Today I went on the Maid of the Forth to Inchcolm Island Abbey. We all got an upclose look at the three bridges of the Firth of Forth. The oldest built in the 1880’s and probably the most structurally sound! It’s a cantilever bridge that trains cross, requires minimal maintenance. It’s just astounding that this was built so long ago, it is one of Scotlands marvels. The other bridge was built in the 1960’s and has recently been diagnosed with some of the cables degrading. It’s still structurally sound (so the experts say). Just in case though, lets build a replacement, have it up and running by 2017 and take a wee closer look.

Onto the Island and Abbey, but just before we dock, there is a small island that greets us called INCH GNOME:

Hopefully you can zoom in and see all of the gnomes in their ‘natural habitat’!!

The Abbey:

Short story about the Abbey and how it came to be, and how the English eventually tried to destroy it (Bloody English).

Crossing the Forth in 1123, Alexander the first was blown off course and sought shelter at Inchcolm. Stormbound for three days, he and his buds were looked after by a hermit, who shared his meager diet of milk from a single cow, mussels and small fish. Afterwards Alexander was so grateful he vowed to build a monastery on the Island but died before he could. In 1124 King David the first honors his brothers wishes and founds the monastery.  English raiders badly damaged it in the 1300’s.

The walk around and the views:

The Island is a sanctuary to many sea birds. You can walk freely throughout the Island, the only suggestion is to stay on the short grass path, and not venture into the longer grass, as to not be attacked by the nesting gulls. They grow some bigly (yuge) gulls here! I think POTUS would agree (ha ha).

They squawked when I walked by, but did not seem to mind terribly that I was there.

An impressive show of numbers (also reminded me of the movie The Birds).

The other end of the Island was used as a look out station during WW2.

You never truly walk alone:

This was the coldest day by far! I had to buy a nerdy woolly cap, but wore it, thankful for it!

So, all this history was very interesting (to me, anyway!). The real reason I wanted to come here was to maybe see those cheeky little devils, know as Puffins.

Fortunately they have them in the gift shop, in case you don’t get to see them in person! At least this way I get to bring one home.

One more day, one more tour. As much as I have absolutely loved this trip, Home is calling me back.