Day 13 Sail and Travel to Rosyth on on Firth of Forth, Edinburgh , Scotland

Well we are about to undertake a significant change in terms of our berth in Scotland with the implementation of amendments to our itinerary as the Royal funeral arrangements processes force a myriad of amendments and changes.

We were due to travel fto Edinburgh and berth at the Cruise Terminal . However, this facility has been earmarked for use as a transport hub for people engaged with and associated with the arrangements as to the Queen’s casket being transferred from Sandringham to Holyrood Palace and then to the Cathedral in central Edinburgh where she will lie in State for several days before being transferred to London.

Consequently, our schedule has been amended. We arrive in Rosyth are are held on board. The Royal escort passes over the Bridge of forth later in the afternoon and we see the lights and helicopters overhead. We are living history as it happens. We had intended to go into Edinburgh on the afternoon and evening but quite simply that is now impossible unless we manage to find a taxi to the Station some 5 km awway. We decide to stay on board and to visit Edinburgh tomorrow morning.

The whole media process and associated matters is dominated by the Queens death and the future arrangements as to the funeral and all arrangements for excursions have been cancelled or amended. We feel for the ship’s crew. They are caught and are working furiously to make changes.

We watch the television, our excursion was cancelled. Dinner is relaxed after drinks etc.

The show is enjoyable. We look forward to tomorrow and the pageantry as the Cask is transported from Holyrood to the Cathedral.

We will participate in the process by visiting Edinburgh via the shuttle service from Rosyth. Then we will follow through and walk down to the Royal Mile and The Cathedral area, as well as enjoy Princes Street.

We were concerned as to the potential closure of nearly all Retail and associated outlets.

So we chose to leave the Ship on the morning to catch the shuttle into Edinburgh. It worked well and the 25 minute drive worked well. We exited and walked to the corner and directly across the road was the iconic and picturesque Edinburgh Castle.

We then exited and walked down Princes Street and then passed the Scots Memorial, then walked passed the Waverley Station and toward the Royal Mile. The stunning increase in people from all areas congregating at the foot of the stairs and streets leading to the Royal Mile demonstrated the massive crowd and the desire to be engaged. It also recognises the influence of the Royal family and the respect and love toward the Queen. Her passing is a shock to many. But the preparations being progressed are of interest to everyone. The security arrangements are immense.

Edinburgh is simply a stunning and beautiful city, The day is pleasant there is a degree of solemnness and seriousness but a desire to be involved.

We get swept up into this emotional day. We see the police and security, we see people of all ages experiencing the emotion, see the process and take in the history.

Simply amazing times to be here in Edinburgh and the same will occur in London over the days ahead.

There are many thousands of people in the Royal Mile, there are many issues to accommodate. We enjoy this experience over almost 4 hours, but decide to depart and return to the ship before the procession will leave Holyrood, pass through the royal Mile and then .to St Giles Cathedral.

We undertake the lengthy walk back to the pick up point and then catch the shuttle. during this transfer we observe the Prince of Wales and His Consort driving from the airport though to the Cathedral. There is great excitement on the bus.

Our transfer is a little quicker and we arrive back and then watch the procession of the Royal Casket to the Cathedral. It is also a significant occasion in terms of history and tradition.

This has been an historic and significant traditional day in Edinburgh. We were initially disappointed but the ability to participate in the history erased any concerns. The people of Edinburgh wqere simply amazing. We will long remember the crowds and the queues were uplifting. The day was fine ad clear although cold. We enjoyed our time in Edinburgh living history.