You know me and ruins

The Scottish Borders

Today I hauled my butt out of bed early in order to make it to my tour on time.  I booked a tour called “The DaVinci Code and Borders Tour.”  Not that I've read any of Dan Brown’s books…and I've only seen bits and pieces of the DaVinci Code movie, but this tour promised old churches and ruins.  Not to mention that I’d be experiencing an area of Scotland that most people don’t think of seeing when visiting Scotland, The Borders. 

I got there VERY early, which is a good thing.  I really didn't get lost at all, due to my following the instructions given to me by Google (I plugged in my earbuds this time and listened to the turn by turn). While waiting for the minibus, I noticed that we were standing by the entrance to yet ANOTHER cemetery.  I had a half hour, so in I went.

This was The Old Calton Cemetery.  I found some very interesting things there

This is the burial place of David Hulme, famous historian

Imagine my surprise when I came across this statue of Abraham Lincoln in an Edinburgh Cemetery.  It’s to commemorate the Scottish American soldiers who died in the civil war

It was overall, just a cool little cemetery.

When our tour began, it wasn't full, so I had room to spread out my stuff. I sat on the passenger side of the minibus so I wouldn't have to see traffic between myself and the view.  It ends up it wasn't necessary as we mostly drove on country roads and were rarely on busy motorways.  I decided early on not to try to take photos out the bus window, as I’d had so little luck in the past with that.  I’m not sure if I regret that.

It was a lovely, sunny day.  Our tour guide kept telling us how strange this is for Scotland.  A lot.  Our first stop was an overlook called Scott’s View as it was a favorite spot of Sir Walter Scott.

I tried to get a shot here of the River Tweed, which you can barely make out below and to the left.  There was just one big, huge lovely VIEW here.  There were yellow flowers everywhere.  A few were fields of early blooming rape seeds (for biodiesel), but most were gorse

They smell like coconut, but are prickly as all get out.

We then piled back into the minibus for a 10 minute drive down the road to see a monument to a Scottish Legend

William Wallace.  This statue is HIGHLY romanticized as the sword is huge, there is a weird dragon on his helmet and he’s wearing a kilt.  Wallace was from the Borders and, at that time, kilts were only worn by Highlanders. 

Then we were off to Melrose Abbey, the ruins of an abbey dating back as far as the 10^th century.

Much like Glastonbury a couple of years ago, this Abbey was destroyed by religious reformation.  It was actually rebuilt after Edward II destroyed the first one.

It did have some interesting remaining architectural elements though

As well as some lovely views

There is a bit of the original ceiling left

And some other pretty bits

We know I love my gargoyles

REALLY love my gargoyles

Of course, one thing this abbey is still famous for is that the heart of Robert the Bruce is buried here.  The rest of him is at another abbey.

After a trip to the gift shop and a tea room for a quick lunch of a tuna sandwich and strange side salad thingie (sort of cole slaw over cucumber and tomato salad with apples), we were off to our next destination.  It was about an hour drive and our driver (rightly) decided to take a scenic route. 

We arrived at Rosslyn Chapel and I paid my admission.  No interior photos allowed, so we’ll stay outside.  I did wish I could take pics of all of the green men and other nifty carving.

It’s a teeny little place, which is likely because it was never completed as designed.  The St. Claire who first intended to build it, died before it really got very far underway.  That’s why the front has walls too wide to the side.

However, it does look a bit like a teeny cathedral from the side

And it had lots of cool gargoyles

And other nifty carvings

Although I was starting to fade, I took the short hike to Rosslyn Castle

Which was mostly in ruins

Other than the house that still stands there.  I think it’s still the home of the St. Clairs (they still own Rosslyn Chapel).

I had to cross this bridge to get to it, which you can imagine was the only way across to the hill the castle once stood on.

Short drive back to Edinburgh where we were returned to a spot very close to the Royal Mile.   As it was 4:30, I didn’t feel comfy trying to get to the castle, so I decided to visit the H&M I saw nearby.  Yep, bought stuff…LOL.

I wanted to show you the Edinburgh version of a police box.  Not very Tardis-like is it? 

Tomorrow, I have to try to jam a lot of stuff into a day.  Edinburgh Castle, a Museum or two, and packing up.  Oy veh.