Coastline

Granton Beach

Let's keep in mind that Scotland has fewer people and a smaller land mass than Virginia. Keep in mind that Scotland is half of an island (the other half is England and Wales), and Scotland includes over 900 islands. Consequently, Scotland has a lot of coastline. Over 12,000 miles of coastline. That is double the coastal length of the lower 48 states in the US. 

No surprise that Edinburgh is on the coast. And no surprise that a couple of our routine exercise walking routes take us along the coast (see photo). We pass rocky/craggy beaches, harbors, upscale apartment buildings, an ocean liner port, and large marine industrial areas. We also pass the Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, the former royal yacht of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Britannia was the only vessel in the Royal Navy to have her own 24-hour laundry; up to 600 shirts could pass through the washers and dryers in one day. It continues to be voted Scotland's best visitor attraction (we have not gone).