29 August 2015 - A day in Edinburgh

We had a lovely breakfast followed by a walk by the North Esk River near Jane and Grant's house in Bankmill Lane.  Accompanied by their very sweet Dachshunds, Peaty and Sadie, the kids loved the walk .  It was a lovely walk made even better by wild raspberries.

North Esk River

Jane with Sadie and Peaty

The kids are besotted by the little dachshunds

Who wants a doggie?

Dachels taking Luke for a walk

We left Jane to catch up on her various tasks and drove into Edinburgh and took the bus 47 from Park and Ride.  We alighted the bus not really knowing where we were but soon spotted the Castle - who could miss it?!  It is built on a huge rock over looking the city.

Edinburgh Castle

Luke with deer skull at the RSPB stand at the market beneath the Castle

Imposing!

Robert the Bruce

The queue! - orderly of course!

After a brief queue and departing with 62 Pounds for our entrance, we joined the crowds looking around the Castle.  It is huge and we there for several hours.

History within, outside and on its rocky walls

AND we saw the fireworks flashing and cracking over the castle - AMAZING!!!

The view is magnificent.  It was a clear day and we could see to the water.

The Last Sleep - lots of gruesome history here!

The Forewall

From St Margaret's Chapel - this is from a page in a gospel book from this beautiful little chapel, thought to be the oldest building in Edinburgh.

St Margaret's Chapel is the oldest building in Edinburgh.  Margaret (1047 - 1093), the "Pearl of Scotland", was about 23 when she married Malcolm III of Scotland in 1070 who was much older than she was.  She apparently lived the "ordered life of prayer and work".  Malcolm adored her and she maintained a simple way of living regarding herself aa only a steward for the riches of royal life.  Malcolm and Margaret travelled to Iona, the cradle of Christianity in Scotland, and rebuilt the monastery there.  She had eight children, one being King David I of Scotland.  She was canonised by the Church of Rome.  She had lived her life spending long hours in prayer and was admired by all.

Mons Meg

Mons Meg, a bombard given to King James II of Scotland was built in 1449.  It was taken to the Tower of London but Sir Walter Scott campaigned for its return which was achieved in 1829.

Cannon fodder

The castle is built as a fortress and towers over Edinburgh. It is possible that humans have lived here since 2 AD.  There has been a royal castle on the rock since the reign of David I (1124-53) and it was a royal residence until 1603 when the Union of the Crowns took place and Scotland and England were united. King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England.    The Castle continued as a military barracks and has seen many conflicts.

 The castle also now houses several military museums which are all a bit different but there was so much information to take in.

Edinburgh from the Castle

Lunch outside The Scottish war Memorial

Handstand outside the War Memorial

We were not permitted to take photos inside the War Memorial. It is grand and a fitting tribute to the Scots in WWI.  It is ornate with thistles and Scottish themes.

Somehow I love the old diamond shaped view everyone in those days had.

Restored panels with James and Margaret's names

One of five cannons facing over the city.

Cheeky!

Annika's turn

...and Tim!

We, by chance, coincided our visit with the Edinburgh Festival so the streets were absolutely packed with street performers and crowds!  The atmosphere was great and it seemed like the city never stopped.  In a different life time, I would love to plan to see some performances which were in every available venue.

Street musicians

The Royal Mile

My favourite street statue

There are many street statues from Marie Antoinette to a copper woman but the bicycle guy was my favourite.  We wandered about and found a bit of peace and quiet from all the noise in St Giles Cathedral, a grand building.  I asked the verger there about the winged oxen depicted over Luke and the other symbols for Matthew (a man), Mark (a lion) and John (an eagle).  He couldn't tell me why the oxen and lion were winged but could say that these symbols were common.  He also said that we would find winged lions all over Venice's St Mark's Square so we will look for them when we arrive there in a couple of months.

Inside St Giles Cathedral - some now familiar coat of arms on the flags: Strawberry flower for Frasers, Dogs for the Forbes clan

John Knox

Some other street entertainment

Cute little alleys all going off from the Royal Mile - it was so tempting to explore them all.

Down Advocate's Close

Another street statue that we saw blink!

Grant, Jane's husband, is a tour guide for German tourists travelling in Scotland.  Our evening in Edinburgh coincided with his tour so while he dropped his group at the Tattoo, he joined us for dinner.  We had a short time in a queue at Pizza Express, which was excellent given the number of people in Edinburgh.  Ali, Jane and Grant's boarder came, too.  It was noisy and fun.

Karl, Tim and Ali

Jane and Grant

Ali and Jane

A family shot!

Grant, generously offered to show us around, before he had to meet his tour group at the end of their visit to the Tattoo.  He even explained the word "tattoo" was a word taken from Dutch, said by soldiers who had to finish up their drinking half an hour before they were on duty.  Grant led us down the Royal Mile to the Elephant House where J K Rowling penned the first Harry Potter book.

Even Alexander McCall Smith wrote in this cafe!  I would love to go there and be inspired.

A cafe for my next visit to Edinburgh!

Grant took us down to Greyfriar's Bobby who was a dear little dog who sat by his master, John Gray's graveside for many years and the people of Edinburgh fed him.  Both the dog and his master are buried in Greyfriar's Churchyard.

Greyfriar's Bobby

There are plenty of pubs so why not call one: Greyfriar's Bobby!

Lovely old Edinburgh scene by churchyard.

The churchyard is also of historic significance in that the Covenanters, a group of Christians who refused to accept the divine right of the Monarchy, were persecuted for their beliefs and suffered the wrath of the King's followers.  There were many executed in this churchyard, and in Grassmarket and their heads were displayed on poles as a disincentive to others who may  have chosen to hold the Covenanter's doctrines.

  

Grant in his tartan kilt being tour guide!

This pub in Grassmarket was the place where those being hanged nearby had their last drink - play on words noted!

We were just in time to wander up the hill again to see a fabulous display of fireworks at the end of the Tattoo coming from the Castle.  What's more we could hear the music  of the National Anthem and Auld Lang Syne which Grant, Karl and I sang loudly and held hands with everyone as is the tradition!  How very special!  We farewelled Grant as he dashed off to meet his tour group and Jane drove the kids and I back to her place and Ali drove Karl back to the car.  I was glad not to have to take the bus from Park and Ride as I reckon the crowds would have been huge.  What a fabulous day we had!