at opening time and for the first half an hour it felt like we were the only people on the boat.

I was surprised to see how modestly the Queen chose to live while on Britannia, quite normal really, though the class did show in the dining room with silverware and elegant china and crystal.

It wasn't all about the Queens stuff though, the rest of the boat was fascinating as well, from the helm to the engine room (which apparently was kept in this sparkling condition even when she was running).

By the time we finished there were a lot more people but because there is set sequence to follow on the tour we were always in front of the crowd.

And of course we had to have morning tea while on board.

In the afternoon we left Edinburgh and back tracked north. We decided there were a few things we needed to see in the Highlands near Fort William but that's for the next post.

TOODLES