Edinburgh is a LONG way from Dunoon (where we are currently staying). Or, rather, it is when my father does not go the speed limit (70 MPH) because every else drives maniacally. We woke up at 6 AM because Dad wanted to avoid the crazy traffic that comes with big cities. We went on Sunday to also avoid this trend.
I don't remember most of the trip because I was asleep in the car. I do remember seeing, through the car window, a graveyard that must have had as many tombstones as my home town has live people (50,000).
It was amazing.
The day looked up from then on. Literally. The entire trip was a bit of an uphill battle as we parked...somewhere (it was probably illegal, but we weren't caught) and walked 1.5 miles to Edinburgh Castle.
The capitol of Scotland is beautiful, full of fantasticly old buildings and churches that are older than the USA. Unfortunately, most of these churches have been converted into shops, cell phone cites, witches covens (yeah, seriously) because the churches are no longer populated in Scotland. Rumor has it that this is the same w/ all of Europe. Sad.
Anyway, we went up to the castle, which puts to shame every other castle I have seen thus far. It's...huge. An entire city (small, granted) lies within the castle walls. Several memorials, museums and exhibits are here as well.
We were walked around by a guide who had a great accent, so, on the sly, I recorded his entire presentation. I have no idea if I was allowed to...
Apparently, Edinburgh Castle rocks and the current line of English monarchs exist thanks to...a Scot taking the throne (James the 1st of England, and the 6th of Scotland). We saw the Scottish crown jewels (the steel for the sword is like 400 years old!) and the "stone of destiny," which is this ancient throne that Scots used to sit on to be crowned king...until the bloody English invaded Scotland, took the stone, and then put it under THEIR monarch's chairs. Well, the Scots got it back in 199(something) and will loan it to the English when the next king is crowned.
It was great. I saw a great war memorial and museum, saw dozens of awesome swords, decided the sword I want for a character in a movie that I and Kyle Cowgill are writing (you know the one Kyle. By the way, no one up here has heard of "him." Go figure).
We spent 2 hours in the castle, left the city...while I was navigating. Several times, i almost got us lost because, well, I'm not used to Scotland yet. but we got to the right place...finally.
And what was the right place? My ancestors' castle, Carrick Castle. Now, when I saw "castle," I mean "tower," and by "tower," I mean "ruin." It was...disappointing. Oh well. It made for some nice pictures and bragging rights (how many of YOU guys' families own a castle?).
Dad and I ended the day by walking around Dunoon and then finally watching Pan's Labyrinth on the tele. Surprisingly, both parents liked it. I think it helped that I warned them that it was rough...I went to bed after reading 30 pages of "Starship Troopers." You guys have to read it. It puts the movie to shame.
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