Edinburgh really looks quite old... I guess that's because it is, but it just seemed to look a lot older than most places we have been to. Edinburgh has a great history, however I know very little about it. It was a little cold while we were there and quite windy - which is my least favourite weather ever. But we had a nice day seeing some of the sights that attract over 1 million overseas visitors a year!!
This is the Scott Monument, which commemorates the work of the poet Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). You can walk up it, and get a good view in all directions.... well that's what they say - we didn't fancy walking up 287 steps with 2 little girls! The Scott Monument is a gothic tower and was designed by George Meikle Kemp - who never actually got to see it finished because he drowned in the Union Canal. It was completed in 1844, and is built from light sandstone. Over time though the stonework has darkened from the pollution in the air! (And I don't think it actually looks all that good... it kinda looks evil!)
When it started to rain we decided to jump on the tour bus. This was our tour guide. He was pretty good and handled the annoying Americans well!!! He told us a few interesting stories - none of which I can remember enough to re-tell, but it was good at the time. I must say... I do love the Scottish accent!
We got off the bus just outside The Edinburgh Castle and walked up The Royal Mile and into the castle. The views were amazing!
*And.... did you know that the term panorama was originally coined by the painter Robert Barker to describe his panoramic paintings of Edinburgh!!!
The castle goes way back - I'll just start in AD 638 when the fortress on the rock was renamed Edinburgh previously known as Din Eidyn. Around 1130 David I builds a royal castle on the rock, which includes a chapel dedicated to his mother Queen Margaret. The chapel still stands today and is the oldest part of the castle. Below is a photo of the Chapel sitting at nearly the top of the castle.
In 1566 Mary Queen of Scots gave birth in the castle to her only child, the future King James VI of Scotland and I of England.
Edinburgh is made up of the Old Town and the New Town, and that's exactly what they call it. The New Town was built in the 18th century to help out with the increasingly crowded Old Town. It seemed like it was going to be easy at first, to see which part was the Old Town and which the New, but I got a little confused with it all in the end!
Still in the Castle...
This was probably my favourite part of the castle, underneath where the prisoners were held. I like seeing stuff like this.... imagining what life must have been like for some of these people.
Around Edinburgh...
We really enjoyed Scotland, even though it was only a short stay. It would have been nice to see more of the Scottish country-side further north but Edinburgh was plenty interesting. We heard and saw lots of things about Mary, Queen of Scots and left feeling that they are all quite proud of her! Which then brought on a bit of a fascination with her - her story is quite detailed and hard to follow at times, but really very interesting. With mums help I think I have kinda just about worked out where she fits in to it all!!
One thing about Scotland was that it stayed light quite late. These photos were taken at 11:21PM from our apartment! People were out roaming around and washing their cars like it was the middle of the day!! I started to imagine what it must be like in Finland!!
12 comments:
awesome. I really like the evil gothic castle, would like to see it. all the castles are brilliant.
–Leigh
Its lookslike a big city. Love the photo of the girls in the red phone box. So cute.
I'd love to see that 'panoramic' view for myself one day. The Castle looks so intriguing, makes me want to explore inside, checking for ghost!!! mwa ha ha ha
wow wow wow
such a dream you gusy ae living :)
lv bron
x
looks fantastic...beautiful views and pictures. Can't believe how light it is at 11pm at night- that would be cool to stretch out the day and clean the car at night! Emily looks really grown up in these pics.
Oh wow - how light is it late at night! That would be so strange. Cool red phone box too! Beautiful place.
wow... you guys sure are having fun! I'm amazed at all the information you have to write on your blog. It's awesome how you remember it all, especially dates etc!
Wonderful that your all getting to see such a beautiful part of the world!
How hard is it getting the girls into bed when it's so light? That's amazing!
I am so jealous that you guys whent to Scotland, i would love to go their. The old buildings look excellent, gr8 photos! xx
Hello in Britain! What a neat Scottish experience you have had. Thanks for sharing so much about the places you visit.
The girls look like they are enjoying it too. Och Aye!!
Oh I love reading your posts Han! Have you got family with you now?? Hope you are having fun.
Those night time photos are surreal. I stayed in northern Scotland on an airforce base in the middle of summer with my uncle and thought it was WONDERFUL and such an adventure. If you ever get to go, go to the Isle of Skye Han.
Scotland the Brave...my roots ...i soaked up everyone of your pics...Castles, dungeons, wooly sheep, heath lands, windy moorland roads,soaking misty rains, Betrix Potter(Hattie has just discovered her here on DVD her with me and we love Mrs Tiggly Winkle and the very Naughty Peter Rabbit. What a great reunion it must have been for Mick catching up with a fellow classmate from Med School.... and the girls looked like they had a whole heap of fun...soon to have more when Micks mum and grand mother arrive...Loving your blog Hannah
Post a Comment