God Save The Queen, and Ryanair

October 1, 2019 · by Dano · in Scotland

Being the “spare no expense” type travelers that we are, we chose Ryanair as our airline to get us from Sweden to Scotland. We’ve flown Ryanair several times and if you know the secret, they can be a real bargain. For example, we flew from Munich Hahn to Athens, Greece for $.99, no joke. Luggage cost 25EUR each but the seat ticket was only $.99! This flight wasn’t that good of a bargain, cost was about $45.00USD for our 1-way ticket, with assigned seats and priority boarding. Now the secret. Ryanair lets you check in 90-days before the flight. Once you check in, you need to print out your tickets, they do not accept electronic versions of your ticket. This is where the costs can start to add up. For Ryanair to print out your ticket for you, the cost is 40EUR, per ticket! No exaggeration! Then if you have a cabin bag, a checked bag, want an assigned seat, first to board, all extra costs. If you know this before you arrive, you’re ahead of the game and getting to your destination isn’t a big deal. If not, break out the leather!

Flight was almost uneventful, that is until we landed. Seems that the Edinburgh airport ground authority forgot to tell customs that an international flight is arriving. The customs chaps all went out to lunch at the local pub so no one was watching the border, or airport. Not a problem for us, this is our destination. But those poor souls that were making connections, got a little dicey. Fortunately, Ryanair also sells lottery tickets on board their flights so maybe one of the unlucky ones, got lucky. That is another unusual characteristic of Ryanair, throughout the entire flight, they are selling something, perfume, wines, jewelry, chocolates, and of course, lottery tickets.

OK, the boys are back from lunch so we processed through customs, except for that wife of mine. Seems her passport and facial scan didn’t match up with her passport so over to live screening. At least that’s what they said. I think it was due to her time at the Company or Seal Team 2-1/4 that got us delayed.

Cleared customs and made the bus to Edinburgh city center where we’ll spend the night before heading to Crieff, our home for the next month. Our hotel is located across from Waverly station and the Royal Mile, where Edinburgh castle is located. Looks really pretty at night. Dropped our bags and decided to wander the streets for a while then find a place to have dinner.

Did a little walking but the weather had turned cold, so off to a restaurant. When we arrived in Edinburgh, it was overcast, but now it’s drizzling, and cold, about 45⁰. Dinner tonight will be at…..Tiles pub. Perfect! Tiles is a local pub about 3 blocks off the main drag in Edinburgh. Their name is derived from that fact that the entire place is covered in tile, hence, Tiles. About 30 brews on tap, good pub grub so this is the place. Lots of good things on the menu, but before you ask, yes, the wife couldn’t resist trying the deep- fried haggis.

Edinburgh Castle

Deep-fried haggis (on the outside)

Fountain in the park below the Royal Mile

For me, fish & chips was perfect with just a couple of bites of haggis. Collette had soup and as I said, haggis. Drinks were a little weak, took some getting used to. Here in the UK, a standard measure for alcohol is an exact measure, no heavy hands or extra splash of the sauce. This is so the patron next to you can’t complain that they didn’t get the same amount of alcohol because the bartender is your friend. A bartender can be fined, lose their job and be banned from bar tending for life if they are found guilty of cheating. Got to love the UK, they know where to focus enforcement of the law.

Carrot & lentil soup

Haddock & chips

The inside story on deep-fried haggis

Done for today. Time to catch a few winks so tomorrow we can start our journey to Crieff.

Morning came early. The bed in the hotel was very comfortable so we both had a good night’s sleep. Found a nice restaurant for breakfast, Ivy on the Square. I ordered the traditional Scottish breakfast that included eggs, potato cake, mushroom, bacon, sausage, fried tomato, baked beans, black pudding, toast and …..fried haggis. I went light since we were traveling today. The Misses had poached eggs on toast, boring! The surprise was the haggis, it wasn’t bad! Guess it all depends on where you get it and what recipe they use. The one I had for breakfast was a bit grainier than Collette’s deep-fried haggis. Hate to say it but it wasn’t bad at all.

Full Scottish breakfast

Full belly so off to the train for our 1-hour ride to the small town of Dublane where we then catch bus #15A to Crieff. Beautiful day, partly cloudy and warmer than yesterday, maybe in the mid 50’s. Train and bus ride all worked out fine, got to the house and even had time to go get groceries before calling it a day. Tomorrow we’ll explore the area and take a day to relax.