Note: This is a scheduled post of our Summer Holidays in Scotland (9th to 25th September, 2022)
<<< Flashback …
Ringgggg…
I received a call from someone in Scotland, someone I have not met for more than a quarter of a century! It’s great to touch base again. It’s been too long.
The caller had this to say ,”When you decide what time you plan to take the train, let us know.”
>>> Fastforward >>>
Hmmm… who was the mystery caller with a UK number calling me in the hotel room? 🤔
Apparently the mystery caller and I have been WhatsApping for a while. When I told her in June that M and I were going to Scotland in September, she wrote, “We could try to meet up”
MY moved to Scotland more than a decade ago to be with her true love 💕
Well, the last time I met MY in the flesh was back in 1995. We were colleagues back in Kuching. Not only were we colleagues, MY is my maternal cousin! Yup, it’s a small world after all 😀
ScotRail and THAT unforgettable stop!
“Remember to take the train from Glasgow Queen Street and NOT Glasgow Central to Falkirk High”. This reminder was crucial to newbies like us, as it did make a difference where we had to travel within Scotland via ScotRail.
We took the 10:00 train from Glasgow Queen Street Station to Falkirk High (towards Edinburgh). Falkirk is mid-way between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Our ETA was 10:21.
I was so engrossed watching out for the time that as soon as the train stopped at a station at 10:17, we didn’t budge immediately until M saw “Falkirk High” from his side of the window. We got up from our seats and rushed to open the door, but to no avail. The door was fastened tightly and guess what? The train started moving and I saw MY pacing up and down the station platform hoping to see familiar faces to alight. She was not aware we were in the moving train. Alas, it was too late. Yup, we missed our stop!
I immediately texted MY.
“We stopped at Falkirk High, but the door didn’t open for us. I’ve no clue where we are. What do I do now?” Oh shucks! MY didn’t read my messages!
“Where to stop? Please advise. We’re stuck on the train heading for Edinburgh”. Still, no reply. So, we did the best thing we could by stopping at the next station, Polmont. I googled the place, it was about 8 km from Falkirk High and a 10-min drive.
After a quick call to MY, all was solved. We finally met MY and AJ in their red Ford. Phew!
It was lovely listening to a real Scottish accent for a change. AJ drove us to North Queensferry Station and bought us tickets to experience a brief train ride on the Forth Rail Bridge (Red steel bridge). Completed in 1890, it is considered a symbol of Scotland, having been voted Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder in 2016, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Overlooking the Red Bridge are the ‘newer’ suspension bridges, the Forth Road Bridge (1964) and the Queensferry Crossing (2017).
By the way, the Queensferry Crossing had appeared on television the entire day on 11th September, 2022 on a worldwide scale as that was the last journey of the late Queen Elizabeth II when her casket was carried en route from Balmoral Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh. Glad to have experienced a part of the soon-to-be-history during our holidays.
A short drive to South Queensferry sealed the deal with the breathtaking view of the 3 bridges running parallel with each other.
With such lovely sunny weather, we couldn’t resist some Scottish ice-cream. The artisanal ice-cream made using grass-fed cow’s milk was exquisite.
The Dutch Inn
Coming to Scotland is not complete without trying haggis. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, that’s for sure, but I was game for new things, especially foods! Ha ha …
The Chicken Highlander (stuffed with haggis) and the Sticky Toffee Pudding combined were the pièces de résistance of the day. It was pure indulgence 🤪
I was curious about the name of the restaurant, “Dutch Inn” and then I saw Belgian Waffle on the menu card (that’s why …). MY had that and she loved it.
The Kelpies
When MY and AJ asked me what I wanted to see while in Falkirk, I said, “I come to Scotland with an open mind. Bring me to places that will trigger my memory for a long time, ie, somewhere or something I can remember Falkirk by.” AJ knew exactly where he would bring us – The Kelpies!
The Kelpies is a 30-metre high horse head sculpture depicting kelpies (shape-shifting water spirits). The name reflected the mythological transformation beasts possessing the strength and endurance of ten horses; a quality that is analogous with the transformational change and endurance of Scotland’s inland waterways.
The Helix Park is home of The Kelpies and The Kelpies have transformed the area into a 5-star tourist destination. The park was an amazing space, literally and figuratively speaking.
The Falkirk Wheel
It would have been great if we had arrived on time to experience a boat trip of a lifetime rotated by the Falkirk Wheel. Alas, we were a boat too late, however, we managed to watch the Wheel lifting / raising the last incoming boat. Impressive!
The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world. Although we didn’t get to experience the lift, it was awesome just watching the Wheel turning.
Stirling Castle
We hit the road heading for one of the most popular Castles in Scotland where a string of Hollywood movies and Netflix series were shot: Game of Thrones, Outlander, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, just to name a few.
Oops! Late again. We reached the parking lot of Stirling Castle at 17:45, a bit too late as the last entry into the Castle was 17:15.
The inside of the Castle would be great, but what we saw outside of the Castle was enriching in itself. Each landmark and statue tells a story.
The Star Pyramid, aka Salem Rock is a massive sandstone, ashlar pyramid dominating the area below the Stirling Castle beside the Old Town Cemetery. The Pyramid is dedicated to all those who suffered martyrdom in the cause of civil and religious liberty in Scotland.
The statue of Robert the Bruce on the esplanade at Stirling Castle looking out at the William Wallace Memorial was captivating. King Robert I was one of the most renowned warriors of his generation. He led Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England and fought successfully to regain Scotland’s place as an Independent kingdom. Robert is now revered in Scotland as a national hero. Now I understand why the Scottish people are craving for independence post Brexit
Stirling Castle was also the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots and it was there that William Wallace’s Braveheart speech: “Freedom!” was filmed, portrayed by Mel Gibson
Homeward bound …
It was a fulfilling day spent with AJ and MY. We would not have thought of going for that short train ride on the Forth Rail Bridge to watch the historical Queensferry Crossing that marked the last journey of QEII. We would not have thought of visiting the mythological horse head sculpture or watching the raising and lifting of boats powered by the majestic Wheel. Thanks MY and AJ 🤗
We headed back to Glasgow from Falkirk High. It was 20:00, cold and dark when we reached Glasgow Queen Street.
An early next day start awaited us for another full Day Tour of the Highlands with the many lochs, bens, glens and coos.
Nessie, here I come …
By the way ... 