Many months ago, before we embarked on this challenge, we booked tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Something we have wanted to see for many years. Having an interest in following the Royal Marines Band Service to various events, now was the ideal time to go to the Tattoo as they were the main feature of this years spectacular. Of course, now we are visiting Lifeboat Stations it made a lot of sense to extend our trip and add to our numbers.
RNLI Grace Darling Museum
So, early on Tuesday morning off we set up the Great North Road enroute to Edinburgh. On the way we stopped at the Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh. The town, overlooked by an impressive castle, was packed with holiday makers but after finding a sneaky parking space we popped into the museum. Established in 1938, the museum celebrates the life of the young Lighthouse Keepers daughter who, in 1838 set out in a rowing boat with her father to save the lives of passengers of the stricken SS Forfarshire. It was a fascinating museum depicting an incredible feat of a young lady. We took a moment to explore St. Aidens Church where Grace was laid to rest after succumbing to Turberculosis just four years after the heroic rescue.
Onwards to Edinburgh and we arrived at our hotel to relax after the journey.
Kinghorn Lifeboat Station
On Wednesday morning we set off for our first Scottish Lifeboat Station visit. Crossing the Firth of Forth over the Queensferry Bridge we enjoyed spectacular views of both the Forth Road Bridge and the iconic Forth Rail Bridge. We soon arrived at our first stop, Kinghorn. A beautiful little village with a fabulous view over the Forth. We parked in a little carpark next to a Garage and headed down to the station. We were met by crew member Scott who spotted us at the Garage and Lifeboat Operations Manager Liz. Both kindly showed us around the station and their Atlantic 85 Lifeboat, Tommy Niven (B-836), before we sat in the Ops room for a lovely cup of tea and a chat with Liz.
Anstruther Lifeboat Station
On then to Anstruther, 40 minutes up the coast. We popped into the shop and got chatting with the lovely volunteer and the Treasurer of the Station. We were able to meet Local Press Officer and Scotland Region Communications Officer, Martin and Coxwain, Michael. Anstruther have a Mersey Class boat called Kingdom of Fife (12-15) which is soon leaving the station to be replaced by a Shannon Class, Robert & Catherine Steen (13-47). The crew were completing training and assessments on the Shannon and so were pretty busy when we arrived. This boat is a Memory Lifeboat and we took a moment to look at the names on the decal. Find out more about Launch a Memory Lifeboats at the link below
Time for lunch and it would have been madness not to try the famous Anstruther Fish & Chips.
Queensferry Lifeboat Station
Back on the road, we headed back across the Forth to Queensferry, a lovely little village right at the foot of the Forth Bridge. When we arrived the area around the lifeboat station was buzzing with coaches and tourists embarking a cruise ship anchored in the Forth. Because of this we were unable to gain access to the Lifeboat Station as that is where the launches were taking the passengers back to the ship. We popped in the shop and chatted with the lovely volunteer who suggested having a word with the Coastguard Security to see if we could gain access to take the required visit photo. This we did and he very kindly let us through the gate. Photo taken and we headed across the road for a cup of tea and a scone. Unfortunately, we were unable to see the Lifeboat in the station, however, as we left the café, the boat was being taken down the slipway and crew were preparing to launch. They had been called to launch on service. We were able to watch the Atlantic 85, Jimmie Caircross (B-851) launch and head away down the Forth. We found out later that evening the the casualty was rescued and returned to shore safe and well.
We headed back to the hotel and prepared for the evening at the Tattoo. Whilst at Anstruther, Martin gave us a heads up that some senior members of the RNLI would be having a photo shoot at the Floral Clock in Princes Street Gardens at 7pm. He recommended that we popped down there on our way to the Castle which we duly did. The clock was very impressive, planted to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the RNLI. We were met by several RNLI staff one of which, Angie, is an Associate Director and responsible for the 200th year celebrations around the country and the design of the floral clock. Very surprisingly, when it was time to take the group photo they invited us in as well. It was lovely to meet the team and we exchanged details with Angie and promised to keep in contact.
Unfortunately, the weather was against us. Strong winds and heavy rain made for an interesting experience sitting high in the stands on Edinburgh Castle. However, it did not detract from the incredible spectacle of the Military Tattoo. Wet and cold we returned to the hotel for a good night sleep.
Watch out for the next blog as we continue our journey heading down the Northeast Coast
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