Our New Home in Edinburgh, Scotland

I am not sure how many times I have shared this but......WE LOVE EDINBURGH!!!!

With that said I have found the PERFECT place for Deb and I to rent.

It's our own beautiful medieval castle....a wee bit smaller that the Queen's but still quite lovely for the two of us.   Prime location.   It is right off Prince Street and a short 10 minute bus ride to the Royal Mile.

It is a well established neighbourhood with, respectfully, very quiet neighbours.

It was originally used by the towns workers who watched for grave robbers back in the day.

I think it is gorgeous.

But I wouldn't want to stay there by myself.

Anyone interested in visiting?

A beautiful 1700 century fountain just around the corner.

This rock might need to be removed?  I tried to budge it myself....notta!

Maybe we can plant flowers around it?

And what do you think of our new backyard?

I love the landscape.

Home away from home.

Good-bye to the city of Edinburgh and Scotland.

But we say......hello Belfast, Ireland.

The Legend of Rosslyn Chapel

Rosslyn Chapel is a 30 minute bus ride from downtown Edinburgh.  We actually were driving in the country with sheep, horses, lots of farm land and we found ourselves closer to the mountains.

Roslin is a very small sleepy hamlet.  There are many hiking trails around the town and the chapel that we would like to explore on another visit.

Following a path, with a stone wall fence covered with green moss, I am recalling the book and movie, 'The Da Vinci Code.'  His book explains one of the legends of the chapel.  Some call it fiction....even Dan Brown...but it does give food for thought.

Dan Brown book has helped bring many tourists to this place to experience the power, and see for themselves, this beautiful Chapel of legends and myths.

There are many great mysteries surrounding this church.

One, in 'The Da Vinci Code' is that it was the final resting place of the Holy Grail hidden in this church.  Carried by the Knight's Templar to Scotland.  The Holy Grail is very sacred to Christians throughout the world.  Believed to be a cup or dish that Jesus used at The Last Supper it is said to have miraculous powers.  Dan Brown writes in his novel that the Holy Grail is actually Christ's bloodline, a descendant of his, or even Mary Magdalene? His wife?

See the movie or read the book before you visit this chapel.

This chapel was built in 1456 by Sir William St. Clair, 1st Earl of Caithness.

(The last name has been spelled different ways...Sinclair, Sainteclaire, Saintclair)

He felt blessed in his life and wanted to give something back.  

Interesting tidbit:  There is also myth or legend that says that Sir William St. Clair had in his possession a piece of the 'Holy Rood' or 'True Cross.'  A piece of the crucifixion cross that Jesus was nailed to and died on?

The chapel was built of sand stone which for almost 700 years has absorbed the wet climate of Scotland.  For at least 3 centuries it was left for ruins and was covered with green moss inside and out.  It has been going through an extensive renovation and conservation.  It is expected to cost about 13 million sterling pounds.

Interesting note:  Tom Hanks made a very generous donation to the project.

Many writers and poets, painters and photographers have made a pilgrimage to this chapel and have been enthralled with it.

Such as poets Robbie Burns, Sir Walter Scott and William Wordsworth.

Sir Walter Scott was inspired to penned a haunting poem 'The Lay of the Last Minstrel' 1805 after his visit to the chapel.

Another legend is that the heart of Robert the Bruce is buried in the chapel.  He was in fact related to the St. Clair family.  A small sand stone sculpture of his face is carved in the church's easternmost part of the church??

There are many graves outside of the chapel.  The name St. Clair supposedly is the name of the blood line of descendants from Jesus Christ?

This sentence is chiselled into one of the archway in the Rosslyn Chapel heading down towards the crypt.

"Wine is strong.  The King is stronger.  Women are stronger still;  but truth conquers all."

Hmmmmmm......

A volunteer at the church,(no photos allowed), explained the history of Rosslyn Chapel from it's beginnings.  Also pointing out the interesting specifics and incredible architecture as well as other beautiful aspects of this chapel.  She talked about the legends and myths that surround this church, but never actually said they weren't true?  Believe what you will was her final answer.

There is believed to be special powers within this church.  Standing in the centre of the church, on a slab of sand stone, right under what is called the 'keystone' on the ceiling, I closed my eyes and felt a coolness move up from the floor through my body.  As well I got goose bumps and a chill in the crypt.  My belief is my own.....and I felt something there.  I am kind of that way inclined already.

"Don't feed the gargoyles Debbie!"

Beautiful, vast landscape only 30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown Edinburgh.

Gorgeous.

A fantastic day for Deb and I.

Oh....did I mention that one of the other mysteries of Rosslyn Chapel is that the tomb of Merlin is buried beneath it?  Dragons carved into the walls can be seen throughout the chapel?

I guess that is another story.................

Paparazzi!!! RUN!!!

Can you believe we have been in Scotland for over a month and I still can't get a clear, decent, attractive picture of one wee sheep????

I believe they see me coming and run like heck.

Maybe Irish sheep will be more accommodating?

Hello Glasgow

Did you know that the city of Glasgow was one of the locations for the movie "World War Z" starring Brad Pitt?  Glasgow streets were transformed to be the city of Philadelphia.

Just a little tidbit I read.

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland.  Deb and I took a 'Megabus' to Glasgow and spent a day in this busy city.  Only 8 sterling pounds each returned, and one hour away...awesome deal.

Funny thing happen though when we arrived.  The first huge building we saw was a Cineworld.  The world's tallest cinema with 18 big screens.  The movie "The Hunger Games-Catching Fire" was showing for it's last day.  We hadn't seen it yet and wanted to......so......our tour of Glasgow began at the movie theatre.  

Popcorn with sugar or salt, they don't put butter (or even have any available) on it in the UK. 

 Ice cream bars it is.

Fantastic movie....must be seen on a BIG screen.

Deb and I got the Rick Steves' book out and began a wee journey through Glasgow.  We decided to stay mostly on the main drag as it is a big city, and to be honest we didn't feel quite as safe and comfortable about exploring it.  Not to deter anyone from visiting Glasgow, but it was a bit of an off day for us.  We had expected that after travelling for two and a half months.  And that's ok.

The Nelson Mandela Place is the small square around St. George's.  The people of Glasgow still mourn and remember Nelson Mandela as there are fresh flowers placed below this sign.

A pedestrian only boulevard, Buchanan Street, was filled with people, street performers, children playing, cafes, tea rooms, and many, many shops along the way.

This young gal with the guitar had a big singing voice.  She sounded like a cross between Adele and Feist.  

Glasgow has a population of about 600,000.  Busy Buchanan Street with the sun and a little sprinkle of rain.

This fellow was multitalented.  He played a wicked violin but also was walking a tight rope, not just standing on it.  Amazing.

Who thinks these architecture designs up?  This one is quite special.  The decorations on the front of it is actually a peacock?  It covers the top two floors and the plume of metallic feathers sparkles in the sunlight.  Wow!

Nero coffee house is the Starbucks of the UK although Starbucks is also everywhere.  Delicious cappuccinos.  It almost looks like a wee castle on a foundation?

A Robbie Burns statues in George Square.  The tartan tam and scarf are not part of the statue? Someone has placed it on him?  This was the week before Robbie Burns night.

I think he looks great.

It was a short visit for us in Glasgow.  Deb and I realize that cities aren't really where our hearts lie.  We love the smaller towns and villages....or like Edinburgh were the city feels like a small town.  

The clock (statue) is chiming 5pm....gotta catch our bus back to Edinburgh.

Viola! Knitted Cowl Completed

Our last walk through the Princes Gardens in Edinburgh and I wore my brand newly knitted cowl for the occasion.  It turned out better than I had hoped.  Tons of colours in it and super comfy.

Good thing I don't have to pack those two balls of yarn......but how am I going to pack the 5 balls that I bought today???  I don't know why Debbie didn't stop me?  Oh yeah I know why.

'Cause she's not the boss of me.'

The Highlands of Scotland & The Loch Ness Monster

"O ye'll tak' the high road, and Ah'll tak' the low road

And Ah'll be in Scotlan' afore ye

Fir me an' my true love will ne'er meet again

On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon."

Everyone we met when we arrived in Scotland has been telling us that the Highlands is a must.  But Inverness is 4 hours by train from Edinburgh and we didn't think we could do that in a day.

Thus, we booked another tour through the Timber Bush Tour Company.

A very long day, but incredible views.  We plan to head further North on our next trip to Scotland so that we can get a wee bit closer to the Highlands and really enjoy them.

On our way but for a quick stop at Kilmahog, Scotland for a bit of refreshments.  

Nooooooooo!

I was sad to see that the Highland cattle were not here in Kilmahog in the winter.  Having been looking forward to seeing them, I was a wee bit disappointed.  However, I believe they are also in Ireland.  I will keep you posted.

Very good looking to say the least.  The Highland cattle breed has lived for centuries in the rugged, remote, and extremely harsh conditions of the Scottish Highlands.  Cold weather, snow, little to no shelters, do not affect this cattle.

The trade mark of long horns and long reddish hair, makes for quite an unusual sight.

Farm land in Kilmahog.  The snow starts here.  There is not one flake of snow in Edinburgh on this day.

Going up into the mountains.  Tons of snow.  Very windy and cold.  Here are two hikers with their walking sticks.  I am wondering where they are headed.

A panoramic view of Rannoch Moor.

Our driver quickly pulled over so that we might snap a few photos.  Interesting sky at the time, but not so great for my photographs.

Not our driver, but another tour we followed along our journey.

He 'rocks' that kilt ensemble.

We are entering the 'Glen Coe' a spectacular valley.  Considered to be one of the most beautiful in all of Scotland.  The famous 'Three Sisters' are a group of mountains made famous in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" movie. They rise upwards to 3,658 feet.

The Glen Coe was created by a super volcano, now extinct, over 420 million years ago.  With more shaping done by glaciers in the last ice age 10,000 years ago.  It is impressive.

Close by, is one of the locations of the last James Bond movie, "Skyfall."  We drove through where 'M' and James Bond are heading to a hide out in his Aston Martin.

In a nearby village of Fort William where we stopped for lunch.  Surrounded by mountains. 

 Ben Nevis, at 4409 feet, is the highest mountain in the British Isles is located here.

On the road again, coming down from the mountains.  Miles of green farm land dotted with my new favourite muses....the wee grazing sheep.  A hint of a rainbow that came out after the light showers.

There are 5 million people who live in Scotland......and 2.5 sheep to each one.  

The sheep are taking over the world!

Arriving at the infamous Loch Ness.  It is over 700 feet deep and 24 miles long, and quite straight.

Oh yeah...there is talk about some monster but really?  It's day time....I am not afraid of monsters.

The noble Urquhart Castle ruins on the banks of the Loch Ness.  It was once one of Scotland's largest castles.  A medieval fortress with 500 years of conflicts from the 13th-17th centuries.  It was prominent during Scotland's struggle for independence.

Very windy on Loch Ness.  Trying to take this picture was a wee bit difficult.

When Robert the Bruce became King of Scotland, Urquhart Castle came under his control.

During the 15th and 16th centuries it was held at different times by the MacDonald, The Duward and The Grant Clans.

Amazing scenery and mountains encompass the Loch Ness.

Breathtaking.

"Can you see that thing moving in the water Debbie?"  "I don't know what it is....I am going to zoom in closer."

OH NO......YIKES....UGH.....IT'S THE LOCH NESS MONSTER!!!!!! RUN!!!!!

I can't watch, I am covering my face now....well actually the wind is doing that for me.