Storming the Castle

Today was our day for the castle. After a hearty breakfast we traced some of the steps of yesterday back past the Art Gallery and onto the Royal Mile, through the already in place Military Tattoo viewing platforms and on to the castle gate, the portcullis. Miche and Mickey have sensibly purchased a National Trust pass which meant that we could get priority service when paying for our entrance bypassing the quite long queue of other tourists.

We were soon right amongst the castle buildings taking in the memories and mementos of the various Scottish Regiments as well as the numerous royals who have used the castle in the past. We also spent considerable time taking in the great views from the ramparts. The weather gods were not as kind as the previous day providing us with rather grey and overcast conditions accompanied by a quite cold and brisk wind.

M&M The Guards	The Thin Red Line
The Military Tattoo Seating	Helping Guard The Castle

Edinburgh From The Castle Ramparts

Having checked out quite a few exhibits it was time to take in the firing of the one o’clock gun. Used to help the townsfolk set the time one story goes that the gun fires at one rather than the more traditional 12 because it requires less by way of manpower and explosive than firing off 12 rounds. As the following movie shows the firing is completed with the minimum of fuss by the one gunnery officer.

Heading round the corner towards the Royal Apartments we were stopped in our tracks by the changing of the guard outside the Scottish War Memorial. At least on this occasion there was more than one soldier involved though this ceremony had nothing in comparison with the changing of the guard at Arlington War Cemetery.

Wandering on further through the Royal Apartments and Great Hall, past the Crown Jewels and down through the old prison we checked out the many historical aspects of each. It was then on to the highest point of the castle where the dog cemetery is situated close by to Mons Meg, an old siege gun and St Margaret’s Chapel at the very highest point of the castle.

The Great Hall	Great Hall Far End
Great Hall Window	Almost At The Top

By now the wind had gotten the better of most of the crew and as we had basically seen all of the major attractions it was time to head for something warming. Miche suggested we should head for the Elephant House coffee shop famous as one of the places that J.K. Rowlings used to take her child to to escape the cold when she was writing the first of the Harry Potter books. The Elephant House is also into supporting elephant welfare and the room is dotted with elephant paraphernalia. A couple of the rear windows also provide great views of the castle.

The Elephant House

Ordering At The Elephant House

The J K Rowlings View

Suitably warmed and replenished we said goodbye to Mickey as he had to head off for work at the bar where he works. Now a group of three we once again trudged our way uphill to the Camera Obscura exhibit. The Camera Obscura is a clever device that works similar to a periscope to capture views of the streets below and project them onto a quite table in a darkened room so that viewers in the room see moving coloured images of the outside. Once can well imagine how the first people to see it might have been completely taken aback. The young gentleman doing the 40 minute presentation was very knowledgeable and also quite humorous in telling the tale of the obscura and some of the landmarks identified with it.

On each of the four floors below the actual camera are various exhibits that build on and rely on other aspects of optical illusionary including use of mirrors, numerous 3-D devices, holograms and plasma dome arrangements. All in all it took well over 90 minutes to finally make our way back to the ground floor before heading back to St Stephens Place.

Siamese Ms V

One Of The Plasma Devices

As it was another significant anniversary in the V&J partnership, (this being the 5th), a celebratory dinner was in order. Miche suggested a nearby French Restaurant, Chez Pierre. Calling in on the way past we were told the next available booking slot was for 8:30 which we took. As it turned out it was a great decision as the food was very good and the service impeccable although the restaurant itself was just a little too warm for some of our liking. Going outside to take in the night airs Mr P and Ms V enjoyed the gentle mizzle that had quietly descended before once again taking leave and heading to bed.

That 5th Wedding Anniversary Look

A Little Night Mizzle