Gwilliam Gazette : Brit Isles - Edinburgh, Scotland

Our next stop was Edinburgh (pronounced Edin-braa), Scotland.

We took a guided tour of the "Royal Mile" and the Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Mile is a straight line between the Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the two most significant locations in the history of royal Scotland. The street was the traditional processional route of the Monarchs and is just about a mile long and is now the busiest street in much of Scotland.

This railway bridge is the Forth Bridge and was built in 1882 and is currently Scotland's greatest man-made wonder as voted in 2016). It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and is currently the world's 2nd largest cantilever spanned bridge.

As we were walking to our tour, this interesting monument was clearly visible

Yep, google said go up the stairs......

We made it to our meeting place. Notice the Unicorn at the top - Scotland's national animal

St Giles Cathedral - HUGE and built in the 14th century

As we walked on our tour, the tour guide pointed out so many "history in plain site" objects - carvings on the buildings, small plaques, road marking, statues, it was very interesting

The Unicorn was everywhere

This is a "close" which were everywhere - every 20-30 feet - small ally ways where the people who lived here would get to their small houses. No running water, no electricity, no sewer - the pipes were added centuries later

One of the few streets that had no people on it

The brass markings is where the original city gates were

Everything had a purpose and was all symbolic - the sun, the statue, name plaque - all the building in the Royal Mile had similar features

One of the many "closes" - they were all named and had signs so you would know where to go to see others and to find your house

Here we go...here is how the royal mile looks now....so busy!

The closer we got to the castle the busier it was

Edinburgh Castle sits on 'Castle Rock' a large rocky hill at the beginning of the Royal Mile. The castle is HUGE!!!!!!! Castle Rock has been occupied by humans since the Iron Age - about 1200 BC and there has been a castle here since the 11th century and it's served as a royal palace, mint, prison, arsenal, treasury, prison and fortress. It currently holds all of Scotland's royal treasures and crown jewels. Because of it's location, it's the most important stronghold in Scotland and it's "the most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked in the world". Records show it was attacked at least 26 times over the centuries. The castle is currently Scotland's most visited tourist attraction (and United Kingdom's 2nd) with over 2.5 million visitors a year. No wonder it was crowded!

Our tour guide with the orange folder

The unicorn and lion - signifying the two great powers uniting together forever and always - Scotland and England

The church was very quaint

We then headed to the other end of the Royal Mile, to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

I finally got a pic of the traffic lights - they all do this in every place we've been. When the light is red, and about to turn green, the yellow light comes on, while the red is still on. This means "get ready to go" and then 1 second later the green is lit. Instead of the yellow coming on before the red, it comes on before the green. Interesting....

The Palace of Holyroodhouse (referred to as Holyrood Palace) is at the other end of the Royal Mile from the castle. It's the official residence of the British monarchy when they visit Scotland and has served as their home and where they currently entertain and have State functions since the 16th century. Every year there is "King Week" where the current King comes and spends one week here during the beginning of summer where he carries out "official engagements and various ceremonies" When the royal family isn't here, you can go inside for a tour, which is done quite nicely. Very organized and lots of information. No photos were allowed though inside.