Sunday, 6 June 2010
Places
Edinburgh Castle
The rain was lashing down this morning as we climbed the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle. Nevertheless we joined the other tourists on a guided tour, standing out with our preference for Gore-Tex jackets rather than gaudy plastic ponchos.
The castle complex lends itself well to exploring; there's no tourist treadmill here. The presentation of the Scottish Honours (Crown Jewels) was particularly enjoyable, as was seeing the Stone of Scone rightfully adjacent to them rather than in Westminster where I last saw it as a boy.
It was sobering to be present on the stage where so much history has played out - the room where the first joint Scottish/English king was born, the execution place of dukes, a holding location for prisoners from many conflicts.
The oldest part of the castle - and the last of our visit - is St Margaret's Chapel. In this tiny church one stained glass window stood out appropriately: Saint Columba standing at the bow of a boat, presumably heading towards Iona.