Scotland Day 4: tourists in Edinburgh

Since we didn't get to see the castle on day 1, back to the city we went.

 1st stop, Edinburgh Castle

it's SO cool how the castle is built ON the bedrock.

 I know that this site is a very important, militarily strategic location, with oodles and oodles of culture and history. But the integration of the stonework with the buildings was one of the most amazing parts of the castle, to me. 

Here is Drew in the the doorway to St. Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building on the Castle grounds. I guess Margaret was smaller than Drew. This was originally built by her son after St. Margaret died as a place of reflection and worship, but later, it was used as a munitions storehouse, and its history as a place of worship was forgotten for a long time. I thought the juxtaposition of this place being used is a storehouse for weaponry versus being used as somewhere to pray rather interesting. The stones don't care, apparently.

 This was one of the coolest spots on the Castle grounds: the Fore Well. It's a water well dug over 100 ft deep to provide water for the inhabitants and military inside the castle walls. One time it was filled up with rubble from bombardment of the castle walls and the inhabitants had to surrender.  Another time, the well wasn't providing enough water, and the military had to surrender. Moral of the story: water is strategic . 

 This fireplace is in the Royal apartments where Scottish royalty lived and stayed. In the adjoining room, Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her Prince James.

 The Royal apartments in the background with smiling American tourists in the foreground.

 The view from The Castle grounds.

 It's worth noting a bit about the weather since we've been here. I've been apprehensive that it was going to be cloudy and drizzly and cold, but Drew was in a t-shirt most of the day and look at these clear blue skies! We saw several natives in tank tops! 

Our next stop was St. Giles' cathedral, built in the 1300s. Amazing.

 The next stop: shopping and lunch.

 I had my first go at haggis. It was delicious! Drew had a tasty old standby of mac and cheese. 

I found fudge.

Our last stop on the Royal mile was Holyrood Palace, where the British monarchy has stayed when they are in town since the 16th century. I thought the crown built into the structure above the front entrance was quite lovely. 

This is where Queen Elizabeth II was lying in state last week. The flowers, handwritten notes, and memorials were very touching to see.

After our whirlwind tour of the Royal Mile, we sped up to Aberdeen where we'll stay for the night before beginning our Highlands journey. 

Our hotel room is very large and has a bathtub!