It's Up to Me

Scotland certainly is among my favorite trips. Full of medieval castles, history, extremely friendly people, unique cuisine and beautiful scenery! I went there to do the famous Whisky trail, after all, is the Scots’s business.

I landed on a bright white snow Edinburgh, that it was early December, the winter was yet to come, but the thermometer has marked zero temperatures!

The city is amazing! The ice quickly melts by the joy of the welcoming people. In every corner, a Scotsman with costumes, plays his bagpipes and thrilling all who pass through there .

I chose staying in downtown, at Mercure Hotel, and my room view was to the main square and to the majestic Edinburgh Castle, where the movie Braveheart was filmed.

And, what a Castle!? The Edinburgh Castle is situated on Castle Rock in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. Castle Rock formed after a volcano erupted over 340 million years ago. The first castle that existed on the rock was known as “The Castle of the Maidens”. According to legend, the castle had been a shrine to the “Nine Maidens”, one of whom was Morgan le Fay – a powerful sorceress in the Arthurian legend.

Castle Rock had been a military base and royal residence for centuries. However, the edifice that is known as Edinburgh Castle was built during the 12th century by David I, son of Saint Margaret of Scotland.

 

Highlights

 

Mons Meg

One of the world’s most famous guns, Mons Meg was given to King James II by Duke Philip of Burgundy in 1457. She was capable of firing a 150 kg gunstone for up to 3.2km (two miles) to devastating effect. Look down the barrel and you can easily imagine the power Mons Meg.

 

National War Museum

Here you discover what happened in Scotland in its 400-year war through personal stories, military artifacts and precious collections. This museum contains a wealth of absorbing material and is housed in a former storehouse for ordnance. It was built in the 1700s and later used as a military hospital.

 

One o’Clock Gun

The One o’clock Gun got its name because it is fired at 13:00 hours every day except Sunday since 1861.

 

Royal Palace

This palace contains the old royalty’s rooms. Upstairs is a small room known as the Birth Chamber or Mary Room, where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to the future King James VI in 1566. The building was extensively refurbished for the visit of King James VI to castle in 1617.

 

Prisons of War

One of the most interesting Castle’s rooms! Delve into the depths below the Great Hall and Queen Anne Building into two tiers of cavernous stone vaults that were for many years used as prisons of war. Prisoners from France, America, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Denmark and Poland were kept here.

 

The Scottish Crown Jewels

The Crown, Scepter and Sword of State are the oldest crown jewels in the British Isles. Collectively, they are known as the Honors of Scotland. They were first used together for the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. The Scepter was presented to James IV by Pope Alexander VI in 1494 while the Crown was first worn by James V for the coronation of his wife, Queen Mary of Guise in 1540.

 

There’s so much more attractions to see at the Castle and in Edinburgh but I would spend lots of days writing. 

So, wait for the next post, it’s going to be about the Whisky Trail!

For now, enjoy the Edinburgh pics!