'Tis another lovely morning with puffy white clouds and blue sky, and we've risen rather late, so we decide to stay in town and finally visit our beautiful castle next door — Stirling Castle. But first, since it's so pretty out, I thought I'd show you a few pics of our flat.
The view from our bedroom window
The outside of our flat (what used to be the officer's barracks of Stirling castle)
The view north towards the Wallace Monument
Stirling Castle (and wee-devil) in the foreground, and our flat on the far left in the background.
We begin our visit to the castle by taking a very informative tour, which gives us the background and history of the marvelous structure. I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say, that it was a historically important fortification and the site of many sieges and battles over the centuries. It also sits on its high volcanic rock, visible for many miles in every direction. Quite impressive...
Volcanic rock below the south side of Sterling castle
King Robert the Bruce was the heroic King of Scots who secured Scotland's independence from England in the late 13th century.
The Palace and Bowling Green gardens
In front of the Palace
More of the beautiful gardens and castle palace
View of the William "Brave Heart" Wallace monument from the castle
Turrets of the castle's main entrance
Turrets and Bowling Green
A Stirling lassie
A Stirling lad
After a long walkabout the gardens and grounds, we walked the two blocks back to our flat— but in the wee distance I hear bagpipes. I race back to find Mr. Robert MacDonald playing the pipes. He had just finished up, but at my kind request (more like pleading), he plays another song fer me. Aye, it is music to me ears...
Video of Mr. Robert MacDonald, piper extraordinaire
On me way down to the flat, I stop by for a wee visit with our downstairs neigbors, Alistair, Sarah, and their sons, Joshua and Matthew. They were just finishing a BBQ in the yard, and it smelled yummy. Jon came down from the flat to join us, and we all had a swell time.
Our friendly neighbors
When my stomach started to growl, it was a sign to go into town for some grub. We decided on a restaurant/bar called "The Wall", and I tried me hand at Scottish "Haggis." It sounds horrible, but it is rather good. Especially if it is prepared on top of some mash and smothered in whiskey gravy. Yummy. We also shared some steak pie with chips and overdone veggies. After our big "Scottish" meal we trodded our way back up the hill (huffing and puffing), and prepared to call it a night. Except, I forgot ....I need to write this blog, so here I am. And now...I go to sleep.
No comments:
Post a Comment