Thursday was the greatest day of the long study tour in my opinion. We crammed into the bus, yet again. Unfortunately the air conditioning wasn't working with about thirty young adults, it wasn't pleasant. But the scenery was beautiful. We drove along the country-side of the Trossachs andLoch Lommond. We arrived at the Glengoyne Distillery in the Highlands of Scotland and were all relieved to get off the disgustingly uncomfortable and hot bus (but like I said the scenery was beautiful, we saw lots of sheep, and I'll admit that I got a nice little nap). At the distillery we were given single-malt samples. I held the glass close to my nose and took a sniff. There was no way I was trying it. It smelled disgusting and I had nothing to chase it with. So I let someone else have my share. I couldn't bare the whiskey and I have no idea how the Scottish actually enjoy a drink like that.
After the distillery we had lunch at a pub called The Golden Lion in Stirling. For an appetizer we were served pâté (I didn't have any though, I wasn't feeling adventures with food that day). Then we had Shepard's Pie (of course because it's extremely Scottish) and then cheesecake.
The next part of the day is why it was absolutely amazing. After a bit of a hike up a cobblestone road, we arrived at the Stirling Castle. The Stirling Castle used to be the controlling
point of Scotland and some parts of it date back to prehistoric times (when it was merely a fort). Atop the hill that the castle sits on, the scenery was breathtaking. There is no way I can describe it other than that. The view from the castle was simply gorgeous. It was some of the most beautiful landscape I had ever seen. I wish I could have captured it. The day was perfect because it was blue skies with puff-ball clouds. And the grass in Scotland is the greenest I'd ever seen. Apparently this is because of all the unicorns in Scotland (on our tour of the castle we were told that unicorns are a common symbol in Scotland and supposedly why the grass is so green... but no one ever catches them galloping across the grass, the only sign is the extreme green-ness). While we were there we toured inside the castle. Then we had some free time roam. We went to the rose gardens and looked over the edges of the castle wall where we had a magnificent view of town. I can't really describe much more of the castle. There's just something about being in a castle that feels mystical. And luckily they are scattered all over Europe. I have only been to one of the castles in Denmark, but I'm going to make sure I visit a few more.Eventually we headed back to Edinburgh. I played some car games with friends to pass the time. I had dinner that night at a place called "Garfunkles" and at somewhat expensive (but delicious) pizza. That night the group was invited to go on a ghost walk of Edinburgh. On the tour (which was lead by a woman dressed all in black attire from what looked like the 18th century... bonnet and all) we went down below the city to the authentic vaults that were built in the 18th century. It was like a sewer-type structure. We were told that this was the area below the city that the poor would gather and heinous crimes would happen. In the vaults are numerous catacombs and chambers that are supposedly haunted by ghosts and spirits. Inside the vault it was damp and
dark; the only light was from a few candles scattered around. It was musty as well. The group of us crammed into the tiny catacombs while the guide explained the strange happenings that occurred to other visitors. It was slightly uncomfortable and with a bunch of young people, of course we were attempting to startle each other (poking, making weird noises, acting strange). At one point one of my friends touched my leg and I nearly jumped into the air and screamed. It was very eerie being below the city, but I didn't feel any supernatural presence.Above ground the tour guide explained the phenomenon of the body-snatchers in Edinburgh back in the seventeen and eighteen hundreds. She was pretty much telling ghost stories. Then she humorously demonstrated some of the torture punishments that would be done to those who disobeyed the king (she did these demonstrations, one which included slight whipping, on two unsuspecting fellow DIS students... it was actually pretty weird and some of us were unsure about the tour guide's sanity). But I suppose it was all in fun, the students only suffered slight lashes and a few bruises...
It was our last night in Edinburgh so we did a little exploring after the ghost tour. But eventually we all meandered back to our beds. The next morning we packed up our things, checked out of our hotel (after squeezing in one more academic visit by a government worker addressing us on the current state of Scottish mental health... but it was difficult to pay attention because it was at nine in the morning in a stuffy hotel meeting room). Then we headed back to Copenhagen. I was pretty sad to be leaving Scotland, partly because it was a beautiful and fun country but also because the group I was with was so fantastic. I think I could have been any where in the world and still had a good time. I felt so privileged to be on this adventure and now looking back on it, I think it's going to be, as corny as it sounds, some of the fondest memories I will have of my study-abroad experience. I really enjoyed getting to know my classmates and meet people from different backgrounds. I was a little worried at first, but it turned out to actually be quite refreshing. We were forced together, but it turned out very well. And of course, Scotland is an amazing place (the people, food, culture, surroundings, and scenery). As much as I love Denmark, it was great to have a change of pace.
*I didn't take this picture, a friend of mine did. But I just htought it was such a great picture of a few of us sitting on the wall at the Stirling Castle.