Crochet Guild of America: Tour of Ireland and Scotland Day 13: April 10, 2003 Edinburgh: Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle report by CGOA member Barbara Pretzsch

Thursday, April 10th we had a tour of Edinburgh.  Bill Peden was our guide with a very thick Scottish accent.  Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland with a population of about 400,000 people.  I think they were all on the street yesterday!  We are staying on Princes Street and it one of the most famous streets in the world.  On one side are stores and businesses and the other is a public park which is overlooked by the Edinburgh Castle.   We were later to walk down from the castle and across the park to get “home”. 

Guide Bill Paden and Tosca Mark

We stopped on the tour at a really nice overlook looking down on the city and Bill pulled out his bagpipes and gave us a concert.  He was quite good and along with his native costume was quite the sight. 

Palace of Holyroodhouse

We arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where the Queen officially stays when she is in town.  They also have a family castle elsewhere but if she is conducting official business she stays in Edinburgh.  We were guided up the spectacular stairway with beautiful paintings and tapestries hanging on the walls.  Mary, Queen of Scots bedchamber was on the tour and the beautiful ceiling was most impressive.  We ended at the Mary, Queen of Scots Ante-Chamber with displays of Stuart relics and mementos. 

Inside the Abbey at Holyroodhouse

Downstairs and out into the Abby we found it to be unusable.  There was no roof!  During wars, often churches were destroyed first since the religious centers were so powerful.  It was impossible to rebuild the roof, so the walls now stand in their magnificence. 

The road from the Castle to the Palace is called The Royal Mile.  We traveled the Royal Mile and eventually ended up at the Castle at about 12:30.  We unloaded the bus in the parking area in front of the Castle.

Walking to the castle

A narrow gateway lead into the area, which allowed only a few horses through at a time and a good opportunity for those defending the castle to ambush any attackers.

1 PM Gun Firing

One of the attractions here was the firing at 1:00 of the gun from the castle.  So rather than maybe missing this thrilling activity (now I’m not sure I made the right decision) I would find a good viewing spot and pass on viewing the Crown Jewels.  I did get a good view of the gun from above and watched as the officially dressed gunner prepared and fired the cannon.  A ball falls on a tower nearby at the same time and although I saw the tower as we left Edinburgh that Saturday, I didn’t see it fall at the firing.

After Bill left us to walk down the hill to the hotel and the gun discharged its loud bang, I found Delma and we began the trek back down the hill.  We meet up with others in the group and found a nice food cafeteria where I bought a tuna and cucumber sandwich for lunch along with a scone and jam. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a tuna and cucumber sandwich before.

Tartan Woolen Mill and Scott Monument

After lunch we continued down the hill passing many shops and stores along the way.  One store was the Tartan Weaving Mill.  It was quite large and with little shops around the perimeter, the center contained a working mill making the tartans.&nb sp; More post cards as well as a multitude of items for sale donned one shop and a beautiful blown and cut glass shop was in another corner of the building. 

By this time the rest of the walkers had gone off in small groups and it was Liz, Delma and I.  We continue down the hill and finally arrived at the park across from the hotel.  There were many children playing in the park as by this time it was after school and an ice cream kiosk lured us into its clutches.  The cones were so refreshing. 

On the way back to the hotel I ran into Linda and Marjorie who were headed to the Internet Café so I followed them and sent some short messages to friends and family.  I enjoyed some great hot chocolate too. 

Back in the room Liz and I opted for a light dinner, since it was not included on the tour.  Next door at the Marks and Spencer Department store they have an area exclusively for take out type food.  Sandwiches, roll-ups, salads, “crisps”, cookies and drinks etc., including wine in small one serving bottles.  I bought some orange juice, a salad with crisps, a bottle of wine and an apricot pancake.  It was not like a “pancake” but like a bar cookie.  Very good!

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©2004 Crochet Guild of America. Article and Photographs: Barbara Pretzsch Webweaver: Pam Oddi

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