For the Royal Wedding we got a 4 day weekend so after my big adventure in London on Friday we headed up to Edinburgh, Scotland to enjoy the other 3 days.
The weather was amazing the entire weekend. Sunny skies and gorgeous green countryside to gaze at on our 6 hour drive north.
North of Newcastle, we started seeing signs for Hadrian's Wall. I'd heard about it from history and according to a very reliable source called Wikipedia, construction of the wall started around 122 AD during the Roman rule of Emperor Hadrian. There are several theories as to why the wall was built. Most think it was meant to serve as a base of defense to keep the Scots from attacking England or to serve as a way to control immigration and manage customs for trading and taxation.
We found a visitor center run by the English Heritage Trust (of which we are members-YAY!) so we decided to stop and have a look.
It is so beautiful here in the spring! Here is a shot of the area around the grounds.
The weather was amazing the entire weekend. Sunny skies and gorgeous green countryside to gaze at on our 6 hour drive north.
North of Newcastle, we started seeing signs for Hadrian's Wall. I'd heard about it from history and according to a very reliable source called Wikipedia, construction of the wall started around 122 AD during the Roman rule of Emperor Hadrian. There are several theories as to why the wall was built. Most think it was meant to serve as a base of defense to keep the Scots from attacking England or to serve as a way to control immigration and manage customs for trading and taxation.
We found a visitor center run by the English Heritage Trust (of which we are members-YAY!) so we decided to stop and have a look.
It is so beautiful here in the spring! Here is a shot of the area around the grounds.
We walked down the path to the river where the wall used to cross. There was a bridge here at one time in history that was part of the wall. You can see ruins of the wall on the other side of the river.
Very windy outside on this day. Here is me conquering the wall!!
Back into the car and on the road. It was just a little bit further to the border and we were in Scotland!!!
View of the Scottish countryside from the border.
We got into the city and checked in to our B&B. We were starving so we hopped on the bus and went to the coast to try to find a place to eat along the water. This is a little harbor in front of the restaurant. The tide was out and the boats docked here were beached. Hope they didn't need to get anywhere quick!!
After dinner we took a haunted tour of the underground vaults. These vaults are a part of a bridge that was built in the late 1700s. Originally, these vaults were used for taverns and other shops. As conditions deteriorated, the businesses moved out and the poorest citizens moved in along with brothels and the most dangerous of criminals.
Our tour guide told us some very scary stories about things that happened in those vaults. I couldn't wait to get out of there!!!
The next morning we walked into town and climbed a very big hill to the top of the Royal Mile for a visit to Edinburgh Castle.
This is us in the square out front attempting a self portrait. This is the only way I get Bill in pictures!! I'm working on it!
This is us in the square out front attempting a self portrait. This is the only way I get Bill in pictures!! I'm working on it!
We headed in and took a tour of the compound. Because of it being on top of an old volcano, the castle has amazing views!! The grounds have been used as a fortress in some form since 600 AD.
The oldest (intact) building in Edinburgh is up here, a chapel built in 1130 named for Queen Margaret, mother of King David I who built the first castle on the rock.
The outside of the chapel is a bit plain, but the stained glass windows inside are lovely.
The outside of the chapel is a bit plain, but the stained glass windows inside are lovely.
The castle served as a fortress and also a prison. We toured an exhibit of the history of the prisoners of war that were held here which included Americans.
This is a wood jail cell door. Notice the American flag carved into the door by one of its former residents.
This is a wood jail cell door. Notice the American flag carved into the door by one of its former residents.
The castle has several examples of guns and cannons used throughout history to protect the fortress. Look! One named after me!
One view looking towards Arthur's Seat (the mountain in the background) of the city.
Edinburgh Castle is at the top of the Royal Mile. We walked down the entire street checking out shops along the way as we worked our way down to the bottom. At the end of the Royal Mile is Holyrood House. The Scottish residence of the Queen. She is not here often so the home and the grounds are open for tours.
Front view of the house.
The guard shack in front of the Palace. Bill can hardly fit in it with those guns!!
Holyrood Abbey, what is left of it anyway. The Abbey was built in 1128. Many of the Kings of Scotland throughout history are buried here.
Palace gardens looking toward the Abbey.
It was such an amazing and beautiful day. People were outside everywhere enjoying the weather. We decided to join them and laid on a hill in a park looking up toward Edinburgh Castle and napped in the sun for an hour. We were tired after all that walking!!
Our view from the hill looking up toward the castle.
The next day before we left, we headed over to hike Arthur's Seat. We were met with yet another awesome view of the city.
View from the bottom and across the way.
View from the bottom and across the way.
It was a tough climb!
Good thing I had some help!!
Looking back down the trail.
We made it! Enjoying our spot on the mountain.
We loved loved loved Edinburgh. Such a great city. It was an unexpected treat!
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