Scotland - Bathgate 24-27 September

Bathgate 24th-27th September

After landing in our GulfStream 200 jet we were met by Benny a friend of one of Dads work colleagues. Benny is a nice guy and very funny. He took us to our pub accommodation in a town called Bathgate which is between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Can anyone think why Bathgate might be famous for?

Outside the Pub we stayed at

The front entrance to Dad's left

We are staying at the Balbairdie which is a Scottish pub with a restaurant and accommodation attached. We had a presidential suite room with 2 queen size beds. The pub manager is a lady called Lourraine. She is funny and very kind. The next day Dad had a stiff neck and headache. Oddly enough, Benny did too, must be something in the water. 

Dad went and sat in a steam room then sauna for an hour and when he came back to the pub he got the balm rubbed in his neck.

When we arrived here there was lots of Police and a car-park opposite the pub taped off. Dad says it was a crime scene. There was a white tent over one part of the car-park. We found out that that in the early hours of the day we arrived a 18 year old lassie was attacked. Benny says this sort of thing rarely happens in Bathgate so this cant be the reason why Bathgate is famous.



The crime scene outside our window



While in Scotland we went to the Edinburgh Vaults, Edinburgh Castle, Falkirk Wheel, Kings Mary Close and even a football (soccer) match - Celtic vs Hibs at Glasgow.

On Monday 27th September we sadly left Bathgate and moved to the York Hotel in York Place Edinburgh. Its similar to a B&B but nice.  Not as good as Lorraines Pub though which has atmosphere.

On Wednesday 29th September we were supposed to get the 8am train to London but it was delayed about 30 minutes. Each part of our Scottish journey will have it's own chapter, so enjoy the read.



Our Bathgate friends



Starting from the left, Lorraine and I in the front row.

Dad, Benny and John in the back row.

So what is Bathgate known for, well check out his link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Lorraine and Benny are really good friends of Susan and love her dearly. John has a closer connection being her brother. It was a privilege knowing them all they are genuine people.