Edinburgh, Scotland; Day 1 or I’ve no Tribe, I’ve A Clan

~decorative iron thistles prevent one from resting their bum on the window ledge~

This post contains many links which I encourage you to visit…I receive no compensation and it took hours to research, write and downsize the photos but I enjoyed it all. Hopefully, so do you and if you do, please sign up to receive e-mails…the trip took more than a week and posts will be written day by day.

A History of Scotland, by Neil Oliver, is my go-to for history and information and although not perfect, still a good read. Frankly, I dare not trust wiki anything and if Oliver is good enough for the BBC, that seals the deal for me although not everyone agrees. Oliver supports English rule governing Scotland (I’m still trying to work my head around English rule over Scotland and Ireland…I relate it to our (I live in VA, USA) War Between the States. If the South had won in April 1865, then today the USA would be divided into two countries…strange idea. Very strange. He does take liberties…after all, money talks and he, like Shaun Alex (Edinburgh vlogger here) and the rest of us, have bills to pay. No shame in that although the language and intent does rile at times and even Alex gives credit where it’s due.

Shaun Alex supports Independence and speaks here of Scottish Reaction to BBC’s Rise of the Clans…well worth watching…Scottish Reaction I mean as I’m not sure Rise of the Clans is available state side yet. Alex’s channel is well worth watching, especially the road trip which has whetted my interest.

To understand Scotland, she says lightly, one must understand so much has been lost to Mother Earth, Father Time and politics. Scotland is, originally, a land of many languages, many people, many clans including the earliest Pict’s, Gael’s, Britons. Notice I left out the Romans. Intentionally, I might add.

The name itself, Scoti, is Latin for Gaels, and some have ascribed Scotland’s origins to the Egyptian princess Scotia who sent scouts to find new islands which were settled by some of the original Lost Tribes of Israel. Researching this theory is going on an Alice in Wonderland trip as the trail leads and leads and leads with no definitive end. Still others believe earliest Scottish inhabitants were from Ireland; the 7th century (depending upon whom one believes) Irish document Senchus fer nAlban (The History of the Men/People of Scotland) claims the Scots speaking Gaelic were relatives to the Irish Gaels, especially those Scots of the Highlands and most especially the Hebrides. If you’ve followed my blog and, even more so, if you know me personally, you know the Highlands and the Hebrides bewitch me with their siren’s call and it’s there I felt at home.

Edinburgh grew up, so to speak, around the volcanic rock of Din Eidyn and was the stronghold of Gododdin who were Votadini descendants, tribes who lived under Roman rule. Edinburgh, as a walker soon finds out, seems to be carved around volcanic rock, supposedly built on seven hills and is comprised of two sections…the Medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town. Edinburgh is anchored on either end by Palace of Holyroodhouse (the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh) and Edinburgh Castle (home of The Royal Military Tattoo here) with Arthur’s Seat overlooking the Palace.

The airport tram stops city centre at St. Andrew Square/Waverley Station and a short distance from Waverley Station is The Malt Shovel (on Cockburn Street), a lovely pub with fabulous fish and chips alongside a Guinness. Yes, it’s a “touristy” pub but the food more than makes up for rubbing elbows with other tourists. /smile/ In all of Scotland pubs I visited, I ordered, paid at the bar then took my beverage and the food was brought when ready. I usually found and claimed my table first as I’m not one for eating/drinking out of hand and I absolutely despise perching on bar stools.

~ my view of Waverley Station ~

Sir Walter Scott, a son of Edinburgh, has several memorials built to him; this is one (and if I’m confused…three minute memory doncha know…let me know gently). Some favorite quotes include “Is death the last step? No, it is the final awakening.” “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!” “Success is keeping your mind awake and your desire asleep.” His poem, The Lady of the Lake, a poem about King James V and Clan Chieftain Roderick Dhu. Are you familiar with the tune Hail to the Chief? Click here for the story.

Castle’s Rock, according to Tim Lambert, was the site of a fort but in the 7th century (!) was captured by the English and called Eden’s Burgh (burgh being an old word for fort). The Scottish re-captured in the 10th century and by the early 11th century, the community flourished. Now. According to my tee shirt /haha/ Edinburgh was founded in 960 but as I wasn’t around then, it’s all good by me.

It’s going to take me a while, maybe never (let me be realistic), to figure out how to download the video of an Edinburgh piper but, if you’re friends with me on facebook, it’s downloaded there.

I’ll leave you with this Hopkins (an Englishman) quote, found on the new government building, near Holyroodhouse and speaks of things to come on my trip.

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