Saturday, June 26, 2004 (Long Walk along The Water of Leith)

Water of Leith Walk, Britannia, Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre

Early in the morning, the weather didn't look so bad, but in the weather forecast, they talked about rain in the afternoon. Anyway, Elsa and I went with the bus to the Rosburne Bridge; there we started our trip following the riverbed of the Water of Leith until the Leith Docks. We laughed a lot, then the distance given for our walk was never written twice the same. We also saw the stairs to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.



Dean Village

Looking up at the 100-foot tall Dean Bridge, which was designed by Thomas Telford, was really enormous. The bridge was opened in 1831. It was an important development for the time opening an access to the north of the city during the development of New Town. The pathway beside the river continued on to Stockbridge and provided a relaxing walk in the heart of the city.



Along the Water of Leith

It was a nice walk, we enjoyed it and we had a glimpse into the different epochs and districts of Edinburgh. We were in a hurry then we saw the dark clouds coming closer and closer. A little bit tired, we arrived at the Leith Docks on the North Sea. www.waterofleith.org.uk

BRITANNIA
The Royal Yacht Britannia stays in Edinburgh. For over forty years the Royal Yacht Britannia served the Royal Family. It has travelled over one million miles. To Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family, Britannia proved to be the perfect royal residence for glittering State visits, official receptions, honeymoons and relaxing family holidays. But it was a little bit tricky to find the entrance since it is on the third floor in the Ocean Terminal – a very big shop. The tour with audio headphones was really interesting, but with the tour the rain also began.
www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk



View from Brtannia - Ocean Terminal

After an expensive lunch inside the shop we searched for the bus back to the city centre. Elsa and I went separate ways in town, but we both were soaked when we arrived at our next sightseeing place. I wanted to know more about Scottish Whisky so I visited …

THE SCOTCH WHISKY CENTRE (a barrel of fun)
It’s about the history and mystery of Scotch Whisky. Adults receive a free taste of Scotch Whisky, one of Scotland’s most famous exports. Through a short, lighthearted film, I discovered what makes Scotch Whisky unique. Afterwards, we learned about Scotland’s Whisky producing regions and the influences they have on different Scotch Whiskies. From the model distillery, we learned about the production of Grain Whisky. The blender’s ghost explained to us his life in the whisky trade and let us in on some secrets of the art of whisky blending. The whisky barrel ride was fun and we travelled back in time through 300 years of Scotch Whisky history. www.whisky-heritage.co.uk

I bought the book “The little book of Whisky” from Thierry Bénitah ISBN: 2-08010-626-0 for my husband. How do they say – everything you want to know about your favourite subject in one handy volume. In the shop you will find also a lot of Whiskies and also an in house restaurant.

In the easyInternetC@fe I first wrote my German diary and after that my English one. It needed time but it was nice to stay inside, to drink a coffee and eat some sweets. After answering a lot of emails, I sprinted to the bus station and also from the bus back home.

After dinner I talked with Elsa and made her a list of the addresses of the other students. The next two students from Spain arrived and on the next day Elsa left us. I heard some Scotch and Irish music on the radio and was tired. On the street there was a big and loud birthday party. ;-)

A lot of links about Edinburgh www.rampantscotland.com/edinburgh.htm