Edinburgh Zoo

In Edinburgh the temperature reached 17 degrees centigrade and it was a good day to visit the Zoo. It is a compact Zoo and we noticed work in progress to built an area for Giraffes.  It appeared a popular venue for half-term, though the children seemed more interested in climbing the frames and riding the roundabouts in the play-area than looking and learning about the animals. This was fine with us as we made out way round the one-way system. There were allotted picnic areas on the hill top with spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges. It was an ideal site to  have our home-made picnic and enjoy the sunshine.  I have put together a few images of the animals. The Wallabies, Panda and the Sun bears were basking in the sunshine. The male and female sun-bears had been rescued from a cruel ordeal. The male had visible scaring on his abdomen where I suppose he had been abused to removed bile for alternative medicine that does not hold any scientific basis.    Poor bears and we then learnt that there were behaviour problems because of the traumatic experience they had endured.  

Edinburgh Botanical Gardens

The Botanical gardens looked beautiful in Autumn colours.  Access to the Glass houses had to be booked and we found ourselves quite alone walking through the steamy humid atmosphere. It certainly was callenging as the camera and my glasses steamed up!

Edinburgh Castle Since the 12th Century

After visiting Holyrood Palace at one end of the Royal Mile, we walked to the Castle at the other end of the Royal Mile. A Scottish mile is 1,984 yards whereas the English mile is 200 yards shorter at 1,760 yards.

There has been a royal castle on the rock since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and the site continued at times to be a royal residence until 1633. From the 15th century, the castle's residential role declined, and by the 17th century it was principally used as military barracks with a large garrison.  There were few people here and despite the dull day it was dry. The views must be amazing on a day with better light.  The castle medieval architecture was interesting.  As one of the most important strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle it was involved in many historical conflicts from the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century to the Jacobite rising of 1745. Research undertaken in 2014 identified 26 sieges in its 1100-year-old history, giving it a claim to having been "the most besieged place in Scotland and one of the most attacked in the world". 

The Scottish National War Memorial occupies a converted barrack block on the north side of Crown Square. It stands on the site of the medieval St. Mary's Church which was rebuilt in 1366, and was converted into an armoury in 1540.  It records recent names of those lost in recent conflicts.  There was a lot to explore including the Great Hall. the half moon battery, the Froog's gate, St Margaret's chapel, Governor's House, Queen Anne's building.  The views from the castle walls stretched far to the ;mountains.  The day was dull so the images appear very sombre and grey. There were few visitors.