We started out the day with me, Judi, and Ray, and we headed over to Princes Street Gardens to climb the 287 steps up the Scott Monument.
On the way, we passed by the Warriston Steps that I climbed yesterday and this morning someone has added some artwork to them. It was beautiful and I think it was done in chalk!
The Scott Monument is a Victorian Gothic memorial to Sir Walter Scott, Scotland’s national hero. The stone spiral staircases as you go up get narrower and narrower and at the very top, it actually seemed as though the walls were leaning in on you and you had to squeeze your way up.
You can stop on the way at several levels to check out the stained glass and the 64 characters from Scott’s novels that are sculpted into the monument. We actually received a certificate for making it all the way up. The views were amazing.
Judi and I then went to the Scottish National Gallery to see the Queen’s Portrait Exhibit that brings together 60 of the most remarkable portraits of the Queen. The photographs were excellent. Then we went to the National Gallery to see the other exhibits.
We walked up to High Street and to the Tartan Center where Judi found her pottery piece that she wanted from Highland Stoneware. Then it was down to my favorite pub, The World’s End, where we had Scottish smoked salmon with bread and butter and Crabbie’s Ginger Beers. I think I am addicted to this beer. The nice, friendly bartender confirmed that my favorite ale that I had last time was Dark Island from Orkney.
The World's End Pub marks the boundary of Old Edinburgh. There are brass plates marking the outline on the road of the Netherbow Port. This was one of 6 gates into the city. Some people inside NEVER went through these gates their whole lives as there were tols to be paid to reenter. NEVER left the city! Criminals' heads were placed on spikes above the gate to deter other criminal activity.
On the way home, we popped into the Edinburgh Art to see some of Rob Hain’s art work. I just found out about him yesterday but I love his work.
For dinner, we went to the Southsider Pub where we had a light dinner with more Ginger Beers. We have just looked up the caloric content of the ginger beers andhave determined we must limit ourselves to one a day. : )
Pictures from top: Warriston Steps new chalk artwork that appeared overnight; view from Scott Monument towards the Castle; view towards Arthur’s Seat; the Castle and Ramsay Gardens where Allan Ramsay lived; view of Princes Street Gardens with Scott Monument in the center and the Balmoral Hotel where J. K. Rowling finished Harry Potter on the far right.
