13-14 March 1999 Edinburgh, Scotland

The St George on Princes Street

I met up with James at the Birmingham Station to catch the train after work to head up North. We spent about 6 hours on the train before we got to the other end. We arrived Friday night about 10:45pm and took a taxi to hotel cause it was raining. We stayed at the George InterContinental Hotel that dates back to 1795, it was a beautiful Georian building.

Entrance to Edinburgh Castle

On Saturday, we took the tour bus around town. We stopped at Edinburgh Castle first. It sits upon an extinct volcano overlooking the town. The oldest part of the castle dates back to the 12th century, Saint Margaret's Chapel. Every occupying King or Queen, modified or added to the original structure, as you will see a rich architectural mixture of palace, fortress, barracks, chapel and war memorial.

This is where Mary, Queen Of Scots gave birth to her child JAMES CHARLES (James VI) and where the Scottish jewels are housed. The vaults here were used to hold prisoners in the 18th and 19th
and centuries and for storage. The prison had dummies in cells showing how it had looked back then. The jewels weren 't much compared to the ones in London's Tower. As you enter the castle, there is a place where you can obtain a CD player and listen to the history of the castle.

James and I walked around town after having dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe across the street from the hotel. From the main road, Prince's Street, the castle is illuminated and it is really breathe taking and a beautiful site. The town is full of Georgian buildings and many at night are lit up. It's a great town and I enjoyed it very much. I'd love to come back.

Palace of Holyrood

At the other end of the road, you will find the Palace of Holyrood. This is the Queen's official Scottish home, this is where she stays and official engagements are held. We had a good Scots tour leader in a kilt escort us around the palace and tell us about the state rooms. The great hall with portraits of "farnily members" was a funny story told by our guide. Since the painter "freshly" painted these, had very little time to devote to the project, and didn't know what the ancestors really looked like, he used the first 3 faces he saw in town in all of the pictures. Look at the side views and the noses. You see the same faces over and over.

Holyrood Castle Abbey

We saw Mary's bedroom and the spots where her secretary was murdered by the help of her husband who led 3 men up to her bedroom through the secret passage ways from his bedroom below up to hers. It was a nicely decorated place. The ceilings are made up of horsehair and egg whites molded into shapes. You would never believe that would you, you would think plaster. The ceilings were so beautifully molded. There are lots of stairs in the palace and the guide said that there is a lift, but the Queen Mother (who will be 99 this year) prefers to walk them. I took photos and video of it outside -no photography/video allowed inside.

Grayfriar's Pub and Tribute

The most remarkable story was about the Grayfriar's Bobby. There is a statue of a little Skye terrier who for 14 years guarded and visited the grave of his master everyday. What love and devotion!! They created the statue before the little guy died and once his master was dead, towns people fed him. He would stay by the headstone til it was time to eat then come into town and return back to the headstone to sleep.

I was so glad that James went with me. I absolutely hate being alone and doing things alone. It really gets lonely and at times, not even enjoyable because you are not sharing the moment with someone you love. I can't believe I've had the chance to see things I've heard so much about and have read about all my life.