Trip to Scotland

Edinburgh - The Royal Mile

Edinburgh Castle
The tour brochure recommends two hours to see Edinburgh Castle. I think we were there closer to three hours and I'm sure we missed parts of the castle. Between the four of us we took around 90 pictures just in the castle, I've sorted through and put the highlights on this page.

We started out from the hotel at about 10:00 am. We walked to the start of the Royal Mile checking out some views along the way.

I don't know exactly what that monument is but it's kind of creepy.	View of the castle from Princess Street.
Still walking to the "start" of the Royal Mile.	Waiting for Paul (again).

Arriving at the Castle.

William Wallace stands guard at the castle entrance.

Approaching Edinburgh Castle, walking across the parade grounds where the Tattoo performs.

Definitely NOT William Wallace in the guard tower.

Inside the castle gates.

Views of Edinburgh from the castle.

The body of water visible in the background here is the Firth of Forth. No kidding - that's it's name.

View in the other direction from the castle.

Below: We visited the prisons where prisoners of war were housed. Check out the sleeping arrangements. The light from the flash disguises just how creepy it was down in the prisons. Haunted? I'd bet on it!

Above is the little cemetery for the dogs of military officers.
Some of the graves date back to the 1840s.

Below are two of the huge fireplaces in the castle.

	PC and Kjersti both found friends! No, you can't bring them home.

Mons Meg A huge cannon which is among Europe's oldest surviving medieval bombards. This thing could launch huge stone balls the size of beach balls over a mile.

Above: a depiction of the uncovering of the Scottish Crown Jewels (among the oldest regalia in Europe) after they were hidden from the English. Right: the infant is Mary Queen of Scots. In the background is Mary as an adult.

Next page - More photos along the Royal Mile