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June 24: Day in Edinburgh

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Yesterday was a day at sea following the eastern coastline of Scotland in the North Sea. We arrived in Edinburgh around 8 AM and went through the locks.  After dropping off our suitcase at a nice little hotel off High Street, we went exploring. View from Lock coming into Edinburgh Port. The Lock is needed to regulate the tide Scott Memorial (This is how it is spelled). Our hotel is in the heart of old Edinburgh. Spectacular old buildings and monuments St. Giles Cathedral (Allen would say AFC) View from Carlton Hill that arose from volcanic action 340 million years ago. Used in 1600s for executions  Nelson Monument (1807-1816), an up-ended telescope used to give exact time for captains to navigate longitude. A ball fell from the top daily at exactly 1 pm. A monument in honor of Scottish American solders who fought with Abe Lincoln for freedom. Soon like Washington slept here----first Porto, Portugal now Edinburgh claims to be where th...
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June 22: Invergordon and Loch Ness

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We are in the Highlands. A great deal of history in this area surrounding Scottish Independence.  Ness means "headland" Loch Ness is the 3rd deepest body of fresh water in Europe (754 feet) And of course the Loch Ness Monster, Nessie, which was actually a hoax by a doctor in the 1940s, but it certainly has brought the tourists. It was supposedly first sighted in 6th C. Ivergorden Mural Town of the Highland, currently with 17 telling the stories of the local community and the area.  Whoops, a live person Urquhart Castle right on the Loch Ness with important Highland history. The area was occupied by Picts before Christianized. Supposedly St. Columba baptized the Pict chieftain on his death bed in 756 AD.  Then the Lord of the Isle took over the area.   From one of its highest points. There were several rebellions including the last against the Jacobites in 1689.  The solders marched out in the end, blowing up the castl...
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June 21: Orkney Islands

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The Orkney Islands are as Norwegian as they are Scottish. There are 70 islands; 17 occupied. Only becoming Scottish after they were needed for dowry.  They are parallel to Alaska so quite windy and chilly, but also as beautiful as the rest of the area we have toured.  They were a critical location during WWII to the Allies. Orkney Island Flag Wind Turbines are frequent The winds were around 50 mph  For the first time even Allen is wearing a jacket Individual homes had wind turbines. They can sell to the grid any energy not used. Skera Brae, Oldest Complete Neolithic Town-5000 years old, 3100 BC, was uncovered after a huge storm in 1850.  Found that blue clay was placed under the floor. They also had a stream running through each home with a hole over it-first indoor toilets.  Workshop rather than home. A type of flint, ckert, was found. It was used for certain weapons, knives.  Ring of Brogar-olde...
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