Europe 2023 August 24th Day 21 - Stirling and Farewell Larbert

This morning was a reasonable hour to arise from bed. After some breakfast of yoghurt and muesli with a nice plunger (pressed) coffee from Andrew we set about folding our little bit of laundry now dry from yesterday and packing the bags ready to head to Glasgow this afternoon.

Andrew had arranged a short visit around Stirling this morning and off we set at 10am to Stirling Castle. After finding a car park we had a good walk around the area around the castle and the ancient streets and buildings that surround, including the old gaol (1887).

 We then headed down into the town and found a great spot Andrew had obviously frequented before for some morning tea including a lovely cinnamon scroll for me. We then had a little walk around and a look inside a very good bottle shop behind the University that had an excellent selection of whisky and wine. It was then back into the car and a gentle climb up some hills with spectacular views over the countryside and past a lone hotel stuck in the middle of nowhere; highly unlikely to receive much passing trade. Pass this to a monument to the battle of Sheriff Muir 1715 in which many McCraes were killed. 

It was then on back to Andrews to bid farewell and return the Italian stallion to the Europcar office at Leith.It was a bit over an hour by the ringroad to the office and after returning the car we jumped in a taxi back to Waverley station to get a train to Glasgow. Angry woman at the car rental as her car wasn't ready due to an accident on the bridges that had held up many returns and also staff that weren't able to get into work yet. Chill lady 😂 Farewell Italian stallion.

At the back entrance to the station our lovely driver had delivered us to it was a very quick and easy entry to the station. I grabbed the tickets while Jane got food at M&S of course. Stupid machine gave me a return journey instead of one way. Went and stood in line and waited patiently for my turn only to find the difference was 20p each, so not worth the hassle. Quickly then rushed to get the 2.15 express train and a very pleasant 35 minutes and we were getting off at Queen Street station in the centre of Glasgow.

Got our bearings and headed off up hill to the Abode hotel which was a little longer than indicated and slightly warm in the little bit of warm weather that suddenly decided to appear.

We booked in and immediately lay down for a quick nanna nap for 45 minutes as we were meeting Andrew for a drink and dinner. Andrew had booked in to see the Banksy exhibition at the Glasgow GOMA in the afternoon and decided we'd have one last catchup.

We met at the Pot Still which was too busy, so walked around to the Drum and monkey where we found a table and partook of a couple ales. 

Andrew had booked into the Doppio Malton (Italian restaurant chain who specialise in 13 types of their own brewed beer). So therefore we enjoyed another beer with our genuine Glaswegian burgers and risotto 😂😂. During the meal I received notification of the cancellation of the Land's End parking fine, so some good news as well 

We bid a final farewell to Andrew and headed back to the hotel for a well deserved sleep, setting the alarm for 7am so we could have some breakfast and get down to the GOMA and see if we could pick up some walkup tickets to Banksy.