Sarah and David to Scotland

Kindred Travelers: Northbound to Inverness Day 5 – Edinburgh → Inverness Today was a travel day—no grand tours or jam-packed itineraries, just the steady rhythm of the rails carrying us north. We boarded the train in Edinburgh and settled in for the three-and-a-half-hour ride to Inverness. There wasn’t much to do except sit back, relax, and watch the scenery blur past the window—rolling green hills, scattered sheep, the occasional sleepy village. The further north we went, the wilder and more open the landscape became. Sometimes travel days are just that—time to move from one place to the next. But they also give you a moment to catch your breath, sip your tea, and simply enjoy the ride.

Kindred Travelers: Castles and Cadence Day 4 – Edinburgh Today was all about one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks—Edinburgh Castle. We trekked through the city, winding uphill to meet our walking tour group. After a few hiccups courtesy of Apple Maps (which apparently enjoys sending tourists on scenic detours), we found our guide and began our journey through centuries of history. The castle grounds have been home to a settlement for more than 3,000 years. The fortress itself, built roughly 900 years ago, has served as a garrison continuously since then—and still does today. Standing atop Castle Rock, we were treated to a sweeping 360-degree view of Edinburgh, its rooftops and spires stretching to the horizon. After the tour, we hiked back to our lodging for a much-needed nap. We were resting up for the evening’s main event: the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. I knew it would be impressive, but nothing prepared me fo...

Kindred Travelers: Stones, Steps, and Stories Day 3 – Edinburgh Today was our first full day in Edinburgh, and we decided to start it with a bit of history and tradition. Sarah found that St. Giles’ Cathedral was nearby—Edinburgh’s oldest church and the birthplace of Presbyterianism. Standing inside, surrounded by centuries of stone and stained glass, we listened as the pastor preached from the very pulpit John Knox used back in 1559. History doesn’t get much more real than that. After the service, we strolled past Edinburgh Castle, its weathered walls looming above the city, and made our way to meet a walking tour of Dean Village—the charming neighborhood we’re calling home for this leg of our journey. Our guide brought the history of the area to life, explaining how our old stone mill house fits into the story of this picturesque riverside community. Between the cobblestones, the flower-draped bridges, and the cozy old buildings, Dea...

Today was our second day of travel, and it was a full one. We landed in Iceland at 6 a.m., greeted by crisp morning air and the quiet hum of Keflavík Airport. With a four-hour layover ahead of us, Sarah and I found a cozy café and enjoyed a simple but delicious breakfast: fresh bread, cheese, and blueberry skyr. If heaven comes in a bowl, I think it might taste like that skyr. The Reykjavík airport is small—smaller than PDX—but constantly buzzing with travelers. Flights were arriving and departing for destinations all over Europe, and the atmosphere was a swirl of languages and accents. Before long, we were boarding our connecting flight to Glasgow, and just a little over two hours later, we were stepping onto Scottish soil. Rather than grab a taxi, we hopped on a city bus from the airport into town. That’s when Glasgow hit us—bustling, vibrant, and nothing like Portland, New York, or Chicago. People, people, people everywhere. In true traveler fashion, we missed our stop...

Portland → Reykjavík There’s something magical about the start of a trip—when the bags are stowed, the engines hum, and the adventure officially begins. Sarah and I are currently somewhere high above the clouds, cruising toward Reykjavík in the cushy embrace of first class. And let me tell you, we are loving the pampering. Our stewardess, Kalekelo, greeted us with a warm smile and handed over a printed menu of drinks. There were so many kinds of gin that I half expected a tasting flight, but in the end, we both went for a limoncello cocktail—bright, citrusy, and just the right kind of refreshing for a long-haul flight. Paired with warm pretzels, it was the perfect kickoff toast to our adventure. We’ll definitely have to recreate it for Cindy when we’re back home. Dinner service is coming up, and the menu looks like something from a high-end bistro. We start with yellowtail sashimi—light, delicate, and the perfect appetizer at 30,000 feet. For the main course, Sarah is going for mush...