Copyright © by May DeLory
The Crown Jewels are worth the long wait in line. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.
Come take a pictorial journey through Edinburgh. You just gotta do a 007 James Bond Scotland journey! fb.me/1O8g7jh46
A wonderful classic film to watch is “I Know Where I’m Going,” 1954, love story with a twist, starring Richard Livesey and Wendy Hiller. The film takes place in Scotland.
Purchase BritRail’s Freedom pass in April. Detail at the end of this post.
FLASH THIS INFO
Watch an interview with journalist John McCarthy as he discusses photographs of the Prince of Wales’s 1862 tour of the Middle East in an exhibition about the tour. Cairo to Constantinople: Early Photographs of the Middle East is at The Queen’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse Edinburgh, Scotland until 21 July.
http://bit.ly/172sRJv
BRAVE wins at the 85th Annual Academy Awards.
http://disney.go.com/brave/index.html
http://natpo.st/KBxFdP
via @nationalpost
Get ready for New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh! You won’t believe how they do it in Scotland.
http://www.edinburghshogmanay.org/
http://www.icelandair.us/
Already in Britain and heading for Scotland? Nothing better than travelling by train to see the sights.
http://www.britrail.com/
Prince Harry (August 24, 2012)
http://bit.ly/Qyuq40
http://bit.ly/LbZxAL Scotland rail info.
Edinburgh Castle, perched high on the hill over the Scottish capital, was the birthplace of King James VI in June 1566. As well as an interesting tour of this Royal Palace where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her only child, James, visitors will experience The Honours of Scotland, which are the nation’s crown jewels. www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk
Are you BRAVE enough to wear one of these?
Edinburgh, Scotland, a city known as UNESCO City of Literature. Poet Robert Burns is still known to this day as the man who wrote Auld Lang Syne, a poem and song sang at the last day of the year.
Katherine Hepburn in the film “Mary of Scotland” 1936 http://bit.ly/PiRvf7 The film depicts Holyroodhouse, The Queen’s official residence (castle) in Edinburgh, Scotland. Holyroodhouse was founded in a monastery in 1128; it is at one end of the Royal Mile, while Edinburgh Castle is at the other end on the Royal Mile.
http://www.edinburgh.org/see-do/families/royal-attractions
23 Mayfield Guest House, Edinburgh
Just one of the many breakfast selections at 23 Mayfield Guest House — from sweet and savory to light and fill-up-the-tummy!
I used the East Coast line from the historic city of York, Yorkshire, England and within three-hours arrived at Edinburgh Waverley station in Scotland. I then took a taxi to 23 Mayfield, a guest house in Edinburgh, and kept the taxi running while I dropped off my bags. There is nothing better for setting a happy mood for a guest than a warm and cordial greeting from an innkeeper. I was made to feel welcome at 23 Mayfield and all I had done – in a mad rush — was to drop my luggage at 23 Mayfield’s feet and said I couldn’t come in…just yet. Not to worry, said Mayfield…we’ll take good care of your things until your return. And have a wonderful time….
With a wave of the hand I was off to the races! Musselburgh Race Course is just a ten-minute cab ride from 23 Mayfield Guest House. You can take a public bus from just about anywhere in Edinburgh to this tiny seaside region; but, as I already had my taxi running… it was not off with their heads! but, rather, off to the Musselburgh races! And the start of my Scotland adventure.
Black pudding is sometimes known as blood pudding and was very popular in Europe and especially England going back hundreds of years; perhaps, even thousands; it is thought that black pudding is one of the few dishes made by the Assyrians which is still made today. I enjoyed a black pudding and poached egg breakfast at 23 mayfield, a delightful private guest house in Edinburgh, Scotland. I’ve put 23 to the test and give it full marks in accommodation, food, ambiance, service and the ease with which to get to major Edinburgh attractions. www.23mayfield.co.uk
If smoked salmon or the most wonderful waffles and maple syrup are more to your taste you will not be disappointed at 23 Mayfield as the menu is extensive. White tablecloth table settings are assigned in a dining room with approximately five tables. Tables in the dining room are at a discreet distance from one another. Most pleasant. I sat by the large window; but, the view to the streets from the dining room may be seen from every table. 23 Mayfield is an Agatha Christie sort of spot…but not stuffy in the least. Excellent service is always a nice touch these days.
Brit Rail in Scotland.
Edinburgh Castle / prisoner’s cell door with personal etchings into wood
After breakfast I decided I would visit Edinburgh Castle in High Street on The Royal Mile in Old Town where high and low pubs and shops line streets and corners; it’s a busy section of the city and quite fascinating and very agreeable to visitors and locals alike. Another day I took a city bus to the seaside, a thirty-minute return trip from 23 Mayfield. A city bus is within a two-minute walk of the guest house. After fifteen-minutes on bus I find myself near the famous castle. The Royal Mile is where you’ll find quality tailors to suit you up just fine thank-you very much. On High Street I was very much impressed with KinRoss Cashmere (very near St. Giles Cathedral. St. Giles cathedral offers tours and there is a delightful cafe in the basement level of the cathedral for lunch or simply tea and cakes. Shopping for cheese is to be found in the Grassmarket at Victoria Street — a side street off The Royal Mile. And if you don’t mind showing your knees there are the finest cloths for the perfect kilt. Of course Scotch Whisky is easy to find on High Street and send home www.RoyalMileWhiskies.com . You’ll find the Art gallery of Scotland and Royal Scottish Academy on Princes Street in an area known as The Mound (big hill in ancient times). I took the #8 bus from The Royal Mile home to 23 Mayfield Guest House. My city of Edinburgh adventure was all so effortless and so much fun. www.23mayfield.co.uk
But it is the closes that I found the most fascinating as I’d not seen anything like it; perhaps there are such places in the world but I myself had not paid a visit. A close is a narrow laneway between buildings that connect one level of the city to the next so that one does not need to walk a great distance around long rows of connecting houses and buildings in order to get to another street. In the city where I live I found a handful of street names with the word “close” or “laneway” in the name. Mary King’s Close I found the most interesting as there is a tour beneath the streets of Edinburgh to visit the close. Mary King was one of the tenants in the close who outsmarted her dismal lifestyle. At one time the streets of Mary King’s Close in approximately 1645 were at the level now occupied by the city streets of Edinburgh. In Mary King’s time, when one area became overcrowed with people and disease the buildings were simply abandoned and built over. Modern restoration uncovered Edinburgh’s underground city. If you plan on taking a tour beneath the streets of Edinburgh, be warned: the tours are very popular with long lineups. The tour takes approximately 90 minutes and in dim light. No picture can do justice to the actual experience of being so far beneath Edinburgh.
Tour Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh, Scotland
Real canon / Edinburgh Castle built atop Castle Rock Formation
Edinburgh Castle
If travelling by city bus ask the driver to let you off at The Royal Mile. Don’t worry, there is much to see and do along the street on your walk uphill to the castle. There is a tea room within the castle grounds accessed from outside the castle. Unless you are very hungry, I suggest a visit to the tea room at the end of the castle tour. Guided tours are available at the castle but it’s perfectly okay to tour on your own. In summer months lineups are long but worth the wait.
http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/
Fine dining is close at hand underneath Edinburgh Castle. Castle Terrace Restaurant was recently awarded a Michelin Star. www.castleterracerestaurant.com
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
FYI
http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/
http://ow.ly/eiPjg
Christmas at the castle.
http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index/tour/3d.htm
Tour Edinburgh Castle in 3D.
The Art Scene in Scotland
http://shar.es/t5y7Z
www.23mayfield.co.uk Guest House 15-minutes by city bus to Edinburgh castle.
www.mellischeese.co.uk I suggest a traditional farmhouse raw cow’s milk organic cheddar from Loch Arthur near Dumfries or an unpasteurised raw cow’s milk farmhouse cheddar from Tobermory. I fell instantly in love with both. This cheese shop you cannot miss.
www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/queensgalleryedinburgh Palace of Holyroodhouse is at the opposite end of The Royal Mile to that of Edinburgh Castle.
http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/
Special royal collections on show the summer of 2012 to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk A unique spot for a wedding! Fifteen minutes from Edinburgh by city taxi. Check out Royal Scots Family Day each fall usually in September.
www.blackhart.uk.com Edinburgh tours of underground cities.
www.realmarykingsclose.com Edinburgh tours of underground cities and torture chambers.
http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/york
www.broughton-stuartjewellery.co.uk Broughton-Stuart Jewellery Limited / Craig Stuart B. Des (Hons) at 25 Atholl Street, Dunkeld
I took an Edinburgh city bus from 23Mayfield Guest House to the seashore. Twenty-minutes one way. Fab side trip.
Royal Scots Family Day at Musselburgh Race Course
http://soc.li/sygtBSa
Book of Spells.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/
Join a wildlife adventure.
Michael Smith, Chef/Director: The Three Chimneys Restaurant, Scotland, visits the Estates of Sunnybrook in Toronto, April 2013 to promote oysters and gin from Scotland.
http://www.threechimneys.co.uk/
Internationally celebrated Chef/Director, Michael Smith. Restaurant Magazin: list of the ‘World’s Top 50 Restaurants’.
Travelling by rail? Complete your booking, please email Info@acprail.com or call 1-866-938-7245 (toll-free for Canada
and USA). www.britrail.com Check out the 2012 fall travel specials.
Explore Natural Scotland with BritRail’s Extra Day Offer
Scenic Views Included
Visit Scotland’s Year of Natural Scotland in 2013! BritRail invites you to discover Scotland by train, where rolling hills, rugged mountains and sparkling lakes form the backdrop to historic castles and vibrant cities. The BritRail Freedom of Scotland Travelpass is the perfect companion as now you get an extra travel day when you purchase your pass between April 1st and April 30th, 2013. Enjoy multiple train trips on each travel day, while boarding any train on the National Rail Network in Scotland. Hop on and off trains en route to cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Aberdeen and Inverness, just to name a few. Pass holders also benefit from free travel on select Scotland ferry and coach services, such as Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services and select routes aboard Scottish Citylink buses, among others.
The BritRail Freedom of Scotland Travelpass extra day promotion will extend your pass by an additional day of rail travel, valid in standard class, adult and child fares, for either 4 days within 8 days or 8 days within 15 days, plus one of course! Take Edinburgh to Glasgow for example; with trains departing every 15 minutes. Hop on the train of your choice. 50 minutes later you’re there! BritRail Freedom of Scotland Travelpass BritRail Passes are valid for six months from the date of purchase, you can use your pass to travel anytime in the summer and beyond. Purchase BritRail pass before taking flight as BritRail Passes cannot be purchased in Britain.
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| Scotland’s outstanding natural beauty will be celebrated this year as the country showcases the best of its historic landscapes, natural playgrounds and fascinating wildlife as part of the Year of Natural Scotland 2013. For more information go to www.cometoscotland.ca Doreen Brown, Shetland Collection. Contact Doreen for information on Shetland knitting: mail@shetland-knitwear.co.uk |
Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh, 20 – 23 June, 2013
The 173rd show takes place this year and welcomes prize winning livestock, a celebration of rural skills and countryside living, and exceptional local produce. Last year saw sheep shearing competitions to shopping opportunities, and axe throwing to ceilidhs.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, 2012. Diamonds Are Forever. 2012 international celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen’s accession to the throne, the Tattoo’s Diamond Jubilee themed production was Scotland’s Salute to the Monarch and acclaimed as one of the most impressive ever stages. Information on the 95-minutes dolby digital sereo video please contact: www.musicinscotland.com
http://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/homecoming-scotland-2014/
Photos & Text Copyright © by May DeLory. All rights reserved. For use of images or content on this blog please contact May DeLory.
