The Weather Bruha is alive and well. I’d say Weather Witch, but witches are frowned upon in a country that taught Salem how to light the matches! At any rate, our sunshine continued! The Edin-burr-uh Castle loomed magnificent this morning as we stepped from the hotel to board the coach, all bright and awe-inspiring, surrounded by bluest skies.
The city guide pronounced the name of this place more like Ed-in-brah. I guess even they can’t figure it out… I’d say Edinburg and be done with it!
So Scotland’s economy grew out of the 3 Bs: Beer, Banking, and Books. Well, I’m not into beer, or scotch whiskey, and I’ve no money for banking, so that leaves books! Start with Sir Walter Scott. There’s a huge memorial to him, tall and ornate and gothic-looking.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has a statue of Sherlock Holmes at one intersection. Poet Robert Burns, (think Auld Lang Syne), is a favorite son, as is Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). The bus parked in front of the childhood home of Bobby Stevenson while the guide expounded on his life. He is a favorite author of hers, so she told us a great deal more than about the others. Edinburgh is a virtual book readers’ paradise!
Stopped at the palace where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned for 19 years before being beheaded by her cousin, Queen Elizabeth. Mary, BTW, was actually the rightful heir to the throne as Elizabeth was technically illegitimate, a product of the Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn scandal.
Saw a glimpse of the Britannia, the Queen’s yacht, but chose optional tour of Edinburgh Castle for the afternoon’s main activity. We walked up and up and up to the highest battlements, saw Mons Meg, a gigantic cannon that could shoot two miles! The stone cannonballs were size of basketballs! Also saw crown jewels of Scotland. Not as impressive as England’s, but rich in history, and oldest in the UK.
Walked from the castle to the hotel, all downhill, and I mean DOWNHILL!!! Around and around and back and forth on cobblestone streets… Oh, my aching knees!
Tonight was a Scottish dinner and entertainment that included venison pâté, no problem. And at intermission, they recited the entire Robert Burns poem about haggis… And then we were served a generous portion. If you google the haggis poem, do not read it before breakfast, or any meal… It was well peppered, and after getting past what I was actually eating, I ate all of it. Cross two things off my list today!
The music and dancing were fantastic, and there was audience participation. Who knew the words to songs I learned in elementary school were still in my head??? My Bonnie lies over the ocean… You take the high road, and I’ll take the low road… etc., and then there was a song where our line in a song about the breeze through a guy’s kilts was “Donald, where are your trousers?
One guy was pulled up to dance, and now he’s a celebrity. Said he’d sign autographs for a price… I figured another shot or two and he’d be stripping for free. Wine was included with dinner, which he had, but then he ordered whiskey so he could choke down his haggis.
We toured past what is colloquially referred to as the “pubic triangle” this evening… That’s pubic, not public… The red light district. Business was booming… Ahem… One of the gals on the bus wondered if she could make some extra money, but she didn’t have a license for it, so we drove on. What a fun night!