Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle sits on a bluff overlooking Scotland’s capital city, dominating the skyline since somewhere around 600 C.E. The line of royals that called it home is impressive. Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI here. He later became the first monarch of both England and Scotland. Reportedly, Mary Queen of Scots had a very difficult labor. A consort of the queen is said to have tried using magic to transfer the birth pangs to a servant.

: Thomas Guthrie, in front of Edinburgh Castle, was the most popular preacher in his day. He was the founder of the “Ragged Schools” in 1841, providing education for the poorest of Scotland’s children.

: The Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny are kept under heavy guard. The Stone of Destiny is an ancient symbol of Scotland’s monarchy, used for centuries in the inauguration of its kings. If a new king/queen of England is crowned, it will be tucked underneath the throne.

: Robert the Bruce, legendary King of the Scots from 1306, watches over the millions of tourists who enter the castle each year. Bruce had royal ambitions fueling his desire to free the Scots from English rule, leading to the Treaty of Edinburgh in 1328.

: On guard!

: The one o’clock gun is fired off every day at Edinburgh Castle as a way for maritime captains in the “Firth of Forth” to synchronize their clocks.

: Jess with a few of the Mons Megs cannonballs, each of which weigh 386 pounds. The cannon, built in 1449, could launch these about 2 MILES!

: Ghostly knights tell no tales.

: A clock made with antique pistols tells time with a bang.

: Queen Elizabeth receives a key to Edinburgh every time she visits the city. It’s been a long reign.

: Glorious at any time of year, we loved the castle with Scottish heather blooming.

: I’m so grateful to Jessica for researching and planning this trip!

: High tea and pinkies out at the castle.

: The Highland Regiments fit perfectly with Queen Victoria’s romantic image. Maintaining that image was expensive, and officers kitted out at their own expense. Being a member of the regiment became a magnet for wealthier and more fashionable officers of the army.