Edinburgh, Part 2

For years Zack has dreamed about going to Scotland. So me, being the most super awesome and best wife ever, decided to make that dream a reality. For Father's Day HB and I presented him with the trip package: airline tickets, apartment reservations and tickets to see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. I've only seen him cry a few times and made him cry just once when I was really mean (J/K) but this did it... and I was proud.

The UK is by far the most expensive place we have traveled thus far, especially since we chose the month of August whilst the Tattoo was going on. Thus finding suitable and affordable accommodations was challenging. I was able to book a one bedroom apartment called the Rose Street Flats. It was, obviously, off of Rose Street, a busy but quaint street north of the castle. It was decent.

First,  just south of our apartment was Edinburgh Castle!!!

Built on the cap of an ancient volcano, it is believed humans have inhabited the land since the 2^nd century AD. Most of the current structure is from the 16^th century although some is as old as the 12^th.

The apartment:

Unfortunately the carpet was in poor condition and the bathroom fixtures, while nice, were all falling apart. Right outside our bedroom window without blackout shades was a large street lamp. But I can’t really complain because this was the only bad part about the entire trip.

Getting to our apartment was also very simple. From the airport you walk about 10 minutes to the tram station, buy a ticket from the kiosk right there and ride straight into the city in about 25 minutes. The closest stop was just a short 7 minute walk from the apartment.

Unbeknownst to me at the time of booking eight months prior, the apartment is located in a healthy food mecca. Within 10 minutes walking distance were all but two of those wonderful restaurants I mentioned in my last post. Also right by were tons of retail shops- Gap, Antropologie, and Joules to name just a few. It was more than amazing to shop in stores who make clothes for tall, non-anorexic people. Bliss.

Around the neighborhood:

Rose Street:

Our first full day we made our way out into the country via our local friend, Brent, to see Stirling Castle. Still rather new to Europe I continue to be amazed and intrigued by castles. This one is one of the largest and most important in Scotland. Most of the current structure dates from the 15^th and 16^th centuries although the first records of a castle here are from 1110 AD. Mary Queen of Scots was crowned here.

 Here are some pics of the outside and surrounding area:

Looking at the William Wallace memorial.

If I haven’t said it before, castles are excellent places to take honey badgers. There are very few entrances and exits, at least one, usually two, large grassy courtyards to run around in, most displays are sparse or behind glass, and people aren’t as serious about silence as they are in regular museums. HB had a great time here and blew off tons of energy.

I could tell you some more history about these castles and surrounding areas but honestly, the idea of it makes my head spin. Somebody-with-a-number killed or overthrew Somebody-else-with-a-number and a lot of people died. In the end, the bloody English won and stole all the mineral rights. (God save the queen!) I will say that William Wallace died close to here and this is where he won the battle or Stirling Bridge. WW is kind of a big deal 'round these parts in case you didn't pick that up from the giant phallus erected in his honor pictured above.

The interior of the castle was pretty neat. Upstairs there is a military museum and the apartments downstairs are till somewhat furnished. The castle comes complete with period adorned actors/docents who will answer any question you have about the castle or its royal inhabitants King James V and Mary of Guise.

 The queen's throne and bedroom:

 

 

Ceiling of the kind's quarters. Typically after the death of a king all of the furniture is removed and the room is left empty until a new king moves in.

More outside pics:

 

Our second stop was to the 14^th century Doune Castle. You might recognize this one as it was featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail as well as the new tv series Outlander. In contrast to most of the other castles we have visited, Doune is mostly empty and “bare bones” as well as being markedly more modest in size and construction. It was inhabited by Dukes and the son of a king.

The great hall:

Double fire place in the throne room:

The courtyard:

We were so lucky to have amazing weather on this truly amazing occasion whilst Zack and I got to walk around this castle alone. But it was about this time, actually it was precisely after this photo was taken, I heard the screeching of a little baby honey badger. He was sleeping in the car with our friend, who was nursing a hangover, and woke up a very unhappy boy. He proceeded to wail at the top of his lungs for no less than 15 minutes while I sat just to the left in an attempt to soothe him. So we left.

Our final stop for the day was the William Wallace monument.

Now I'm sure when ol' Willie was getting drawn and quartered he said to himself, "Oh please I hope one day someone erects a giant knob with my face on it." The Johnson itself was pretty anticlimactic, especially after walking all day, then walking up the big hill to get to it only to be told we had to climb the stairs to see the crap that was inside. So we passed on getting all up in Willie's willy and headed home for some grub feeling exhausted yet satisfied.