Edinburgh Castle

On Sunday I headed over to Edinburgh Castle, the centerpiece and main tourist attraction of the City. High atop a volcanic rock formation, this spot been some sort of fortress for over a 1000 years. It's seen its share of kings, queens, and battles - I ate up the history on the audioguide. The views of the City were striking. I was pleasantly surprised by the military history sights at the castle - a moving memorial to the war dead and a really interesting military museum with videos and a great exhibit of military recruitment posters dating back over the centuries. Some things never change, governments consistently promise signing bonuses, seeing the world, and glory to entice its young men to risk their lives to serve a politician or monarch's purposes. The castle also includes the Scottish Crown Jewels, used during the coronations of monarchs (including the Stone of Scone, a big grey rock that kings and queens have sat on for centuries, and still do today at their coronoation.) It rained on and off during my visit, but I stayed warm with some mutton soup at the cafe.



My lame attempt at being artsy while walking up to the Castle.



Looking up at the Castle from the West. Tough to scale those rocks. Those buildings are still in use by the military.



Closer look at the volcanic rock face. You can definitely feel the security of the high ground when you're inside.



Approaching the Castle from the East, just off the main drag of the Royal Mile.



The Royal Palace.



Pet Cemetary for soldiers' dogs. Georgian New Town in the background.



Reception room in the Palace.



Scottish War Memorial - no pictures allowed inside the shrine.



Great Hall.



Looking out at Arthur's Seat. Royal Mile to the left (follow the steeples).



Looking out to the Northwest at Calton Hill and the Firth of Forth.



Looking down on Georgian New Town - built in the 1700s after filling in a lake.



Shout out to Kelly Keenan - a German medal depicting a victory at Scapa Flow.



Dusk - New Town and Calton Hill.



The start of the Royal Mile at Dusk. Just outside the gates.