The Great Scottish Adventure

**Chas** · 27th June 11, 03:33 PM

I have always been a fan of architecture and in Scotland there is an almost unique style 'Scottish Baronial'. Like most older cities the ground level has been developed and re-developed again and again. The trick is not to look across, but to look up. In no particular order, pictures of the Royal Mile.

One of the closes or alleyways between two rows of shops. Note how it goes down and down and down and down. The drop between this level and the other street at the other end is some 50 feet!

You will have noticed that the rain has started and everything is taking on a shiny grey look.

Next - Some of the shops.

Regards

Chas

**Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM** · 27th June 11, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

...
You will have noticed that the rain has started and everything is taking on a shiny grey look.
...

I saw a picture of the Royal Mile once where the streets and buildings were dry. It just looked wrong to me

Rob.

**Chas** · 27th June 11, 03:55 PM

One of many, selling whisky - all with a variation on the name.

The Fudge House - probably the best fudge in the world. I bought two pieces of every thing, but it was not enough! My wife is still enjoying it. All the pieces were cut into smaller pieces and she is limiting herself as to how many she is allowed to eat in a day. If it were me it would be all gone on the first day - it is so good.

How do we know we are on the Royal Mile - just intuition.

This is half way along. It is called the Mercat Cross. On all formal State occasions, the Lord Lyon makes an announcement here. I believe the last time was the marriage of Prince William.

This picture from the Heraldry Society of Scotland, to show how it works.

Next - Top of the Royal Mile

Regards

Chas

**Chas** · 27th June 11, 04:13 PM

At the top of the Royal Mile is the Castle.

Lots of building work, getting ready for the Tattoo.

There was a wedding that day. Alex and I think it must have been a military person as the garrison chapel is nothing much to look at.

But next door to the entrance is an old water tower that has been converted into shops. One of which is Geoffrey (Tailor). Without further ado, in we went. Got to say that it was a bit of a rabbit warren. Round and round, little rooms and alcoves, then suddenly, this.

Everything you can see was once filled with water - of course, there wasn't any cloth or looms then, just millions of gallons of water. This is where Alex bought that great navy blue kilt (see other thread - somewhere).

We then headed back down the hill.

Note, Alex trying to dive out of shot and as I photographed down the hill, we were being photographed ourselves.

Next - The Bottom End.

Regards

Chas

**Chas** · 27th June 11, 04:49 PM

Bottom of the Royal Mile.

A shot of the castle - in the distance (the castle spreads out a bit). On the right is a monument to Adam Somebody, who I had never heard about. How important he is or was, I don't know. The interesting thing is the plinth and terrace he is standing upon - Scottish Baronial again. It crops up everywhere!

A little further on is the Scott Memorial - quite an imposing and impressive monument.

Next is the Scottish Parliament Building. Some love it - some loathe it. It was grossly over budget and over time, but it has a certain something. The more I see it the more it grows on me. The site is roughly 'L' shaped. Down one side - taken from the Royal Mile.

Taken from the entrance looking outwards, towards Holyrood Chapel. Note the three flags flying out side the Parliament, The Union Flag, The Saltire and the Flag of Europe.

Looking towards the Entrance. The flags are behind us in this shot and the main entrance is tucked away to the right in a corner.

This got left out. Half way down the Royal Mile.

What else to say. We found an excellent Turkish cafe/restaurant for lunch - wonderful food. I bought Margaret a green marble necklace, unique in Europe. The rain had not let up all day so we said good bye to the capital and headed back to the station. Again the train was waiting for us and we were back in Hawick before long. We dined in a really good Indian restaurant in Hawick - Alex knows some great places to eat and off the bed for an early start at the games in the morning.

This concludes Saturday. In real time it is 00:50 in the morning here, so I am holding Sunday until I get some sleep.

See you tomorrow.

Regards

Chas

**CMcG** · 27th June 11, 04:54 PM

Thanks Chas, it's great to see some of these famous and historic sites that I've only heard about.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 27th June 11, 05:37 PM

Great pictures, can't wait to see the ones of the games!

**kiltedRTR** · 27th June 11, 06:55 PM

Great picture! This makes me want to visit Scotland even more. Can't wait to see the games.

**Santa Wally** · 27th June 11, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

Bottom of the Royal Mile.

Next is the Scottish Parliament Building. Some love it - some loathe it. It was grossly over budget and over time, but it has a certain something. The more I see it the more it grows on me. The site is roughly 'L' shaped. Down one side - taken from the Royal Mile.

Looking towards the Entrance. The flags are behind us in this shot and the main entrance is tucked away to the right in a corner.

Chas

The Scottish Parliament Building absolutely looks totally out-of-place. It seems like a modern structure could retain some traditional elements that would be pleasing to the eye while still being modern and unique for such an important building. This is simply JARRING to the eye and senses. I've seen new additions on historic buildings in the U.S. that retain qualities of the original, if you can understand what I'm trying to say. Sorry I don't have any photos of examples that I could post.

Chas, I've really enjoyed the other photos. Thanks for posting them.