I'm Ba-ack


 Well, I'm back after our trip to Edinburgh and I have to say we had a GREAT time. 

We got home about tea-time on Friday night feeling pretty exhausted - we did an awful lot of walking - up and down hills, up and down stairs and steps phew!!! 
 I've discovered though how unfit I am. 
I MUST do something about that!!!!

Anyway I took lots and lots of pictures - 278 to be exact - how many!!!!!! 
I know, I don't know when to stop clicking :)))

I'm not sure how to blog about it - I thought I would do some of the castle in this post and take it from there. It may be a loooong post - hope you don't mind.

So without further ado - here we go!!! 

We decided to go by train, which meant getting a train first to Glasgow and then changing stations and going onto Edinburgh - roughly about 2 hours travelling time. We arrived at Edinburgh at about 11am and dropped our bags off at the hotel and booked in. 
Then we wandered up the Royal Mile to the castle - mostly uphill.  

The entrance to the Castle


 The Lang Stairs

 Steps, steps and more steps


 This is the One O'clock Gun - this history of this stems way back to 1846 when an Edinburgh business man (John Hewitt) saw a similar gun in Paris. He mentioned it to those that mattered and it came to fruition when a time ball was added to the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill (we didn't go there but I have a picture of it from the castle). This was used as a visual signal for shipping on the Firth of Forth. The gun salute served as an audible signal to go along with it. 
The gun goes off every day except Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas day. The only time it stopped was during the two World Wars.

The Nelson Monument is the tower on the right hand side of this picture - not very clear I'm afraid.

I have a bit of a funny story attached to this which may give you a wee giggle. 
I decided I was going to capture the gun going off at 1pm and was all set with my camera ready.  Well when the gun went off I jumped out of my skin with fright and as a result this is the picture I took.

 I totally missed my chance.
 So I took this one immediately after - it did give us a good old laugh though. Silly me!!!!



 Foog's Gate



 Half Moon Battery

Looking down the barrel of the canon


 Entrance to The Scottish National War Museum
 The Royal Palace and where the The Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny are kept.  Photography not allowed inside so no pictures I'm afraid.

 Mon's Meg - was called Mons as this was the name of the town it was built in Belgium. Not sure where Meg comes from - although it is a shortened form of Margaret - there must be a link somewhere.
It was presented to James II of Scotland in 1457 as a gift from Duke Philip of Burgandy. It was fired in 1558 to celebrate the wedding of Mary Queen of Scots.
The huge gunstones that you see here weighed 330lbs each and had a range of almost 2 miles.  
I wouldn't like to get in the way of that!!!!




The view from the Half Moon Battery

Well, I think that will do for this post. 
It definately a place well worth visiting if you are ever in the area. 
I really recommend it.

Comments

TexWisGirl said…
those old stone buildings/castles are so fascinating. laughed at your 'gun fire' photo! that would so be me!
Bev said…
What character there is!
Roan said…
Loved the gun fire picture. Sounds like something I would do. Beautiful pictures. I hope to see more from your trip.
Donna said…
Oh my Ellie,

Your trip looks fantastic!! I really enjoyed looking at all of your photos!

Thanks for sharing so much of your trip!

Blessings,
Donna
Jill said…
I am just in awe of all of those castles. I envy you being able to see them like that and really appreciate you sharing them with us.

You sure did give me a giggle! I'm so glad you shared that photo.

Glad you had a good time!
Rose said…
I hope you had ear protection on when the gun fired!

I have really enjoyed the show...I hope everyone enlarges these. They are all wonderful to look at. Love those stone walls...I love anything made of stone.
Paul said…
It is a spectacular castle and they are great shots. I really enjoyed visiting there in the 80's!
Liesl said…
Loved these castle pics! Your gunfire pic is hillirious,something I would def do too!
FilipBlog said…
Special casttle, I surprised the cannons are still there.

Greetings,
Filip
Giga said…
Piękny zamek i bardzo miły spacer po nim, dzięki Twoim zdjęciom. Pozdrawiam.*** A beautiful castle and a very nice walk after him, thanks to your photos. Yours.
CameraCruise said…
Great post!
Love to see all your castle photos.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a wonderful Sunday.
Mette
Debbie said…
what gorgeous castles we have a few places like that not too far from here. it sounds like the perfect get-a-way, i'm so happy you had fun!

i still jump at the sound of fireworks, even though i know they are coming!
Sandra said…
Well now, that was a nice visit round Edinburgh with you! You got some really good shots there. I had to laugh at the shot that escaped when you jumped out of your skin when the gun went off! You did well to include that one so that we could get a giggle!
That canon with the huge gunstones were incredible.
So what have you decided to do to get more fit before you go to Edinburgh again?! I should walk more and do try to do an hour a day, even if it's cut into twice 30 minutes. Every little helps!
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Lisa Gordon said…
Ellie, it looks like you had a wonderful time!
I absolutely love the castle.
I would love to see what's inside!
Thank you for taking us along with you on your trip.
Sending you wishes for a wonderful start to your week!
Karen said…
Oh great! Thanks for the tour!!
orchid0324 said…
Dearest Ellie,
Wow, how SPLENDID the castle is☆☆☆
Thank you very much for the special lovely tour with your wonderful pictures♡♡♡ Hehe, I am almost envious with your marvelous time.
Love you always, xoxo Miyako*
I love your photos. I would love to be able to travel and see all of these things, so interesting.
We've been meaning to pop up to the castle for ages. I've been before some years ago and it certainly is worth going to.

278 picture - it easy to amass a huge amount - I'm just back from 5 days in England and Wales with 764 to sort out.
syl74 said…
Hello,

Thanks for the pictures..I'm Sylvie, a french guide who will lead french groups to Scotland in a month.. I've been living in Edimbourgh 12 years ago and did guide some groups 2 years ago... am still exciting to go back..
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