A very impressive entrance into the Edinburgh Castle with a huge esplanade where you can take in the entire view of the castle as you walk towards the entry portal.
A gorgeous blue sky day in Edinburgh. Perfect day to tour the Edinburgh Castle which we have seen each day since we have arrived here in the city. Knowing us, we require an entire day to discovery the castle. Nothing is worse than running through sights. Deb and I both enjoy really seeing and 'being' within the castles to get a feel for what it might have been back in the day.
Today is no different. We are so excited to finally be going in.
The Edinburgh Castle is located at the top end of the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace is at the other end at the bottom of the street. The castle is built on Castle Rock, a volcanic rock jutting straight up from the valley below.
Edinburgh Castle was a Royal residence and historic fortress dating back to the 12th century. Many historic events happened here. Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son, James VI in 1566. Who reigned as King of Scotland and England after Queen Elizabeth I died with no heirs. It was one of Scotland's strongholds and battled many sieges during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century until the mid 17th century.
The entrance into the fortress is liken to walking into a medieval fairytale castle. Flags blowing in the wind, torches with crowns, statues of knights posed to defend if necessary, a bridge to cross, a very defensive gate to walk through.....impressive.
Just inside, on each side of the gate, are two plaques dedicated to Robert the Bruce and Sir William Wallace.
Before we head in, the blue banner above the door reads, in Latin, translated,
"What you do to us...we will do to you."
The next inner wall of defence. With massively thick walls, two gates (if you look close, they are located on the ceiling in the opening) to keep everyone out.....except the Canucks, right?
This is where we picked up our audio guide for the self guided tour. A must. There is so much to see, but also they give you so much history in the audio that you simply cannot absorb by reading.
This gun below fires a 1:00 o'clock salute every single day. The Scots set their watches by it.
Funny little note about why it is not at noon? Rather than 1pm?
The Scots would be the first to admit they like to hold onto their money. Thus why fire 12 shots when one will do the trick at 1pm? Cost effective.
The entrance into the Royal Palace building, The Scottish National War Memorial, The Tea Room and The Great Hall.
"Would you love me if I were just a head?"
The Scottish National War Memorial.
"This commemorates the 149,000 Scottish soldiers lost in World War I, the 58,000 who died in World War II, and the nearly 800 (and counting) lost in British battles since."
Rick Steves Great Britain 2013 book.
Note: The Scottish soldiers died at twice the rate of other British soldiers in World War I.
A very somber place. No photos. No cells. Only whispering voices.....it is profound and very moving.
The city of Edinburgh from the castle.
The Royal Palace is where Royalty came for protection when safety was a concern. They preferred Holyrood Palace for living.
Today it houses the Scottish Crown Jewels. The oldest, made in 1540, and much treasured by the people of Edinburgh. Some believe they were made from the personal gold of Robert the Bruce.
The Scots managed to hide the Crown Jewels from Oliver Cromwell after he destroyed England's jewels.
As well as the Scottish Crown Jewels, you can also set your eyes on the "Stone of Destiny" (formally known as the "Stone of Scone"). This huge chunk of gray rock is the coronation stone of Scotland's ancient Kings since the 9th century. The English swiped it and it sat under the coronation chair at Westminster Abbey in London from 1296-1996. The Queen finally let the stone come back to Scotland, on condition that it is returned for all future coronations. With a huge welcome and fanfare, it came home to Scotland on Saint Andrew's Day, November 30th, 1996.
Note: There is a famous Indie movie called "Stone of Destiny." Made in 2009. It is about 4 Scottish University students who break into Westminster Abbey and liberate the Stone of Destiny back to Scotland. I asked one of the guards, while we visited the Royal Palace, and she said the tale is true but not quite so dramatic. The mission rejuvenated the Scottish pride and the call for independence.
A really great movie.
Mary Queen of Scots living area.
Her son was born in a very tiny room attached to her private living area. She was forced to abdicate her crown and hand it over to her small son during her tumultuous reign, by the Scottish nobles. Queen Elizabeth I had her imprisoned for almost 20 years before executing her.
Battle ready but not necessary today.
The most recent use, the castle has been a military garrison. Inside is a Prisoner of War exhibit. We would never have wanted to get into trouble back then. It is damp, dark, extremely claustrophobic and creepy. Yikes.
Their beds were hammocks strung up on wooden frames.
A very old bread oven used by the prisoners.
The hammocks were also hung in this nook against the stone walls.
Back in the light of day. The castle area is large enough to be a small hamlet. We spent about 6 hours at the castle. As we started to make our way out, we realized we were almost entirely alone. Wow! Love that.
A line of defensive.....
Random shots of the jutting volcanic rock and how the castle is built literally on and around it.
Impenetrable. Obviously, to last and so it has. Almost a millennium.
The friendliness of the Scots is not lost at the Castle. Our new BFF, Colin, born and raised Scotsman, who happens to work at the Castle. He offered to take our photo after my attempts with the camera timer just wasn't working great.
This is a great photo of my favourite wife and travel companion, little Debbie, and myself.
A rest period at the end of our tour. Still at the top of the castle, this is the view from one of the cafes.
Chilly day.....two cappuccinos and authentic Scottish shortbread.....
Life can't get better than this?
The gate house has a totally different look and feel in the evening. Beautiful and serene.
Our new BFF Colin is responsible for the gun that fires at 1 pm everyday. There is a chain around it, to keep it safe from the millions of tourist who visit the castle every year.
But.....on this evening....he asks us if we wanted our photo taken with the gun??? Really????
I thought he was kidding? I told him that we didn't want to end up in the prison we just visited?
He said, he works there and he is happy to allow us in and take a photo.
I love this Scotsman.
Hopping over the chain....
Here we are. The Queens of the Edinburgh Castle!
Thanks Colin
(Random Act of Kindness)
Making our way through the streets of the Edinburgh Castle at the end of our tour.
The Edinburgh Castle and the street of Edinburgh below. You can see that it is straight down.
The view at dusk of Edinburgh south end with Arthur's Seat in the distance.
Incredible torches decorated with crowns at the exit of the castle.
Awesome day.
Head shot!
One last thing....a nod to Canada.
There is a plaque right at the entrance to Edinburgh Castle which we did not know about until Colin shared with us.
In 1625 Sir William Alexander was given land to populate and colonize to begin a "New Scotland" in the new world.
That land was Nova Scotia.
Good bye to one more amazing castle in Scotland.
Stay tuned for my blog on the Stirling Castle in the week to follow.
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