After leaving The Hermitage, Liz took us to the small village of Dunkeld, home of the Duke of Atholl and Dunkeld Cathedral. She gave us a brief orientation walk, then we had free time to explore. This is what I love about Rick Steves tours-time on your own to do as you wish! I spent my time walking through the small village and took pictures of the streets, gardens, and shop windows, stopped for a picnic lunch in the local grocery, then took my lunch back to Dunkeld Cathedral to sit by the river and munch. I was joined by a bird that wanted some of my lunch. After lunch, I explored the Cathedral. Part of it was under restoration, but you could still go inside. Services are still held here. I still had some time, so I explored the shops. I found a warm alpaca scarf in one of the shops and decided to get it. It has been a little chilly here and I did not bring one from home. Usually when I travel, my pictures are my only souvenirs, but this was a valuable purchase as I learned when we took the ferry on Loch Ness later in the trip! We met our coach at 3:00 pm, arrive via the scenic route in Kenmore around 4:00 pm, and had free time until our dinner at 6:30 pm. After dinner, Liz had a surprise for us. We met in one of the hotel rooms and Liz had arranged for us to be entertained by Gillie, a lady who has been playing bagpipe for 51 years. She told us about the bagpipe, the significance of the Scottish tartan, and told us stories of haggis. Then she gave anyone who wanted a chance at playing the bagpipe. She was very entertaining! I recognized her from the Highland Games bagpipe band!

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