Day 07 -- 6/07 - Greenock, Scotland

 Today found us back in the UK with a port stop at Greenock (with access to Glasgow), Scotland.  We arrived by 7am and left just after 6pm. Our little group of 7 met up in the 5th floor Piazza area at 8:30am and then proceeded to disembark the ship just before 9am.  We met our driver, David, from Sixstar Coach Tours Ltd  (Info@sixstarcoachtoursltd.com).I had arranged this tour which would take us to two castles, a visit to some hairy coos, and a brief stop at Loch Loman.  The 7 person van was comfortable with only one problem:  My front seat belt would not release to buckle me in.  So I rode the day with no seatbelt.  Our first stop was at the Stirling Castle which was noteworthy as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots.  We could also see the massive monument to William Wallace on an adjoining hill as well as the battlefield on which the events of Braveheart took place.  For the castle tour, I had purchased use of the audio guide which I found superior to trying to listen to the in person guide.  This also worked well at the next castle.  


After spending about two hours at the Stirling Castle, we headed over to the Doune Castle.  This one is noteworthy as it was where the. MontyPython film Holy Grail was filmed.  This audio guided tour was really good and made touring the castle pretty easy.  From there we drove to a location where we fed the hairy coos (highland cattle and purchased some to go sandwiches.  The service there was very slow. But the cattle were terrific.  We then drove to Loch Loman for a quick visit and restroom break.  




David got us back to the ship by 5pm for our 5:30 onboard time.  Angela and I had yet another dinner in the Allegro dining room.  My steamed clams and small shrimp was terrific as was the carrot cake dessert.


Our evening entertainment was an illusionist, Ottavio Belli, who was really good.  I spent the remainder of the evening in the Lido updating my blog and watching the sunset.  I pretty much closed down the LIDO by 10:30pm.


We have a sea day tomorrow as we make our way almost to the Arctic Circle.

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