This isn't it, this is the Scottish Parliament building with Salisbury Crags in the background. But it's adjacent to Our Dynamic Earth, which I've posted photos of already.
After paying a ridiculous amount of money, the kids and I were subjected to a series of horrifying (for them) experiences. We started in a "Time Machine"--an elevator that slowly brought us down one flight while projecting flashing lights and loud sound effects of various news events which my kids knew nothing about.
Then we entered a scary, darkened theatre to watch a show on the Big Bang. Which started with, the Big Bang. I was certain Helena would pee her pants at that. I enjoyed Ewan McGregor's voiceover, but the kids were just scared by the booming voice.
Then the volcano exhibit--with scary, jarring floor-shifting device. Greeeeat.
Then the 5-screen surround exhibit on ice ages and icebergs.
Then the deep-sea ocean with WAY TOO LOUD recorded waves and 25-foot-long curtains waving scarily at the kids.
Did I mention that we're alone through this whole thing? Nobody else was in any of the exhibits with us--adding to the creepy factor immeasurably.
Then the walk through the prehistoric giant plants, fake dinosaur, life-sized Australopithecine sculpture and into the movie that they advertised with a "if you start feeling ill, close your eyes." Helena, who gets motion sickness, started to cry. So we opted to skip that.
Which led to the Tropical Rainforest--with fake lightning storm. Yeah, scary, again.
Then the half hour movie that made Helena ill.
I'm so glad I spent $40 to torture my kids for 90 minutes.
At the end, they raced down to check out this replica standing stone. Fans/readers of the Gabaldon Outlander books will understand why I was half-expecting it to be making a screaming sound--just to complete the horror of the afternoon for the whole family. It didn't, so we're safe--no more time travelling in Scotland for this family.
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