Two Castles A Day Keep the Podiatrist Away

A day that starts with two castles and ends with whiskey is a pretty interesting day.

But first, a technology update. We have been riding around Edinburgh in a very high-tech bus. Pardon me, motor coach. It has two large video monitors which displays to the passengers the view the driver sees looking forward. More remarkably, it has no exterior rear-view mirrors. Instead, it has two backward facing video cameras which display the view to the driver on two narrow monitors. Very neat.

Driver's Video Mirror

Now back to our regularly scheduled program. Ancient Edinburgh is anchored by two distinguished castles at either end of the Royal Mile. The Royal Mile starts at Holyrood Palace and goes up and up and up and up and up (you get the idea), ending at Edinburgh Castle. In a display of the power of Tauck, we were able to enter Holyrood an hour before the general public so we had just our small group for the tour of the public spaces and some non-public spaces on the second level. This is the Scottish residence of King Charles and his apartments are on the third floor.  As good as Tauck is, we were not able to visit those apartments. Holyroodhouse has been as the principal royal residence in Scotland since the 16th century, and is the setting for state occasions and official entertaining.

Early morning Holyrood Palace

 

After this tour we took a tour of parts of both the old and new cities of Edinburgh before winding up near the top of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. I say near because from where the motor coach let us out, we still had a significant bit of climbing on the Royal Mountain Mile to reach the Castle. Our excellent local guide gave us a great orientation to the castle and then we had time to wander around the various buildings. From the entrance of the castle to the top is all cobblestones so more than once during our visit I was thankful that it did not rain today. Rain slick cobblestones on a steep incline are not anyone’s friend.

 

We observed one tradition while in the Castle. It seems that an earlier monarch had visited France and saw the firing of a canon twelve times at noon to signal that midday was occurring. This was for those who could not read a clock.  A great argument ensued when it was suggested that this practice should become a tradition at Edinburgh Castle. Several people argued that firing a canon twelve times every day would be very expensive. A solution was found when someone suggested that the canon be fired at one o’clock every day, so just one canon shot would be used. Thrifty Scots. 

 

Back at the hotel we enjoyed a leisurely lunch with new friends, Bruce and Jackie Messenger from Connecticut and then a quick visit with Laura Buckmaster and Alec Pearson, friends from the US who we discovered were In Edinburgh for a few days on the way to a wedding of one of Laura’s cousins.

Jim, The Lady, Laura & Alec

 

After a quick clothing change, we were off to The Scotch Whiskey Experience back on the upper Royal Mountain Mile. After a short mountain climb to the restaurant, we were offered the delight of three Scotch whiskeys paired with an appetizer, main course, and dessert.

Our Whiskey Pairings

Suitably oiled by these victuals and libations, we returned to the hotel to prepare to leave Edinburgh and head out to the English countryside tomorrow.  Bags ready at 7 am, wheels turning at 8 am.