Sullivans' Travels

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Scotland 2011

June 2-9, 2011
With only one week to visit this part of the UK we decided to try to fit in as much as we could (our typical-style vacation), so we first spent 2 days in the glorious capital city of Edinburgh, then rented a car and headed northwest to see some of Scotland's finest scenery. The Highlands and the Isle of Skye were the main highlights of our fast-paced 5 day drive before heading back to Edinburgh for our flight home. Along the way we explored beautifully restored castles as well as alluring ruins of castles as much as 1000 years old!
We savored the lush landscapes of Scottish rolling hills surrounding the serene Lochs Lomond, Katrine and of course, Ness!
We marveled at the stunning vistas of the Cuillin Mountains on the Isle of Skye, enjoyed the company of the locals at the many lively pubs and even took in a tour of a whiskey distillery.
Of course we could've used more time, but being there the first week of June we had so much daylight as the sun didn't set until nearly 10pm, we really got to fit in a lot of great sight-seeing! And we also got really lucky with the weather for the most part...sunny and 70 degrees for our 2 days in Edinburgh!!! Some sun here and there mixed with more "typical Scotland" weather for the rest, but that actually makes for some dramatic scenery.
I tried to capture all of that with these images.
Enjoy!
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  • The Royal Mile - Edinburgh
Runs from the entrance of Edinburgh Castle to the gates of Holyrood Palace.

    The Royal Mile - Edinburgh Runs from the entrance of Edinburgh Castle to the gates of Holyrood Palace.

  • Edinburgh Castle
The castle consists of a collection of buildings sitting on a fortress on top of the summit of an extinct volcano called Castle Rock.
Throughout the ages the castle was continually besieged, held by the English as well as the Scottish, but always to rise again.
Most of the present buildings date from the16th century, but there has been a royal castle here since at least the 12th century.

    Edinburgh Castle The castle consists of a collection of buildings sitting on a fortress on top of the summit of an extinct volcano called Castle Rock. Throughout the ages the castle was continually besieged, held by the English as well as the Scottish, but always to rise again. Most of the present buildings date from the16th century, but there has been a royal castle here since at least the 12th century.

  • Crown Square at Edinburgh Castle - served as the main courtyard for the castle. It dates from the 15th Century.
Scottish National War Memorial (left) and Royal Palace (right)

    Crown Square at Edinburgh Castle - served as the main courtyard for the castle. It dates from the 15th Century. Scottish National War Memorial (left) and Royal Palace (right)

  • Untitled photo
  • Foog's Gate - dates from the 17th century

    Foog's Gate - dates from the 17th century

  • Untitled photo
  • St. Margaret's Chapel - dates from the early 12th century
This small chapel is the oldest structure still standing in the castle today.

    St. Margaret's Chapel - dates from the early 12th century This small chapel is the oldest structure still standing in the castle today.

  • St. Margaret's Chapel

    St. Margaret's Chapel

  • Overlooking Mill's Mount Battery and the One O'Clock Gun  - the gun is fired every day (except Sunday) at precisely 1:00.

    Overlooking Mill's Mount Battery and the One O'Clock Gun - the gun is fired every day (except Sunday) at precisely 1:00.

  • Argyle Battery, together with Mill's Mount Battery (to its west) were the main northern defenses of the castle. 
A great view of Princes Street Gardens and the New Town to the north.

    Argyle Battery, together with Mill's Mount Battery (to its west) were the main northern defenses of the castle. A great view of Princes Street Gardens and the New Town to the north.

  • View of Arthur's Seat from Edinburgh Castle
Arthur's Seat is the main peak of the group of hills which form most of Holyrood Park.
The hill rises above the city to a height of 823 ft and affords excellent panoramic views of the city.

    View of Arthur's Seat from Edinburgh Castle Arthur's Seat is the main peak of the group of hills which form most of Holyrood Park. The hill rises above the city to a height of 823 ft and affords excellent panoramic views of the city.

  • Arthur's Seat peeking through walls of Edinburgh Castle

    Arthur's Seat peeking through walls of Edinburgh Castle

  • Outside the gates of Edinburgh Castle looking down the Royal Mile

    Outside the gates of Edinburgh Castle looking down the Royal Mile

  • St Giles' Cathedral
-also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh.  The church has been one of Edinburgh's religious focal points for approximately 900 years. The present church dates from the late 14th century, though it was extensively restored in the 19th century.

    St Giles' Cathedral -also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. The church has been one of Edinburgh's religious focal points for approximately 900 years. The present church dates from the late 14th century, though it was extensively restored in the 19th century.

  • St. Giles' Cathedral spire

    St. Giles' Cathedral spire

  • Victoria Street, Edinburgh

    Victoria Street, Edinburgh

  • The Grassmarket 
Originally designed to accommodate the horse and cattle markets held here weekly from 1477-1911.
It was also a setting for public executions, one notable hanging being that of Maggie Dickson who miraculously survived the noose in 1724.  Notice the pub named for her.

    The Grassmarket Originally designed to accommodate the horse and cattle markets held here weekly from 1477-1911. It was also a setting for public executions, one notable hanging being that of Maggie Dickson who miraculously survived the noose in 1724. Notice the pub named for her.

  • Canongate Tolbooth
Built in 1591 - it was here that the tolls or public dues were collected.

    Canongate Tolbooth Built in 1591 - it was here that the tolls or public dues were collected.

  • 17th century Canongate Kirk (Church)

    17th century Canongate Kirk (Church)

  • Facade of John Knox (Scottish religious reformer) House

    Facade of John Knox (Scottish religious reformer) House

  • Facade of John Knox House
-dates from the 15th century

    Facade of John Knox House -dates from the 15th century

  • The Salisbury Crags along the hike up Arthur's Seat

    The Salisbury Crags along the hike up Arthur's Seat

  • Enjoying the awesome view from the top of Arthur's Seat!

    Enjoying the awesome view from the top of Arthur's Seat!

  • Great view from the Salisbury Crags!
Edinburgh Castle (top center) and the spires along the Royal Mile.

    Great view from the Salisbury Crags! Edinburgh Castle (top center) and the spires along the Royal Mile.

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    The Salisbury Crags along the hike up Arthur's Seat
    Enjoying the awesome view from the top of Arthur's Seat!
    Great view from the Salisbury Crags!
Edinburgh Castle (top center) and the spires along the Royal Mile.