Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a fantastic blend of old and new. Old Town has cobbled closes (alleyways), narrow stairways, and curving steep streets such as the Royal Mile connecting the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which lies in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, the extinct volcano, up to the incredible Edinburgh Castle, used as the royal residency for Scottish monarchs, a fortress for armies, and a prison for pirates and POWs. Nearby is St. Margaret's Chapel, the oldest surviving building dating back to the 12th century.
The well-organized New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the central area of Edinburgh, has neoclassical buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. There are Georgian townhouses, broad avenues, open squares, chain stores on Princes Street, upscale boutiques on and around George Street, chic hotel bars, and atmospheric cocktail lounges.
Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens
with Edinburgh Castle in the background.
Princes Street Gardens (old and new).
Old Calton Burial Grounds, opened in 1718,
is owned and operated by the incorporated Trades of Calton.
Royal Mile (Castle in the left background).
More Edinburgh Castle Photos:
Main Entrance
Inside the walls.
I waited forever for this guy to finish photographing,
but I actually ended up liking the photo
with him in the foreground the best.
More Old/New Contrasts:
Edinburgh’s stunning spires, castles,
monuments, and architecture formed a world-famous glorious panorama—until “a
looming new addition,” the W Hotel in St James Quarter, appeared.
Some referred to it as a polished turd
clad in bronze-colored steel with its invasive fecal peak photo-bombing Kodak
panoramas no matter where you stood.
Writers accused the shimmering pile was
evidence that “despite all the UNESCO World Heritage site protections,
conservation group campaigns, and lengthy planning negotiations, shit still
happens.”
Meanwhile, followers
of the Golden Turd Hotel Twitteraccount posted enough photos of the structure to win a
surprising landslide victory for the 2020 title of the worst building in the world.
This retail shopping center should never have been allowed.
My PG-rated take reminded me of an ice cream cone.
Others in the group had more of an X-rated interpretation.
I did love the two new Forth Road bridges, though.
After breakfast, we spent our final morning in Scotland, meeting artisans preserving some of Scotland's most iconic traditions.
It was during our visit to Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers, specialists in crafting the highest quality traditional handmade tartan kilts, that we met Gary, the current owner, who shed some light (no pun intended) on Scots in battle shedding their tartans and exposed their family jewels when they interfered with the battle charges.
So, what do Scots wear under their kilts? They go commando or wear underwear.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dh3x8uNy0x4
Gary, the owner of Nicolson's, looks spiffy in his kilt.
The sporran (the leather pouch hanging in front of your kilt
held in place by a belt and chain) was added to keep
your belongings are safe since kilts don't have pockets.
Today, it usually contains a cell phone.
The Kelpies, created by Glaswegian sculptor Andy Scott, arethe world's largest equine sculptures at 98 feet high.
They were unveiled in April 2014in Falkirk as a monument to Scotland's heavy horses that powered ships through the canals.
Interestingly, though, according to Scottish lore,
the Kelpies are malevolent, shape-shifting mythical water horses. When the early evening transitions to total darkness,
they are pretty creepy and more threatening
when they start to illuminate within.
THE 2023 ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO REVEALED
I won't lie. This was the annual event behind my decision to visit Scotland in August. I was still waiting for our trip itinerary and if I could even get a ticket, but miraculously, everything worked out. On our last evening in Scotland, I was shooting videos like a mad woman in the nosebleed section. It was worth every penny (or pound sterling). I was concerned with the late starting time, but earlier daylight hours would have negatively impacted the incredible light shows and special effects.
Myths and Legends Abound. Scotland Revealed. Inside the University of Scotland Green. What do you think Scotland is like? Bagpipes? kilts? Tartan? Shortbread? Whisky? Enchanting castles? The Loch Ness monster? Outlander? Braveheart? Haggis and other gross food? Golf? Constant rain? Sheep causing traffic jams? Redheads? Factoids: Scots do not wear kilts all the time. We never asked if men wore anything under their kilts, but we did learn when kilts interfered with battle charges, they were shed and revealed the family jewels in all their glory - sights that the British troops would never be able to unsee. Scots don’t eat haggis or deep-fried Mars bars every day They speak English, but unraveling their accent takes a few days. (Gaelic is another matter - even to Scots.) The country is filled with midges (tiny biting flies that will drive you insane within seconds). Okay, this is true in Iona. GLASGOW REVEALED Scottish architecture is a blend of influences, including Celtic, Romane
Old Packhorse Bridge in Carrbridge, a historic landmark dating back to 1717, has been an important crossing point over the River Dulnain on the old main road north through the Highlands. It was built with low parapets, allowing pannier-laden horses to cross without hitting the sides. Its fragile appearance is due to the damage incurred by the great flood of 1829. Amazingly, the remaining sliver of stone has survived two centuries of flood events. Walking on the arch is discouraged, but many crossings are available to gain access on the south bank. Paul challenged us to see who could take the clearest photo of a faraway farmhouse through the hole in this rock. I couldn't use my zoom lens because it kept hitting the rock, so I had to settle for this photo. But Lowell was the clear winner with this one. We continued our drive through the lush landscapes of Cairngorms to reach Ballater, a picturesque Victorian Village at the base of Cairngorms National Park. Lunch was on our o
ROBERT BURNS REVEALED We drove to Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway to learn about his life as one of Scotland's national treasures. He was a beloved poet and author celebrated for works like Auld Lang Syne, the famous song sung worldwide when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve. Scots even have an annual holiday, Burns Night, on January 25, dedicated to him. Friends and families gather to read Burns's poetry and share a meal of haggis. The Burns Cottage, where Burns was born and raised, has been converted into a museum with handwritten manuscripts and historic artifacts - the most amazing one being the original Burns's children nightgowns. The village along Poet's Path to Auld Kirk, where Burns's parents are buried. Wicker Effigy of Tam O’Shanter on horseback. Robert Burns's epic poem, "Tam O'Shanter," published in 1750, reflected his love for supernatural stories and his hero Tam. Ten weather vanes along the 1.5-mile Allo
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