The Scottish Experience
We left Windermere on Wednesday and headed north for an overnight stay in Edinburgh. Along the way we stopped to see Carlisle Castle, just this side of the Scottish Border. Carlisle Castle was originally built by the Romans. The Celts, Normans, and finally the British built on top of the site. It was built as a small fort on the border of England and Scotland. The Castle sits on one corner of what became a walled city. At one time Mary Queen of Scotts was imprisoned here. The Castle is also famous in history as a battle between England and Bonnie Prince Charlie of Scotland. The Scotts eventually lost and scurried back across the border pursued by the English who defeated them in a great battle. Up until 1959 the Castle was occupied as a British garrison.
We left the castle and Howard proceeded to whisk Lynda across the border to Gretna Green. Gretna Green is mentioned in many of the romance novels she reads. It is the place where the heroine was whisked away from her family and compromised by the hero. Howard was looking for the famous accommodations that the heroes may have stayed at (the three hours daily special). Lynda said after 40 years she was already thoroughly compromised.
In the drive up to Scotland, we had to divert due to construction on the road we were supposed to take. Low and behold, we ended up driving past Neuthrude House – a Girl Guide Training Center Lynda visited on her previous trip to Scotland. She became very emotional, reliving her past experiences. Eventually we made it up to Edinburgh. Of course, finding the correct road to take to the B&B became quite a challenge. We stopped at a retail center and a kind man tried to explain how we should go. His accent was hard to follow, but Lynda finally managed to understand, the just follow me. It appeared that he was going in that same direction. Thanks to him, we finally made it to the street we needed.
We had time that day to tour Edinburgh Castle. The Castle started out as a palace and a fortress. During the tour they talk about the conflicts with England. It is interesting to see how the same set of facts is looked at from two different points of view. The Castle has always been used by the royals as the defensive position in case of attack. It has also been used as a prison. During the American Revolution, American prisoners of war were held here. Currently, it is still used as a garrison as well as a major tourist attraction.
Eventually, one of the royals decided that they would be a lot more comfortable at Holyroodhouse Palace just down the road. It was attached to an important Abbey. The Palace wasn’t near as drafty as Edinburgh Castle. We walked down the Royal Mile from one to the other. A royal mile is definitely longer than a normal mile. We must have walked at least 3 miles from the Castle to the Palace. The Palace today is not only a tourist attraction, but is still used by the Royal Family for state functions and visits. It was beautiful inside. It was laid out in the same fashion as Versailles in France. It is not as lavish or large as Buckingham Palace. We walked around the garden and met Tillie, a 2 yr. old white golden retriever. Her owner works at the Palace, and Tillie sleeps under her desk for most of the day. Tillie’s daily romp is through the Palace Garden, which she considers her own. She knows all the hideouts of the royal squirrels which inhabit the trees. She stalks them, but hasn’t managed to catch them.
In our trek down the Royal Mile, we stopped at a Woolen Mill that specialized in making tartan material. It had a very interesting exhibit on how the material is made and the various styles of tartans over the years. Of course, they sold their wares. Lynda was able to purchase a Black Watch Royal Regiment lambs wool scarf. She has always identified with this group and was very pleased with her purchase.
Our time in the North was too short. As we headed back to the Lake’s, we drove through the Clyde Valley – I wonder if our friend Clyde knew there was a valley that used his name. Finally, back in the Lake’s, we set to getting ourselves organized for our trek to the South on Saturday. We found that we have collected a number of purchases and treasures along the way. Thus, we have come to realize we will need to purchase additional small duffel. On our final day in the Lake’s, we went on a tour of the local area to the south of Windermere Lake. We found our small duffel in a local outdoor marketplace in a small village.
We relaxed “at home” and prepared for our next excursions.
We’re off tomorrow – T&T
We left the castle and Howard proceeded to whisk Lynda across the border to Gretna Green. Gretna Green is mentioned in many of the romance novels she reads. It is the place where the heroine was whisked away from her family and compromised by the hero. Howard was looking for the famous accommodations that the heroes may have stayed at (the three hours daily special). Lynda said after 40 years she was already thoroughly compromised.
In the drive up to Scotland, we had to divert due to construction on the road we were supposed to take. Low and behold, we ended up driving past Neuthrude House – a Girl Guide Training Center Lynda visited on her previous trip to Scotland. She became very emotional, reliving her past experiences. Eventually we made it up to Edinburgh. Of course, finding the correct road to take to the B&B became quite a challenge. We stopped at a retail center and a kind man tried to explain how we should go. His accent was hard to follow, but Lynda finally managed to understand, the just follow me. It appeared that he was going in that same direction. Thanks to him, we finally made it to the street we needed.
We had time that day to tour Edinburgh Castle. The Castle started out as a palace and a fortress. During the tour they talk about the conflicts with England. It is interesting to see how the same set of facts is looked at from two different points of view. The Castle has always been used by the royals as the defensive position in case of attack. It has also been used as a prison. During the American Revolution, American prisoners of war were held here. Currently, it is still used as a garrison as well as a major tourist attraction.
Eventually, one of the royals decided that they would be a lot more comfortable at Holyroodhouse Palace just down the road. It was attached to an important Abbey. The Palace wasn’t near as drafty as Edinburgh Castle. We walked down the Royal Mile from one to the other. A royal mile is definitely longer than a normal mile. We must have walked at least 3 miles from the Castle to the Palace. The Palace today is not only a tourist attraction, but is still used by the Royal Family for state functions and visits. It was beautiful inside. It was laid out in the same fashion as Versailles in France. It is not as lavish or large as Buckingham Palace. We walked around the garden and met Tillie, a 2 yr. old white golden retriever. Her owner works at the Palace, and Tillie sleeps under her desk for most of the day. Tillie’s daily romp is through the Palace Garden, which she considers her own. She knows all the hideouts of the royal squirrels which inhabit the trees. She stalks them, but hasn’t managed to catch them.
In our trek down the Royal Mile, we stopped at a Woolen Mill that specialized in making tartan material. It had a very interesting exhibit on how the material is made and the various styles of tartans over the years. Of course, they sold their wares. Lynda was able to purchase a Black Watch Royal Regiment lambs wool scarf. She has always identified with this group and was very pleased with her purchase.
Our time in the North was too short. As we headed back to the Lake’s, we drove through the Clyde Valley – I wonder if our friend Clyde knew there was a valley that used his name. Finally, back in the Lake’s, we set to getting ourselves organized for our trek to the South on Saturday. We found that we have collected a number of purchases and treasures along the way. Thus, we have come to realize we will need to purchase additional small duffel. On our final day in the Lake’s, we went on a tour of the local area to the south of Windermere Lake. We found our small duffel in a local outdoor marketplace in a small village.
We relaxed “at home” and prepared for our next excursions.
We’re off tomorrow – T&T
posted by Toot and Teaser | 7:49 AM
1 Comments:
I've been listening to albums of celtic music, drinking losts of tea, huddled under blankets, and pretending I'm in Scotland. It's snowing here already (precipitation for over 24 hours that has turned to snow), and the mountains are long gone under a heavy cover of clouds and snow. I imagine that your house is nice a white by now.
Post a Comment
<< Home