Summer 2011 at Cambridge University: Trip to Scotland and Richmond

The drive to Edinburgh, Scotland from Cambridge was absolutely beautiful. Tons of sheep and cows and green fields and stone fences, morphing into hills with heather and evergreen trees once we got to Scotland. On the way we stopped in the charming Yorkshire town of Richmond, where we climbed up the 12th century castle and then got caught in a downpour on the way back down (which turned out to be a theme for the next few days!). In Edinburgh we stayed in a hotel (used as a dorm for the University of Edinburgh during the term) associated with the John McIntyre Conference Centre, which was really nice and had great views over the rest of the city and Holyrood Park. The first night we went out to a pub on the Royal Mile called...wait for it...The Royal Mile. There was a good mix of PKP students and locals, as well as an acoustic guitarist (miked so loudly no one could hear themselves think) playing remakes of U2, Beatles, and other British bands. The most memorable part of the evening occurred on our way back to campus, when we ran into a local who helped us all fix our cameras and put them on the proper settings to take high quality pictures in the dark. Such kind people in Scotland! It's one of the best things about this country. TONS of pictures below! http://www.flickr.com/photos/donnahorning/sets/72157627038402653/