Edinburgh. We started our trip with two days in Edinburgh, for which we had modest expectations. In fact, Edinburgh was primarily a staging ground for the rest of our tour. As it turned out, however, we realized Edinburgh is a fabulous city. 

Princes Street Gardens. One of our favorite things in Edinburgh was to stroll the beautiful grounds of Princes Street Gardens, the city's most famous open space. Initially, this area, known as Nor' Loch, was an artificial marsh and served as part of the natural defense of Edinburgh's Old Town and Castle. The swamp was drained in 1820 and transformed into today's gardens. One of the must-sees in this place is the floral clock. The Flower Clock is made up of thousands of plants and flowers (even the clock hands and numbers are made from flowers), and it's quite lovely. The clock was created at the beginning of the 20th Century and is believed to be the oldest floral clock in the world. The Gardens also sport incredible views of the city and Castle. 

Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress that has been continuously in use for one thousand years and is in good condition, despite being attacked and besieged on numerous occasions. The castle sits atop a volcanic crag, with steep cliffs cut by deep ravines to the north and south. The castle's main entrance is built on solid rock that forms part of the volcanic crag, giving it a strong defensive position that would be difficult to attack directly. So luckily, we didn't want to invade the castle; we just toured the grounds and snapped some photos. After touring the castle, we lunched and stopped to take in the many buskers that adorn the grounds outside the castle. Since the weather was lovely, the entire area buzzed with locals and tourists alike.

Calton Hill. Calton Hill is a hill in the Old Town that provides a good vantage point for viewing the city, and it is also home to several monuments including those honoring Admiral Nelson, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Burns. We ventured to the top of the hill in the daytime and night. Both times, the views of the city were spectacular, but I especially enjoyed the night views.

The food. Before leaving Edinburgh, Cecilia tried Sticky Toffee Pudding at our hotel and she was immediately in love. For the uninitiated, sticky toffee pudding can be found in most pubs in Scotland. It is traditionally made with dates and toffee sauce with butter, sugar, and golden syrup. A sponge cake is soaked in the sauce and served with cream or ice cream. This delectable dessert has all Ceci's favorite ingredients, including butter, sugar, syrup, and ice cream. So for the remainder of the trip, Cecilia tried in vain to find an STP that bested the one she had in Edinburgh. Though she didn't find a better one, it didn't stop her from trying. As for me, I couldn't get enough of the Scottish Salmon. 

Sterling. On our last day in Edinburgh, we rented a car and headed west. Our first stop was Sterling. Stirling is a city in central Scotland. The city is located on the River Forth, approximately 20 miles north of Glasgow. Historically, it was strategically important as the "Gateway to the Highlands" via the nearby Scottish Lowlands, and hence it has been heavily fortified. In addition, its position near the confluence of two rivers makes it an ideal place for hydroelectric power generation, and it has been home to several power stations over time. Stirling's most famous landmark is its castle, which sits atop a steep hill above the junction of two tributaries of the River Forth. The castle has been in use since medieval times and was once a royal residence for Mary Queen of Scots. In addition to the Castle, we visited The William Wallace National monument. The monument is an impressive 67-meter tower with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside built to commemorate the Scottish knight who fought against English rule during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 13th Century.

Loch Lomond. Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater lake in Great Britain located in West of Scotland 50 km north of Glasgow. Scottish loch located in the West of Scotland. We spent the several days touring the lake and its environs and it was one of favorite parts of our trip. We stayed at the Cameron House, which is a beautiful baronial mansion in the Scotland countryside. It combines traditional Scottish influences with ultimate luxury and you get an unforgettable stay in the middle of paradise.

Pitlochry. As we approached Pitlochry, were immediately struck by the stunning natural beauty of the Scottish countryside. Rolling hills, lush greenery, and sparkling lochs dotted the landscape, creating a sense of serenity and tranquility that was impossible to resist. When we arrived in Pitlochry, we were greeted by the quaint charm of the town's main street. Lined with shops, cafes, and galleries, it was the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll and soak up the local culture. One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to the famous Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder. It was fascinating to watch the salmon make their way up the ladder and overcome the obstacle of the dam. The visitor center was also well worth a visit, providing us with insights into the engineering and history behind the dam and the river system. Another highlight of our trip was a visit to Blair Athol Distillery, where we learned about the production of Scotch whisky and even got to sample a few drams. The cozy atmosphere of the tasting room, combined with the warmth and knowledge of the staff, made for a truly unforgettable experience.Throughout our stay, we were struck by the warmth and hospitality of the locals, who welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home. We also couldn't resist indulging in some of the local delicacies, including haggis, neeps, and tatties, and the traditional Scottish breakfast. As we reluctantly bid farewell to Pitlochry and made our way back to Edinburgh, we couldn't help but feel grateful for the memories and experiences we had gained during our short but sweet trip. It was a reminder that sometimes the most rewarding adventures are the ones that are close to home.