Edinburgh to Stirling-to view the entire blog (starting with the most recent post) click on 2011 on the right under archives

More of Mugdock Castle, north of Glasgow. There was nobody home.

It would be a drag to be Patrick McNicholl. I guess being the second to last would be a bummer too, and you wouldn't get your name on the plaque 300 years later.

 These shelters were  built during world war II for protection from German bombing.

Brochen Lom (gaelic for runny porridge). Fortunately for Jo, this was more creamy than watery.

On July 4 I had an amazing lesson with Alison Kinnaird in Temple. We worked on treatment and ornamentation of traditional air melodies. This is the view of from her driveway-the ruins of the church and graves going back 600+ years (The Knights of the Templair). 

Another shot from Ms. Kinnaird's driveway. 

Imagine this in your backyard. Original pagan stonemason's tombstone. Check out the mason tools on one side and the bones on the other. Alison's husband told me their kids once found an ancient skull while playing in a nearby ravine.

We're guessing this creepy tombstone could be from the 1300's. After my lesson with Alison we spent the rest of the day walking around Edinburgh. Here is the castle which overlooks the city.

 

After my lesson with Alison we spent the rest of the day walking around Edinburgh. Here is the castle which overlooks the city. This picture doesn't capture the immense size of the place.

Here is a cool picture of Edinburgh-you can see the outline of the castle up to the left of the clock tower.

 We are so glad to be here!

Another E-burgh shot.

On July 5 we headed to Stirling Castle, at the foot of the highlands. This place is a fortress, steeped in history. At the entrance is the statue of the legendary Robert the Bruce, the warrior who became king at the beginning of the 14th century..

From Robert's  statue we could see the William Wallace (breaveheart) monument thru the misty haze.

Gotta be careful up here!

We began to realize how much serious stuff went down here. One thing is for sure, if you mess with the king, bad things happen. This earl didn't respect the kings wishes, and was cut "neck to navel".

The tour guide gave us a brilliant tour with the history and significance of this hallowed place. Whoever held Stirling Castle controlled all of Scotland.

The original entrance.

I'm out of internet time-I'll post more soon from here at Stirling, and a bunch from up in the highlands and the Isle of Skye