Edinburgh Castle - Part 2

Continuing our tour.......

You can see Edinburgh in the far distance...just outside the Castle. Notice the rock, the volcano Castle Rock is the foundation for this great fortress. (It served many more years as a fortress than it ever did as a palace.) 

Though the castle may have been standing as far back as David I in 1124 (remember Holyrood Abbey), the road was added in 1464 by James III for the purpose of moving the cannons. Though it does not show well in this single photo, it is quite a sight! It has culverts for containing rainwater, and different stone textures for traction. Even the curves are well designed! It was not the easiest uphill walk though and had it been raining, it would have proven quite difficult. I never did see rails!

Up to the Summit! This is Crown Square, also known as he Palace Area. (We will catch other things on the way back down!) Underneath all of this is a collection of vaults...think of them as cells that held prisoners...all carved into openings in the volcanic rock. The building with the clock tower is the Royal Palace and was the residence where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to her son, James.

This is the Great Hall. Which is really about 40x 95 and just smaller than the TMA Gym lobby (50 x 100). It has one of those magnificent ceiling structures like we saw in many of the churches...the upside down ship's hull.  It dates back to the 16th Century, has some Renaissance influences, and is only one of two buildings in Scotland to still have the original Hammerbeam Roof.  None of this stuff particularly interested the kids, however the collections of swords, bayonets, pistols, and other military items certainly held their attention! This was used as a military barracks at one point in its history. 

Event the girls were fascinated by this military room!

Ah....the royal family line of Scotland! Murals were everywhere! 

And our Children of the King decided to fit right in to that Royal lineup!

We have our own House of Stewart - Stuart

Quite the interesting story!

Little James before he became King in 1603. 

The Honours of Scotland better known as the Crown Jewels (not the same ones belonging to the Royal line in England) These date from the 15th and 16th centuries and are the oldest Crown Jewels in the British Isles. The three elements are the Crown, the Sceptre and the Sword of State, all of which are seen on the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland.

Everyone had a bit of fun outside whenever they found places to pose and interact with statues or whatever improvisational object that they found. Delightful! 

This is the Scottish National War Museum. No photos were allowed inside. I would compare this (inside) to the reverence expected at our own Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. The museum had books and books listing the soldiers who served and died fighting for Scotland from about as far back as recorded history allowed. Quite moving!

I did not see the sign, but I am guessing Spencer found it underneath the statue at the gatehouse. The hat fascinates me. Actually he is standing next to the William Wallace plaque. (And you connected this to Braveheart, right?)

We will continue with Part 3 because we are having download issues today. I want the storyline order that I want, you see.

For all of those William Wallace fans out there, we will end this journey with a couple of quotes.

I'm William Wallace, and the rest of you will be spared. Go back to England and tell them... Scotland is free!
William Wallace

Every man dies. Not every man really lives.
William Wallace

Food for thought

Be sure that you "really live" by spending your life doing something you are passionate about. Passion means that you are willing to die for the cause.

Christ was pretty passionate about His cause, don't you think?

See you in part 3.