Arrival: 23 June

Green open fields, pastures, some trees, rolling hills. I noticed they plowed their fields vertically. In spite of all the green, it gives the feeling of being incredibly barren.

The train arrived at Waverly Station at 4:00pm. I used 20p to call the pastor I had been referred to. His daughter picked up. When I asked the best thing to do for a place to stay, I was told I would stay with them. I was told to take the 26 bus to Drumbrae Drive. It was a walk from there and she would meet me.

I missed the first bus. I didn't have the 30p for the fare. I had to go and get change and come back. And I didn't make many new friends with my backpack and suitcase...

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I wasn't all that happy dragging that suitcase (no wheels...) with that pack on my back.

But the family was very gracious and gave me my own room. I didn't feel that bad from jetlag. I almost did fall asleep on the train, as I got no sleep on the plane thank you incredibly bad turbulence). 10pm and still light out, which is new to me. The pastor is going to show me around tomorrow.

24 June

The pastor drove me around Edinburgh, then up by Arthur's Seat and the 11th C Norman Church in Duddington. Then he turned me loose. I spent an hour on Princes Street. I needed to buy a daywear jacket, so stopped in several places.

I spent 30p on the bus up to the Castle (it was several days before I found out you pay by the distance you go, not a flat 30p. Dumb tourist).

I was several days in Edinburgh. Almost all of them spent in some sort of museum, so I won't bore you with details. Those of you in such things will have access much better to them. Because at that time I was into reenacting, I took pictures of clothing, dirks, targes, sporrans, and whatever, as well as made detailed drawings in my journal. I had written ahead to the National Portrait Gallery to request to see the portrait of John (The Bank) Campbell of Lochlane, as I was interested in the tartan he was wearing. (Peter MacDonald has since produced a woven copy of that tartan.) I was treated most kindly by Miss Helen Smails at that time, and given permission to photograph paintings as long as it was for my personal use and not for publication. Therefore, I further tales of Edinburgh will be of more general interest.