Edinburgh Castle

Monday morning we were on the bus with our local guide, Bill, to see this beautiful, breathtaking city.  There are 2 towns in Edinburgh, the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town.  Edinburgh has been declared a World Heritage Site and rightfully so.  Traveling through the streets it was clear what part of the city you were in.

We drove by the Palace of Holyroodhouse-the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty.  We couldn't tour the palace because Prince Charles and Camellia were to visit on Tuesday..  The palace is across from the very new Scottish Parliament buildings which to some are called a "granite monstrosity".  The building is very unique...but does it fit in this part of Edinburgh?

We carried on up the Salisbury Crags-Holyrood Park for a fabulous misty view of Edinburgh.  This morning was no different with a wee Scottish mist and a wee light fog over the sea.

From there we got on the Royal Mile which took us up to Edinburgh Castle.  Just as we got there we were able to see the changing of the guards.  We continued on up to the top.  Inside the castle, we saw the State Apartments of Mary Queen of Scots, her bedroom and the birthing room where she gave birth to James VI of Scotland, later becoming James I of England.  Then we viewed the Scottish Crown Jewels in the Crown Chambers.  Not as impressive as Her Majesty's, but still very beautiful.

At noon we gathered to watch the 21 Gun Salute in honour of Prince Phillip's birthday today. How lucky we were to be here to take this in.  It was very cold and we were a wee bit frozen so we stopped for tea and a scone to celebrate Prince Phillip's birthday.  

Just outside the castle Margaret M, Theresa, Donna and I took in a 50 min. Scotch Whisky Experence.  This was a journey through a replica distillery which houses 3500 individual bottles.  We tasted one of the single malt whiskies from the 4 areas:  Lowlands, Highlands, Speyside & Islay.  I thought the one I tried from the Lowlands was rather smooth.  Margaret was very glad to have been able to take in this experience.

From there we were downhill all the way carrying on along the Royal me which stretches from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.  Walking along it we shopped and admired the interesting old structures, with turrets, gables and the towering chimneys.  Murray came back to the hotel with the heaviest shopping bag of all...way to outdo the ladies.

We met up with Marj andMargaret at the hotel and they shared their ancestor search with us.  They went off on their own (with a car and driver) in search of Marj's great grandmother's Scottish family Homes.  Thanks to the diligent preparation of Cornelius (tour director), and persistence of Jim (driver) the search was a great success.  They were even invited in for tea.  Marj noted the 8 curling rocks putside the door which alas lacked handles.  So happy they were able to get to see the original homestead.