As we were walking we got an immediate, and strong taste of what Scotland had to offer. What was crazy about going there is that it feels and looks like what we had envisioned Scotland as being. For other places, arriving is sometimes a jarring and mind altering experience, but for some reason Scotland only confirms our pre-made impressions we already had. My opinion: this was a very good thing.





















Some of the architecture was breathtaking, and the way the streets wound and curved around the city was quite nice. Just strolling through Edinburgh is an experience alone. I didn't mind the walk at all. We showed up a bit before check-in time so we had all the time we needed.




We got even closer to Edinburgh Castle and checked it out from the ground. It's impressive No wonder it's been around for so long. I feel bad for whoever was on the attacking side. Herro girls!




Easily the highlight of our trip, Edinburgh Castle is a monument to the Scots. The more time you spend learning of Scottish history, the more you realize these guys really were a warrior nation, and they bear the title rightfully so. I immediately fell in love with Scottish history.

Michaela, Emily, Michael


This Gem of a Scot was a lucky find indeed. He walked us through an amazing tour that even rivals--but of course doesn't surpass--the skills of Peter. Plus he spoke in a Scottish accent and had a dagger in his sock so he was pretty much awesome.

Edinburgh Castle had been a Scottish stronghold since before 1000 AD! The castle was pretty sweet from the outside, but it was only after we jumped on the tour that we were really able to start appreciating what it stood for in Scotland's past.

This building to the left, higher up in the interior landscape of the Castle, is the official headquarters of the Royal Scott's Dragoon Guards. It was once the calvary regiment of Scotland but has since been transformed into Scotland's Tank Division.
Our guide had to hold down his kilt to keep the wind from flashing his goodies all over the Castle's historical grounds.

Though the building above is impressive, it's not the most coveted of the constructs within Edinburgh Castle. Our Guide explained to us that in 1294, the English captured Edinburgh castle. No easy feat considering the castle had its own well and renewable farmland within its walls that could theoretically endure a siege for years.
       Regardless, the English found a way. They hammered the castle until they took it, and held it for 20 years, effectively gaining a foothold deep in Scottish territory for two decades. However in 1314, King Robert the Bruce planned and spearheaded a covert night attack on the English-held castle. In the middle of winter, 30 Scottish Highlanders climbed the walls and overtook the sentries by stealth. 300 garrisoned Englishmen--drunk from whiskey to be able to sleep and stay warm--died in their sleep at the hands of the Highlanders. But the force was too small to hold the castle so the King ordered everything within burned down. Everything except this below:




This is the inside of the chapel. It's awesome because it's close to 1000 years old. But something tells me the stained glass is not quite that old... Recent addition? Yes.






Moving on to...











We walked down and saw where the soldiers used to sleep back in the day. It's no wonder the Englishmen had to get trashed to sleep. They were cramped and crammed into these sleeping quarters underground, and they didn't have central heating, mind you.




When we emerged from the subterranean abode of the Scotts, we still weren't at the bottom. We came out to this sight, overseeing Edinburgh, the Capitol of Scotland.












This is me taking a picture of Emily, taking a picture of the inside of the canon.











After the castle the rest of Edinburgh was great, but I didn't have much time to take many pictures. I got this church that I saw walking up one of the many hills in down town. It now doubles as a theatre!









Now check this out, we were at a restaurant in Edinburgh and I felt adventurous, so I got a traditional Scottish food....



I was mesmerized by this guy. I don't know what it was. I mean, look at his face. It was the perfect combination of mythical-sounding bag-piping, spontaneity, and really sweaty scott in the sun. I literally stood and stared for 20 minutes. He occasionally glanced at me uncertainly, before taking in a massive breath of air and replenishing his bag. Jokes aside, I'm in love with bag pipes.