The girls and I explore the courtyard!
Once inside, no pictures were allowed in the actual rooms. I wish I could have taken some pictures, though, because it was beautiful! We got to see rooms with different color schemes, styles, and decorations. We even saw the room where the Queen receives Knights of the Order of the Thistle and her attire for Scottish ceremony! We also got to see Mary, Queen of Scot's bedroom and the site where David Rizzio was murdered, which was interesting. All of it was marvelous and lavish. The Queen lives there! It was cool seeing them spruce up the place, since the Queen is due to visit in two weeks!
Outside, we were able to take pictures again, and I got some shots of the destroyed Abbey and the Palace gardens.
The Abbey
Outside the Abbey
Palace greenhouses!
Did I mention our gorgeous weather?
Preparing for the Queen's garden party, first week of July!
After our trek through the palace, we picked up a few things in the gift shop (aka, I bought a Scottish teddybear and a postcard with William and Harry on it) and braved the mile. To Edinburgh Castle!
We got a little distracted on the way, though.
Dog in the window!
Fried Mars Bars!
Pirate playing Pirates of the Caribbean!
JK Rowling's hands!
Funhouse mirrors!
So eventually, we made it to Edinburgh Castle. It was so nice to see it again! Especially with the newly-acquired history that we've obtained over the past few days. Exciting stuff! This time around we covered St. Margaret's chapel, the Crown Jewels, the War Memorial, and the castle prisons. It was a great little tour.
Castle gates
Mons Meg! Part 2!
Final group pic in St. Margaret's Chapel
Happy 446 Birthday, King James!
A kind Scottish shopkeeper offered me a sip. Delicious. Maybe a wee gift for home?
And then we locked Laura and Olivia in a prison cell
Outside of Edinburgh Castle!
It was a fine venture indeed. We had a great time and it was beautiful weather!
On our way out, we got a chance to stop my St. Giles Cathedral. No pictures allowed (you had to pay for a "photo pass"), but I snuck a few. I got to light a final candle for Papa and Uncle Jim in their homeland.
A beautiful place
We finished the day by meeting up with some of the boys and heading to a pub (where I had the worst salad of my life and everyone else got fancy things like "William Wallace" burgers and haggis and neeps or something).
Overall, it was a truly royal day! I'm making it an early night, since we have highland adventures awaiting us tomorrow! We'll be off to Fort William, Glencoe, and Loch Ness in the morning! Cheers!
1 comment:
Wonderful day and nice to see the companion picture of you with your cannon. You look so much more grown up in this version (almost made me have a wee greet - shed a few tears). Loved the snaps you snuck at St.Giles and the final candles in Scotland for papa and Uncle Jim. I'm sure your papa would say, "That's ma wee lass.".
You neglected to comment in your posting yesterday what the cabdriver said to you yesterday when you told him your mum was a Scot. As I recall from our webcast he asked if I had married an American and when you said yes he said, "Ah, poor lass." Ha-Ha. I'm sure there is a wee bit of Scot somewhere in the many nationalities that dad's family seems to have.
Can't wait to hear the exploits of the Loch Ness (and swimming) expedition. Enjoy your last 2 days. Can't wait to see you, but I know you'll miss your home away from home. LY, Mum
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