The following day we traveled to Edinburgh, where we had a bus tour of the city. Gene and skipped the trip to the castle since we had already done that, but instead went to Calton Hill for a photo op of the city. Calton Hill is the headquarters of the Scottish government, based in St. Andrew’s House on the hill’s southern slope. There are many monuments on the hill, among them the Nelson Monument and the National Monument, which was modeled on the Parthenon in Athens and was dedicated to the Scottish soldiers and sailors who died in the Napoleonic Wars. Construction started in 1826 and, due to the lack of funds, was left unfinished in 1829. This circumstance gave rise to various nicknames such as “Scotland’s Folly.”
From Wikipedea
The view
The Nelson Monument
We ended our tour with a visit to the Palace of Holyrood, the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland. It is located at the opposite end of the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle. Its building began in 1128 on the orders of King David I of Scotland and its name probably derives from a relic of the Cross known as the Holy Rood, which belonged to St. Margaret, David’s mother. The British monarch spends one week at the palace e each summer an in September of 2022, Queen Elizabeth’s coffin stayed there for two days.
You enter via a gate house and then are attracted to a Victorian fountain before actually entering the palace. Inside there is a lovely open court yard.
Adjacent to the castle are the remaining walls of Holyrood Abbey founded by David I. In December of 1768 the roof collapsed, leaving the abbey as it currently stands, a roofless ruin.
We walked in the gardens, which were exquisitely green and colorful, and covered some ten acres, a challenging walk but worth it.
On the way out, we noted a small garden building, surviving from the 16th century, known as Queen Mary’s Bath House, although it is not thought to have been used for bathing.
I hope you enjoyed this overview of our tour. We have lots more pictures and memories but these are the highlights.
Gorgeous! What a lovely trip. Thanks for sharing it with us, Noelle!
You are most welcome. It helped me organize my memories and prioritize things I might want to see again!
I enjoyed your photos and they Brough back many memories. Thanks, Noelle.
You’re welcome, John. I can’t believe we did all that!
I know right?
Lovely, thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Denis. Saved the Early Birds two hours!
Glad that you had a lovely trip.
Memorable for sure. I am still recovering.
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Thanks
Hi Noelle – these pictures look great. What a terrific trip and so many new memories! Hope you are doing well 🙂
We are fully recovered – both from the trip and Covid!
Oh no! I’m sorry you were both sick. I’m glad you are feeling better 🙂
We are, but a long haul. Off on another plane ride next week. masks on!
Hope you fared well!
We have a thousand more! Photo Op Pop had a great time! I am over Covid, finally, and we are off to Maine. in a week!
I loved learning about the monuments and the charming, yet unfinished National Monument – “Scotland’s Folly” adds such character to the city’s story! The walk through Holyrood’s gardens sounds absolutely enchanting, and your thoughtful narration made me feel as though I was strolling alongside you. Thanks for sharing these memorable highlights!
That’s so kind of you to say, especially when I was struggling to get through the gardens to get back to the bus on time. We were kept to a tight schedule!
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
Masalqseen This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.