Even More Edinburgh: Calton Hill

I had the most free time in Edinburgh - hence the number of pictures from Edinburgh.  These are the last bit.  It is of a very very lovely part.  Another free attraction that turned out to be one of the best parts of the trip.  Really worth spending an afternoon. I found it just randomly wandering around . . .

It is a big park

Cool door

Steps into the park

Big tower!

Cool monument thing

House!

Nice view of the city

Nice big strolly roads

Pretty flowers to add to the walk

Another nice view

Coming upon the tower

Even more views

An observatory!

A greek . . . ruin . . .

Still more views

Look mountains in this view!

And random bonus pictures!

Haggis chips are a must, skip the irn bru . . . unless you like bubble gum sweat

Flap Jack - the Scottish kind not the delicious southern pancake - though it is delicious

Fun packaging . . . but just a chocolate bar . . .

It was a great trip.  Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Edinburgh Castle!

A big attraction in Edinburgh is of course Edinburgh Castle.  I went the first day I got in and was a bit tired . . . and then it rain . . . well drizzled/rained.  Which one should expect in Scotland . . . that's what makes the whole country seem so Gothic.  I found the castle to be a bit over price . . . but it was the only one I visited this trip, so I decided it balanced out.  I honestly preferred the walk around the castle to the castle itself.

Coming up from the royal mile . . .clearly a popular spot.

The view.

The gate is guarded . . .

It has cliffs even on the inside!

Cannons!

Statue near the military museum . . .

It really is a large cannon

Tiny church!

Monument

Front of the monument

Great hall and stuff . . .

The gate is neat . . . again we are inside the castle here

 I decided to explore around the castle during the afternoon (I was sick of shopping).  The road will get you part way around and then there is like an awesome park walk!

Approaching the castle from the street . . . behind the royal mile.

Lots of nice buildings this part of town

Great view of the castle complex.

Another we are moving around to the park here.

This view could use some goats . . . I love goats.

Looking back on the park walk

I love all the black rocks!

It looks damp even when it isn't raining  . . .

The view away from the castle

Another great view - look sun!

Slightly different sunny view.

I highly recommend the walk around the castle.  Go in if your starving for a castle.  The gift shop is also quite nice.  But, it really isn't that great of a castle to roam around . . . I prefer my castles a bit fally-downy and treacherous.  I hope you get a chance to visit! 

Greyfriar's Cemetery Edinburgh

I'm going to try and get the rest of the posts and pics from England put up here.  I've been super busy teaching, but that is done now.  I'm free.  Well free for a week and then I'm in Japan for a month.  We will see what the internet access is like. 

Today your getting the super awesome Greyfriar's Cemetery(if you click on the link there is a nice little video) - home of Greyfriar's Bobby (who is a now deceased dog).  It really was one of the neatest things I did in Edinburgh.  If you visit I highly recommend it.  The coolest hat shop ever is also located quite nearby.

Entering through the small not very noticeable gate

Hope Bobby likes sticks

It is a real church still . . . one gets used to touring churchyards that are occupied by you know members and believers etc

I love skull and crossed bones!

Dancing Skeletons? Why not?

Cool tomb type graves, attached to the nice family houses and businesses

Yes that is someones actual window there.

They look like really nice fireplaces

Nice View

There is a statue in this one

graves everywhere!

Me and the graves

I think this one looks very fancy

Layers of graves

It really is a beautiful walk

The prison is looked so you can't get in.

Awesome vault

Nice ground stone

Enhanced my modern hands . . .

I imagine they have the bars to keep bums and teens out . . . and tourists

He's just relaxing.

Lovely lovely grounds

Church itself looks newish

Despite the high volume of pictures. It really isn't a huge churchyard.  Just a lovely one.  It is also a really pleasant way to spend and hour or so - for free.  I didn't read in this one.  I do love reading in cemeteries, quite and lovely.  You get less weird looks when you do it in the UK.