Scotland - June 2022

Trip report for June 10 - 21, 2022 on our time in Scotland. My wife and I enjoyed our 20th anniversary trip and the kids stayed home this time.
1. We flew into Edinburgh on Saturday and took the train immediately to Glasgow. We enjoyed the hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Glasgow, though we got a very cold rain for part of it (we were prepared but it was still chilly!). Enjoyed a vibrant city. We loved Sunday morning hike up to the Necropolis behind Glasgow Cathedral (highly recommended) before taking bus on Sunday to Bridge of Orchy.
2. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we hiked 37 miles on the West Highland Way, from Bridge of Orchy to Fort William. We are 47 years old and reasonably fit and loved the trail (even if the footing was difficult at times). We booked through Hillwalk Tours (they handled b&b arrangements, travel maps/notes, luggage transport, etc. for a reasonable price).
3. We found a lovely sense of community on the trail - many of the same people hiking the same segments would see each other on the trail and then again in the pubs at each stop in the evening. We walked the final hour of the trail on Day 2 into Kinlochleven with our new friends from Belfast, and then sat together as we enjoyed after-dinner pints at The Tailrace Inn located in town. Americans, Scots, Irish and others shared the experience of being out on the trail together and that was perhaps the best part of it all.
4. We were in Fort William only one evening, but enjoyed an evening talking with new friends from Bathgate (near Edinburgh) who were at the table next to us as we enjoyed dinner and a drink or two at The Grog & Gruel. The issue of Scottish independence came up - they brought it up - and the husband and wife were on opposite sides of the issue. We just watched and listened as they each made their case to us, for some reason, after perhaps one drink more than needed.
5. From Fort William, we took the train to Edinburgh on Thursday and enjoyed 2 nights (which became 5 nights - more on that in a moment) in the New Town area not far from St. Andrew Square. We have been to Edinburgh before and didn't feel a need to do the castle or much of the Royal Mile again. We preferred the energy in the New Town honestly and it made a handy base. Le Monde hotel on George Street was a pleasant surprise, though we booked well in advance to get the best rates.
6. The weather was mostly rain and wind for the first 5 days or so, and then some partly cloudy skies. When on one of our last days the weather was sunny and nearly 70 degrees, the whole town seemed to open up like a flower. I love Edinburgh (Scotland really) in the rain, but it was nice to see it glow in the summer late evening sun too (some amazing postcard images of the castle from Princes Street).
7. On Saturday, we were supposed to fly home. A mechanical problem on the plane resulted in a canceled flight and a bit of a mess at the airport that took nearly 7 hours to sort out. We ended up with 3 extra nights (!) in Edinburgh, for a total of 5 nights there in all.
8. On Sunday, our first extra day, we took a spur of the moment day trip to Stirling. We loved Stirling as it's small, wonderfully historical, not overrun with tourists and a delight for a short visit. The castle is a highlight, but the Holy Rude church near the castle is a much less crowded and lovely spot. We had 2 return trains canceled so we kept going back to the pub (No.2 Baker Street) for another pint while waited for a train actually going back to Edinburgh on Sunday evening.
9. On Monday, we explored the Royal Botanical Garden (lovely!) on a sunny day and it seemed like the whole city was out enjoying the weather.
Scotland is probably our favorite place in Europe - the friendly people, the wonderful history and architecture, and even the moody weather all appeal to my wife and I like no other place. Even with 3 extra unplanned days (not great actually), we are already talking about how and when we can go back.
Steve