Day 18. It does seem strange celebrating our independence from Great Britain while we are in Great Britain. One of the kids says “what, we don’t get to see fireworks on the 4th of July?” Somehow I don’t think the UK views our independence the same way and won’t be wheeling out the fireworks just for our trip.

We decide to use the 2nd full day to do a bus tour outside of Edinburgh to the Scottish Highlands.   This involves a 6:30am wake-up call and the kids do well getting up – especially Justin & Ashlynn who didn’t get to bed until 1am because of the Ghost Fail the previous night.

The first stop is a quick one at Trossachs National Park. Well the stop was actually more like a gas station but they had a pen with three highland cows.   Interesting looking animals – they have no fat so they grow two coats of fur for the winter which the shed in the spring.  Back on the bus and quick picture at the “three sisters” rock formation at Glencoe.

The highlight of the bus ride is seeing Castle Dourne – aka GOT Winterfell.  Winterfell was actually filmed at both Castle Dourne in Scotland and Castle Ward in Northern Ireland.  Since we won’t have time to venture to North Ireland, I’ll take this.

On to Loch Ness.  The tour provides two options at Loch Ness – a boat ride exploring Loch Ness or ½ explore a Castle and ½ boat ride.  I figure I’ve already seen 3 castles and will see more in Europe so I opt for the boat ride secretly hoping the longer boat ride will give me a better chance of spotting the Loch Ness monster.  Growing up, I loved all things Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster, Abominable Snowman, etc. The boat ride was great and we got to take pictures from the boat with the castle in the background.  I took a picture of what I assert is the Loch Ness monster (see below). Leanne is not convinced and says it look like a rock to her. 

We drive by Inverness and take pictures from the bus.  We have a couple stops on the way back.  Lot of driving but we got to really see a large area north of Edinburgh.  Our tour guide was amazing.  He talked almost the entire 12 hours and I think I know more about Scottish history than American history at this point.