June 24: Day in Edinburgh

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 the first Harry Potter books were dreamed up and written


Busker   


One of several interesting human statues-appear to be floating


Whiskey-making Tour, which of course included a tasting. Allen is trying Highland Scotch Whiskey


Thousands of different types of Scotch Whiskeys


From the six areas of Scotland


The different ingredients that makes Scotch Whiskeys different


My last Scottish Dinner at Howie's:  A good Scottish brew and a side of Haggies (vegetarian), neeps, & tatties


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

June 21: Orkney Islands

Image
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...
Read more

July 15: Powerscourt Gardens

Image
We decided to give our bodies a day rest and went to Powerscourt Gardens. They are listed by National Geographics as the third most beautiful gardens in the world after Versailles and Kew gardens. Built in 1500s by Count Wingfield, an Englishman, who was given the land by Elizabeth I for his gallant fighting.   There are a series of 6 gardens. Skip if you don't want to see lots of plant pictures! Triton Pond Behind the Main Entrance to the Italian Garden Main Entrance: Sugar Loaf Mountains in Background, Toward Triton Pond Main Entrance to Italian Garden Gate with Thistle, Rose, and Shamrock: Scotland, England, Ireland Julia's Memorial with Rose Garden   Rose Garden Hidden Garden Dolphin Fountain Entrance to Pepperpot Tower From top of Pepperpot Tower  Japanese Garden  Secret Nook in Japanese Garden
Read more