A blustery old day for an adventure. A four hour car ride heading north, brought us to wonderful Edinburgh.

Eventually we gravitated to Edinburgh Castle.

The Castle has so much history and atmosphere, but the thing that always gets me, is the view.

A view with added Rainbow…

It was busy in the Castle, really busy. Fortunately we bought tickets the night before, as on the day it was completely sold out. This was a challenge for Hawklad. Under the right circumstances he can just about cope with crowds, but this at times felt too uncontrolled, too unpredictable. He feels more comfortable when a crowd is heading mostly in one direction, where he doesn’t have to face too many faces heading towards him. But here people were heading in all directions, way too random for him. It wasn’t just visually, unpredictable sounds, from all directions proved disorientating. He did manage to see a good part of the castle but some places he respectfully declined.

We agreed on a winter trip back here when hopefully the crowds will have thinned a little. That might well be a two woolly jumper trip…..

48 thoughts on “Edinburgh”

      1. I do appreciate your mindset and understand totally what it is you are doing.
        This leads me to your current post and your beliefs as to the many reasons that currently Hawklad has to contend with regarding ‘social cues’ (tone of voice, body language, etc.) I couldn’t agree more with all that you’ve written. Your understandings are valid and true. Only time and repetition will bring rewards. Your outings are indeed so valuable – to you both.

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  8. Crowds are overwhelming to me too, so I think Hawklad was very brave to take this on. Edinburgh with a rainbow no less! I was in Edinburg NY (without the h and pronounced “Ee din bur”) yesterday!

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  9. What a beautiful visit, Gary. I’m sorry the crowds felt overwhelming for Hawklad and you’re a good dad to plan a return visit in winter. Edinburgh is a beautiful visit and we were fortunate to visit in 2013. I’d love to take T to Scotland one day. I hear his birth dad is Scottish. It’s not you, is it?

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  10. Was up there over a year ago now, visiting family and looking at were my father was born in Portobello, but never got to seeing the castle. Lovely view and especially with the rainbow.

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  16. Dear friend, your photos are stunning. I’ve always wanted to go there. Hawklad, I understand; I’m sorry! What treasured times! The rainbow is spectacular, Gary. Many hugs and blessings. ❣️🙏🏻

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  21. Edinburgh is the only place I’ve seen in Scotland and it was beautiful!! The people were absolutely lovely and the area is pretty. We went over New Year’s and I ended up joining the Hogmany — a huge mistake for someone who also struggles with crowds.😳 I’d imagine other times in the fall/winter would have much more reasonable amounts of people.

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  22. Would love to visit Edinburgh castle!
    Glad Hawklad was able to see at least some of it. Good idea about going back in the winter, facing the cold but not having to face a lot of people.

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