Castle #2

Last Monday, May bank holiday, we visited our second castle using our Historic Scotland membership. It involved a train trip to the capital which was N's first time on a "proper train, as opposed to a tourist steam train.

  Off uphill from the station.

 Along the Royal Mile.

A masked Adam Smith.

The heart of Midlothian, captured without spittle.

 "Visitors will often notice people spitting on the Heart. A tolbooth (prison) stood on the site, where executions used to take place. The heart marks its doorway: the point of public execution. Some people spit on the Heart. Although it now said to be done for good luck, it was originally done as a sign of disdain for the former prison. The spot lay directly outside the prison entrance, so the custom may have been begun by debtors on their release."

Encountering Bonnie Prince Charlie

Approaching the castle, Edinburgh castle. It was busy, as you'd expect on a bank holiday. I'm sure it gets a lot busier than this in August, we won't be visiting then! After negotiating the confusing entry queues and trying not to get too annoyed by the rather rude girl selling tickets, we're in...

To be honest, for us the best thing about the castle was the fact that the views from it are pretty spectacular. Here we're looking over to Princes Street.

The view over the castle forecourt to Arthur's Seat.

Past the canon is Calton Hill.

Drain pipe detail. All was very spruce and neat and tidy, and a little lacking in atmosphere somehow. Just before this point we'd become inextricably entwined with the queue to see the crown jewels, if you're not a fan of enclosed spaces you'll probably want to skip this part - imagine an Ikea-like warren but with walls, full of people, and no going back once you're in there!

Most people passing the little orange trees checked to see if they were real, as did we. They're not.

 Time to go!

Scrumptious icecreams from the van outside. Hubby had one too, but he was too busy scoffing his for a photo.

The castle in the distance past the beautiful tulips.

Gorgeous!

We stayed to have tea at Pizza Express - mmm! The home on one of the slow trains, the kids were late to bed that night. Now, which castle shall we visit next...