-706830.JPG)
Dear Friends,
Edinburgh (pronounced eh din burr uh) is one of the most magically appealing cities in the kingdom. Known to early Scots as Dineidin ("hilltop castle"), fairytale Gothic spires and an imposing castle make it seem as though a talented set designer created it.
Edinburgh is the second largest city in Scotland after the industrial center of Glasgow. It is, however, Scotland's financial, cultural, educational, and service-industry hub. Among the city's manufacturers are paper, whisky, electrical and electronic equipment, food products, and chemicals. The printing and publishing industry was well established here by the 16th century. The principal imports are petroleum products, grain, ores, and wood; exports include whisky, steel, and fertilizer. The city is also one of Britain's major tourist centers. Edinburgh's central dominating landmark is Edinburgh Castle, rising on sheer cliffs above the city. Located here is the 11th century Chapel of Saint Margaret, the city's oldest structure. The Castle Rock is connected to the 16th-century royal Scottish residence of Holyrood Palace by a road known as the Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare of the Old Town district of the city. Other notable buildings in Old Town include Saint Giles, the national Church of Scotland (largely 15th century) and the Parliament House.
In August, during the Edinburgh Festival, the spectacular Military Tattoo is featured each evening on the grounds in front of the castle. The tartan uniforms and bagpipes add a distinctive Scottish air to the otherwise staid pomp and circumstance procession. This wasn't starting until Aug. 7 this year. I have always heard about this and some year would love to come and see it. However, it has to be reserved far ahead.
The ship was docked in Rosyth which was a 45 min. bus ride away from the city. They did provide a complimentary shuttle bus which was good. We took this into the city and then road the Hop-On-Hop-Off busses to tour the city. There are four different routes around the city but we only had time to do two of them. Since we have been to Edinburgh before and done the castle tour, etc., we didn't need to go into the main sites again.
Also, Dick had first come here in 1962 when he was a cadet at the US Coast Guard Academy and sailed from New London, CT to Edinburgh on the tall sailing ship, Eagle. He loves to tell the story of how they set the sails just after leaving New London harbor and sailed all the way across the Atlantic, around the top of Scotland, down the east coast and into the Firth of Forth. They drew circles on the chart around their anchorage and as they passed each circle, they took in some sails. He was third navigator when they made landfall, then moved to 2nd navigator as they sailed along the coast line, and was 1st navigator when they entered the Firth of Forth. When they approached the selected anchorage, they took in the last sail and dropped the hook. They had never used power. For him, it was a really thrilling adventure to have participated in. Last time we were in Edinburgh, we went to see the Leith Docks where the Eagle went in to dock the next day and Prince Phillip came aboard to welcome them. However, Leith had become all luxury condos so it looked quite different. Our table mates, and anyone who will listen, get to hear this story many, many times over the years, but especially when we come to Edinburgh.
Since it was a beautiful, sunny day and during the Festival season in Edinburgh, the city was very crowded.
We loved seeing it once again.
Jan and Dick
No comments:
Post a Comment