Angela & Deb's Journey through Europe & the UK 2013-2014: St. Giles' Cathedral and 900 years of history

It is Sunday morning, on the Royal Mile and we have decided to go to Church. Not just any church but St. Giles' Cathedral. A church that has seen 900 years of Scottish history. Kings and Queens have attended here. This church has survived war, fire and hatred during the years of the Reformation.

For us, it is a very quiet, peaceful and respite from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile.

The first stone church in this spot was built in 1124.

King Charles II was the first royal to step foot in the church. It would be another 200 years before another royal, King George IV would visit the church in 1822.

This view of the nave is incredible. Soft lighting, medieval pillars and stained glass at the end....beautiful.

Robbie Burns is very cherished and celebrated here in Edinburgh. Below is a stained glass window that is dedicated to him.

"O, my luve's like a red, red rose,

That's newly sprung in June,

O, my luve's like a melody,

That's sweetly play'd in tune."

Robbie Burns

In 1985 this window was dedicated to Robbie Burns (1759-1796). The lower part of the window is many shades of green to represent Burns' love of the Scottish countryside and nature. Robbie Burns' figure is visible in the lower centre section.....you may not be able to see his signature, taken from one of his last letters, is beneath it.

The middle section has many shades of blue and purples to represent his concern for community, humanity, and mankind.

The top of the window focuses on the 'Red, red rose' for 'Love above all.'

"Wheresoever they may be they are not without God and where there is one alone EVEN THUS AM I WITH HIM"

I really was struck by this text engraved on the wall.

St. Giles' Cathedral is named after Saint Giles in the stained glass window on the bottom row in the middle with the arrow through his hand. Legend has it that King David (of Scotland) was out hunting one day when he accidentally shot an arrow that pierced St. Giles in the hand. St. Giles gained the respect of the King who then built a monastery for him.

The Thistle Chapel, located within this church, was only built about 100 years ago. It is the spiritual home and meeting place of The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.

Founded by James VII of Scotland in 1687.

There are, today, 16 Knights and Ladies of the Thistle, including the Queen (or Sovereign at the time) who is always the head of the Order and solely appoints new Knights.

For a new Knight to be appointed, one needs to have died.

Members of the Order are usually prominent Scots, or members of the Royal family.

Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's husband) was and Prince Phillip (Queen Elizabeth's husband) is a Knight of the Order.

A very impressive Chapel and a must to be seen.

Since the Thistle Chapel was built, St. Giles' has been visited regularly by the Queen and members of the Royal family.

Glorious stained glass throughout the church.

This tiny angel playing the bagpipes is one of the thousands of tiny wooden carvings in The Thistle Chapel.

This fellow looks like a Musketeer to us? His name is unknown but his resting place is beautiful.

A random view in the Church.

The banners you see that are red with golden angels, which are changed with the seasons.

The choir at St. Giles' consists of 30 singers. I was awe-inspired when they started to sing. Oh my gosh.....the harmonies, the ranges, and the acoustics in the church left Debbie and I speechless. I have come to read that over the years the choirs of this church have produced CD recordings, toured foreign lands visiting USA, France, Greece and even Canada.

The organ, which accompanies the choir, is massive. Floor to ceiling in size. We were in the church early for service and listened to only it while people came in for worship. Incredible sound.

A statue, stained glass window, and headstone all dedicated to John Knox and his involvement in the Reformation in Scotland in the 16th century.

He was born in 1514 and raised a Catholic then changed to Protestant as an adult. Mary Queen of Scots was a Catholic and being a Protestant at this time in Scotland would still have you burned at the stake.

After moving back and forth from Scotland to England and back again he eventually preached at St. Giles' Church for 13 years. His sermons filled the church, with people even peering in the windows to hear. His passion for what he believed even resulted in riots after he would preach.

A stained glass window depicts John Knox passionate sermons.

John Knox, the Reformer....having talked to people in Edinburgh I am still not certain if he was revered or hated?

A brass plaque to honour Robert Louis Stevenson a Scottish writer and poet.

"Give us grace and strength to forbear and to persevere.

Give us the grace to accept and to forgive offenders.

Forgetful ourselves, help us to bear cheerfully the forgetfulness of others.

Give us courage and gaiety and the quiet mind.

Spare to us our friends, soften to us our enemies."

An excerpt from "We Thank Thee" Robert Louis Stevenson

Not a great photo but if you look closely you can see the name 'Hanna' as the second person named on this plaque.

A Christmas bouquet with the rich green leaves of holly. A few leaves had dropped onto the floor.....which I rescued as souvenirs of our visit to St. Giles'.

Hungry again we head to "Deacon Brodies' Tavern." William Brodie born in 1741 in Edinburgh was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson in writing the book "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." William Brodie was a respected business man by day, but a gambler, drinker who consorted with lowlife at night. Eventually he was hanged for burglary (to pay his gambling debts).

Located right on the Royal Mile.

We got one of the only three tables with a window view on the second storey (the first storey is the Pub). And what a view it was. Flowers are still in bloom here. Just sayin'.

Deb with her happiest face because she LOVES Edinburgh as do I.

Deb's lunch looked and tasted delicious.....traditional chicken and mushroom pie.

Quick peek at the bar on our way out. In "Deacon Brodies' Tavern" the dining room is on the second floor and the pub, for having drinks, is on the first.

A short stroll through the Christmas Market on Princes Street. It was the very last night so one last look at all the neat stuff. The best was the Belgian Hot Chocolate made from the chocolate fountains you see in the picture below.

OMG! Out of this world delicious.....like a cup of melted chocolate bar.....oh yeah!

We decide to leave the Royal Mile and head down a different street to get to our bus. This is my photo of the pedestrian only part of the Royal Mile, facing uphill towards The Edinburgh Castle.

I thought of my wee Irish friend Katie who I work with at SMMH Lab when I saw this cupcake store, but I also really thought the architecture of this old building was very curious?

"Advocate's Close"

Another 'close' alley way. My view was quite marvellous when I took the photo below, but I didn't think you could see what I saw, so I stepped in a little further.....and....

....this is what I could see. A cityscape view.

Wandering the streets of Edinburgh. Everywhere we go we are amazed and in awe of how great this city is. Did I mention how much we have enjoyed our week and we still have three more weeks here to go??

Fun whiskey 'toys' in the liquor store window.

Did you know they make quite a potent whiskey sauce to pour over Haggis? We haven't tried the sauce yet....but we did make our reservations for Robbie Burns night at a recommended pub for January 25th. Apparently they sing and receipt Robbie Burns poetry and eat Haggis.

I'm in!!!

Curving streets heading down from the Old Town. A feeling of being transported back 400 years comes over me.

A very lengthy stair case that originates on the Royal Mile and ends where Deb is. Probably a hundred steps if I had to guess.....we didn't go up......maybe we will count going down one day.