{"id":11517,"date":"2018-07-05T17:26:28","date_gmt":"2018-07-05T17:26:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/?p=11517"},"modified":"2019-05-26T08:10:09","modified_gmt":"2019-05-25T22:10:09","slug":"edinburgh-scotland-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/?p=11517","title":{"rendered":"Edinburgh (day 1), Scotland 2018 \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Date:  4th July 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelled: Only to Edinburgh by train \u00a34.40pp (return)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visited: Edinburgh Castle \u00a316.50pp (free for us), Mary King\u2019s Close \u00a312.50pp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stayed: Newcraighall park-n-ride \u00a30.50 per day. N55.93298, W03.09262<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We get a phone call from Jo and Ian in the early evening to confirm our location.  An hour later we are having a drink, discussing tomorrows adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 9pm most of the cars have gone home and there are 4 motorhomes left in one corner.  Motorhomes are like wagons in the old west we gather close for a feeling of security.  Anyway another quiet night passes.  We all meet at 8.30am as planned and walk the 100 metres to the railway station and purchase our tickets.  By 8.45am the platform seems crowded as the train arrives and we continue on to Edinburgh\/Waverly railway station.  Sounds a bit epic but its only two stops and we are there in 15 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The P+R trip is seamless and we are soon out on the street looking for a big dark castle on a hill.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The beer shop across from the station presents well !<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Walking up the hill towards the castle. Overlooking the Princes Garden the monument to Sir Walter Scott stands proudly. They take their poet and writers very seriously in Scotland.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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We arrive at Edinburgh Castle about 20 minutes before opening and the line is 50 metres long. So we wait outside the gates on the opposite side of the road.  Our strategy was correct, virtually everyone needed to buy or collect a ticket.  As Scottish Environment members we are ushered straight inside to collect our audio guides.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Michael and Pam's Photo Sphere (Edinburgh Castle Pano)<\/a>
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Another glorious summer\u2019s day in Edinburgh !  The locals are a bit concerned about climate change, they haven\u2019t had 3 days of sunshine since Robert the Bruce was a nipper.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A fine bronze statue of General Haigue (not one of my favourites) outside the Edinburgh War Museum. I should clarify there are several museums within the castle complex.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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As usual Pam looks lovely, appropriately layered for Scotlands unpredictable weather.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The original government house, also within the Castle complex.  Edinburgh Castle has been home and fortress to the Scottish kings since the 11th century.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Auther\u2019s note: we are both wearing our uniforms.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Some areas within the Castle have been reconstructed to appear as they did during certain periods. During the Napoleonic wars this area was used to house French sailors, hence the canvas hammocks etc.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The original Castle Chapel has been converted into a combined World War Memorial.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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