One thing that really struck me about Scotland was how proud the locals were of their own culture. When you talk to them, you realise that their way of life is entrenched in the hundreds of years of tradition that permeates the whole region.
I met a whole variety of people there, local Scots who were only too happy to stop and chat, including an old gent on crutches who asked me "Do you like my city?" when I was in Edinburgh, to which I replied "Oh yes the city is very pretty", and he left us with a big smile on his face.
After I did that, a thought flashed through my mind if I should have given him a less politically correct reply like "I like your city but I don't like old men", such is the deviant way my mind works. But I really did like the city, and the old man was nice.
There were some young assholes though. Three blonde girls, with tongue studs and really wild dyed hair, actually came right up to me and shouted in my face, in true Fergie hairdryer style. Maybe it's a Scottish thing, but I guess I would have been more offended if I actually understood just what the hell they were saying. When they realised that I was actually mildly amused by their pathetic attempts being racist, they tried pushing. The only reason I didn't shove them back was because they were female, and I didn't really want to be in contact with filth.
Glasgow
Glasgow University - It looks like one of those Harry Potter style universities. I shouted "Harry Potter!" while pointing at it and a student there looked at me like I was retarded.
Glasgow University postcard shot! Hurhur.The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - another of Glasgow's must see places, it has free admission and some of the most varied exhibits ever, like many stuffed animals including a hundred year old stuffed elephant, all sorts of paintings and even suits of armour.
This was a real elephant a hundred years ago. It's actually kinda freaky.
If these came alive, it would be like right out of Night in the Museum wouldn't it. Imagine the stories they could tell.
Interesting painting that was meant to convey the artist's traumatic impression of a scene after his mother's precious china got broken.Glasgow's Botanical Gardens
The thing I really love about their gardens is the variety of flowers they have, in many different colours. In Singapore, the only flowers we have are like what, bouganvillea and random orchids.Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis
You gotta love how the grey clouds really add atmosphere to this whole shot.
The inside of the awesome Glasgow Cathedral.
The necropolis might look creepy, but really, it's a very peaceful place. Not to mention it offers awesome views of Glasgow from the top.Other random shots around the city of Glasgow.
Buchanen Street. This is the main shopping thoroughfare of Glasgow. It extends for about a full kilometre, with shops on both sides. It also crosses 3 main roads. If you're a shopaholic, this is the place for you.
Street buskers. Some of them are really talented, and they really add character to the place.
Europe has many squares like these, but I think this was the first one I saw with reddish ground.
Another Glasgow postcard shot.Edinburgh
The city of Edinburgh - This city was an ancient fortress town, so the whole town was built around the castle. It is a really small town, because it used to be encircled by walls, which meant that the only way the town could expand was upwards. Hence the town is now full of tall buildings, which date back to medieval times.
If you ever visit Edinburgh, eat here at the Last Drop tavern on Grassmarket. They sell their meals at half price for backpackers, and their service is excellent. And no, they didn't pay me to advertise for them. I did it for free because they were that good.Arthur's Seat (The best part of Edinburgh by a mile - MUST VISIT)
This place is the highest point in Edinburgh, and although it wasn't easy to climb, it was worth every step. The pictures trace my journey up the hill, all 220.5 metres of it.
We met three Spanish amigos up on the peak of Arthur's Seat. They were an absolute riot, funny, friendly, and they shared their breakfast with us, bread, sausages and a red wine they called "vinegar". They were kinda reluctant to offer it to us even because it was really that bad.They showed us pictures of their hometowns, played funny songs on their handphones while dancing to them, and were basically a joy to be with. The best part was, they didn't automatically assume I was Japanese, like the rest of Scotland. They actually knew where Singapore was, because they had a friend working there.
Best quote from them? "We're from the best country in the world, Spain." They were really damn funny.
A Scottish guy I met at the foot of Arthur's Seat. He was practising his bagpipes in the middle of a huge field, and he gave us a demonstration of how to play one. You have to blow into the instrument first to fill up the bag that he squashes under his left arm. After that, you have to keep squashing the bag so air goes into the pipes, blow into the bag to keep it filled, while using your fingers to play this recorder like thing to change the notes.And the thing about a bagpipe is, once it starts it can't stop till the bag is deflated, so you have to keep using your creativity, and come up with new melodies to keep it going so your audience doesn't get bored. Tough.
Edinburgh Castle
Weili vs. Mons Meg.
Mons Meg is the biggest gun in Edinburgh castle.
Do not climb on Mons Meg? No matter. This was much more fun. Boy, it sure echoed like hell inside there. I nearly went deaf on my own voice. Haha.
This is what the cannon would be shooting at if it were still functional.
It was rather interesting to see someone in a traditional dress. She was standing around taking pictures with everyone, and she would later deliver a performance in character inside one of the castle's richly decorated chambers, as shown in one of the later pictures. While taking this picture we chatted, and found out that we were the first visitors from Singapore today. Well, how many visitors from Singapore do you get here anyway. Haha.
Edinburgh from the castle. I took this from one of the purple tinted windows of the castle's chambers, so the whole town got tinted bluish purple.