Edinburgh Castle-Part 3 of 3

Can you stand to see more? You have not even seen the views yet!
There are many many buildings in the Castle complex and we only showed a few, but do check out the link when you finish the tour. Then you will book your flight for Scotland!

The oldest structure in the Castle complex AND the oldest building in Edinburgh. This is St. Margaret's Chapel. The story dates all the way back to 1066....fast version. Margaret was born into the royal family in England (1045)...Norman invasion (1066) she ran to Scotland for safety in the court of Malcolm III. They fell in love. He relished war, she was religious. 1093 Disaster~ Huband and son both killed in an ambush. Margaret took to her bed at the Castle and died of a broken heart.
Her youngest son....David I....(remember him?) built the chapel in her memory. By 1250 Margaret had become a Saint because of her love for those in her adopted country.
Is your heart melting?

The chapel is so small and the occupancy is only 18-24 but small military weddings are still performed there to this day. Though it was used for things other than worship over the centuries, it has been returned to its rightful use as a plaee of worship.

One of the things I particularly enjoyed about traveling with EFTours, was our guides. We were always on a time schedule, but we rarely felt seriously rushed (unless we were shopping, of course!) We only had Keith (our REAL Scot) for a part of the day, but when he and Terry saw that we were so close to departure time and would miss this incredible activity, they suggested that we stay. He and Terry are a great team, and it is no surprise that they are also good friends. 

The One O'Clock Gun

What could we compare this to....the 9 PM Disney fireworks? Well, that means something to me, because I hear/see them every night. It means...wrap it up and get ready for bed!
The One O'Clock Gun is still fired daily (Except Sundays and Christmas) precisely on time. It is a tradition remaining from 1861, and the days when it was a time signal for ships in the Firth of Forth and the port of Leith.
The firing is coordinated with the Time-Ball on Calton Hill at precisely 1300 hours so the captains of the ships can set their watches precisely. (now, today we have electronic and gps gadgets, but please....the ambiance of it all!)

You might ask...why 1 pm and not noon?  Well, 12 cannonballs or one? Economics dictated that answer!

Prepare

Raise he Cannon

3-2-1

YES! One O'Clock!

OK...I snagged the photo before this one online somewhere.
I was steady, ready, the ONLY photographer to actually get the shot....but can you tell, that the firing shocked even me!
BAM!

Keith and his wavy Macintosh. (Not a computer....his raincoat!)

Now...for the surprise of the day....totally unexpected because remember that we prepared for and expected rain on a daily basis for this trip.

Next up...views from the Castle

New Town on your left, Old Town on your right. Do you recognize any of the structures?
Also....locate the tallest spire (and look up!)

Rainbow! We could see both ends that day!
Sir Walter Scott Monument

Do you recognize Calton Hill? The cannon fired, the ball dropped on the hill and the Ship Captains on the River could see and hear so they could calculate accurate time!

Thanks for joining us at Edinburgh Castle!

Telephone Boxes never ceased to amaze these students. Records show that Scots can fit all or parts of 25 people in a telephone box Americans...four. 

We could have stayed longer, but we had people back home who wanted us back. 

Just love this....exit signs. They are so much more artistic than our boring lit up boxes over the exit doors. 

If you can't stand it and want a 360 degree tour, check out the link!

Edinburgh Castle 3D Tour

From Princes Street at night. Isn't she beautiful?

Many of us shot the castle at night but Savannah's camera won for BEST NIGHT SHOTS time and again!
Savannah...send me the name of that camera!

Food for Thought

This last shot makes me think of being that shining city on a hill. What could that mean on an individual basis? I think it means to stand out in a positive way. Be a contrast against the darkness...and we could say, the darkness of this world.

In the art world,  positive and negative is different than it is in the way we typically use the terms. Positve ...the space that is...or what you happen to be drawing, painting or creating. Negative, the space around what you are drawing or painting..or creating.

I like the blend of the two. Positive...what I am creating...or more specifically, what God is creating in me. Is it good? Is it something that will draw others to want to know more? Well, that is my goal...to be more like Christ daily. I don't get it right every moment of every day....no one does. Sometimes my opinions are stronger than others care for, but other opinions are stronger than I care for as well.  (Hopefully it teaches tolerance and balance....but never waivering in principle)

But...back to that shining city on a hill.....boy, I want America to be that, not in her past, but all the time.
It starts with each of us. And it also means being strong enough to stop the negative from overcoming the positive.

Thanks, Savannah for that stunning night shot.
Let's challenge ourselves to stand out in positive ways!

Tomorrow....The countryside and off to Northern Ireland.
Pack, then sleep well young travelers!
Edinburgh....we have loved every moment here!