Holyrood Palace and more on the Royal Mile

Entrance to Hollyrood Palace

Okay, so I am a day behind on the blog.  What I posted yesterday actually took place the day before and this blog is what we did yesterday.  We decided to split up again today.  The boys (except maybe Keeghan) are castled out and decided to try something different and so went to Our Dynamic Earth which is an interactive display about the evolution of earth and its inhabitants.  When it started with the Big Bang we thought for sure it would be a hit with at least Keeghan, but I think it got a luke warm rating.  Aidan just wants to find a beach or a pool and go swimming.  He has really been a trooper.  Grannie and I decided we should see Holyrood Palace because we were right there and almost rubbed elbows with the Royals at the wedding.  It was a rainy day so we donned our rain gear and brellies and off we went.  Definitely not as grand as Buckingham Palace but still full of splendor and history.  The kids thought it would have been fun growing up in Buckingham because it was a great place to play hide and seek, especially when they learned of a secret passageway.  I think they would have found the same here.  As Zara's wedding was only 3 days prior they were still dismantling what looked like a dance floor and plastic roofed area in the central courtyard.  Oh to have a grand party and have all these people set it up and take it down for you.  Just show up and have a grand time.  More brutal history as well with Queen Mary of Scots personal secretary David Rizzio being murdered by her husband and then a year later her husband being murdered by her lover and soon there after being taken to the London Tower and subsequently being beheaded for treason.  Maybe being Royal wouldn't be so hot after all.  We all met back at the apartment for lunch.  The boys had stopped back at the bagpipe store and were busily practicing on their Irish Whistles and the Chanter - not surprisingly within the hour they were playing a few recognizable tunes.  Poppa, Cael & Aidan decided to take the rest of the day off while Dave, Grannie, Keeghan and I marched on.  We poked around some more shops on the Royal Mile - actually found some authentic souvenirs in the form of pewter celtic jewelry and we ordered a custom kilt in ancient McLennan Tartan that is measured to fit Dave, but as the boys get older has some adjustments built in so they can share.  Keeghan was really excited about this - already planning which events he could wear it to :)  Aidan is thrilled with his plaid tam and scarf, putting it on first thing in the morning today and walking around with a huge grin on his face.  He at first tried to wear the scarf like a kilt without much success and so he too will be excited to wear the kilt some day.  Had a take out dinner of panini's, packed up and booked a cab to take us to pick up our rental van - could be an adventure!