As you can plainly see Edinburg Castle still presents a danger to the city below. Several more of this striking castle on a rock will soon be viewed on TLT.
Castle Week .2 /
This was the most impressive of the castles we were able to visit. This is Dunrobin near Dornoch, Scotland. This is one that is still a home but the home is in a section you don’t tour. We were in over 20 rooms. The gardens are extensive and the lawn leads down to the North Sea. A most magnificent home with a lot of history. Parts of the castle date back to the 1200’s. I will be doing several photos of three of the castles later on the site, including Dunrobin. You can learn much more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunrobin_Castle
Jill on the side of the pond with the castle on the hill.
Castle Week /
We start our castle week overview with the picturesque Eilean Donan castle located on a small tidal island situated at the confluence of three sea lochs (Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh) in the western Highlands of Scotland. This was the home of the of the Clan Mackenzie. The 12th century castle was mostly destroyed in 1719 because of Mackenzie’s involvement in the Jacobite rebellion. It was rebuilt in the early 1900’s and the footbridge added. It is a popular tourist and movie site.
Eilean Donan, which means simply "island of Donnán", is named after Donnán of Eigg, a Celtic saint who was martyred in 617. Donnán is said to have established a church on the island.
Sunday Scripture: Photo is from a garden in Scotland /
Old /
These crosses are in the abby museum on Iona and date from about 700. The first of the celtic crosses.
Note the amazing carving. The ship is the one Columba sailed on from Ireland to begin this mission
This is likely the first Celtic Cross mid to late 600’s
Sometimes you get lucky /
I was taking a photo across the road of the gorse, the yellow blooming plant and I heard this nice engine sound and looked down the road and here came this vintage Jaguar Mark III circa 1960’s in this perfect color scooting up the highway. I was able to reframe and get some sort of shot quickly - not perfectly, but from Morse, found from the BBC on PBS, this is his car.
Greyfriars Bobby /
This statue is to a police dog who did not leave his master’s graveside for a considerable amount of time - years actually. However, it is not really known how many years. The city found the tourists who would come to the site very lucrative so they “may” have replaced Bobby one or two times. Yet, finally, he dies and his memorial is much loved and a highly visited site. His grave, however, is actually just outside the gate for a dog cannot be buried inside the walls of the church cemetery.
Open Occasionally /
This old crofter cottage is now a pottery shop that had “occasional hours.” It did not have a lot of traffic on the day we were there but these two found a comfortable bench to watch the walkers passing by on the way to either the sand beaches or the highest point of the island. Nice day to daydream and drink a coffee.
Exotic Caribbean Island? /
Nope. This is the beach at the north end of the Isle of Iona. Striking colors in the water, white sand and islands in the distance. But, of course, the water is barely about 50, so big difference.
Pink-footed Goose in Daisy Field /
There are actually two Pink-footed Geese in the photo. This is on the island of Iona in the Inner Hebrides. They are just one of 17 new birds I saw on the trip. So my European bird life list is now 18. I can sense a “bird week” emerging soon.
The "New" Cross /
This Celtic Cross - with a bit of the cross arms gone, has been in the spot for more than 500 years. It is one of the newer crosses on the property. What makes this unique is that it is one of the pilgrim crosses, where as people approached the old stone church on Iona, they would stop and pray. There are only two old ones in their original positions, this one is about 1/4 mile from the church. One side was carved with imagery of the crucifixion the other interlaced designs to elicit thoughts of eternity. This was paid for by the powerful Maclean clan. It is known as the Crois Mhicilleathain.
Did I mention.... /
…that Edinburgh was a wee bit crowded? On the Royal Mile with a few friends. I think one of the pubs may have had an open seat.
Bridge over River Aray /
The River Aray is a river of Argyllshire, in the heart of old Argyle running south from the hills to reach the sea in Loch Fyne at the county town, Inveraray. The town takes its name from the river, Inveraray meaning "Mouth of the Aray.” This bridge is on the old military road that once crossed into the town which in the 1600’s was located where the castle is now. The town was moved when the current Duke chose to rebuild a larger castle in the early 1700’s. The bridge is now a pedestrian passage to the trail to the “unpronounceable” folly at the top of the mountain.
Personal note, finally feeling better, more extensive blogging will resume soon.
The current bridge along the highway into town as seen from the ancient bridge.
Married Here... /
Agatha Christie’s second marriage took place in this church, The Parrish Church of St. Cuthbert, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It occurred in 1930 and the honeymoon took place in Egypt, sparking the idea for Death on the Nile, as her husband, archaeologist Max Mallowan, frequently led digs in the Middle East. Along with Death on the Nile, Murder in Mesopotamia, Murder on the Orient Express were also inspired by trips that Christie accompanied Mallowan.
Christie also wrote, Mousetrap, the longest running play in history, now at year 72. Jill and I attended a performance at the St Martin’s Theatre of the play. It was sold out. And what a treat the play was and, no, I am not permitted to share the answer to who did it. Get your own ticket!
Light /
Still doing a bit of quick work, but work! These ferns stood out in the dark woods of Argyle Castle and the woods of Inveraray. A shaft of light touched on them but the surrounding grasses were still in deep shadow. Beautiful moments.
Back, sort of.... /
We did arrive back in the USA and brought a bit of Covid with us. Nasty couple of days and now, mending but very tired. So I will at least get a photo up but not optimistic that much more will happen for the next two or three days. Lots of photos to share - once edited and some good stories so please be patient, come back and we shall see what unfolds.
Jill and Dave, day one in Inveraray on the Loch Fyne, a long saltwater loch and the home of the Campbells.
Dave is in the sick bay.... /
Is it a day yet? /
Up all last night, and all day as well, out of bed at 5am got Uber at six to the airport. 8 hour 15 minute flight did not sleep. And I have a terrible cold. The truth of the matter is that I am just out of steam. Come back this afternoon and I will have a post up. Perhaps.
The world’s second oldest steam locomotive. OH, “out of steam” now I get it. Go to bed Dave
Scotland Day Fifteen /
We took a walking tour of the Royal Mile for history and story. Very entertaining. I am exhausted ,so this is brief. We are flying home tomorrow. Jill and I walked 54,726 steps in 2.5 days here in London. So tired. Will write lots more next week on the whole trip.
St Giles Cathedral - home of Scotland Presbyterianism and John Knox’s church.
Victoria Street winds down from the Castle, popular shopping and eating area
Adam Smith of “Wealth of Nations” fame
Original size of the streets, most of them anyway. You can touch each side standing in the middle.
Scotland Day Fourteen /
Still in Edinburgh, we broadened the scope of our explorations. Of course, this still included a part of the Royal Mile, to get to some spots it is just a walk across but still it looms over everything in historic Edinburgh. So, for today, I will post a few of the details along the Royal Mile.
