Stone Age Stonehenge

Today, we're going to leave Scotland and visit England for a while.  The first stop in our tour is the iconic Stonehenge.

Even from a distance, this Stone Age monument is an impressive sight.  Standing over 15 ft. high Stonehenge dominates the almost flat landscape.  However, due to preservation attempts visitors are no longer allowed to wander amongst the stones.  This can detract from the impressive feeling when standing on the fence’s edge.  Despite this Stonehenge is well worth seeing and I highly recommend it.

Just a note for visitors: 

Here on the Salisbury plain it’s nearly always windy and sometimes rainy to boot.  Make sure to bring a good coat just in case.

Please do not use any of these pictures without permission.

Edinburgh Castle

My first thought upon seeing Edinburgh Castle for the first time was “Wow, that’s big.”  The second was, “Boy, there’s a lot of people.”  Yes, visiting the castle in the middle of the day can be a bit crazy. 

The imposing fortress of Edinburgh Castle teems with life and history.  It has been a royal castle and military garrison for centuries.  This is clear everywhere you look.  Edinburgh Castle is a museum.

That’s not to say the castle is not worth seeing.  There’s plenty to catch the interest of the history buff, including the legendary and controversial Stone of Destiny, and the wall walk offers some impressive views of Edinburgh city.

The Entrance to Edinburgh Castle.  Guarding the gateway are the statues of William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce.

The Great Hall houses an artistic array of medieval weaponry and armor.










From the walls: The new city...

 ...And the old.

The old city from the battery in the wall.

Edinburgh Castle in not on my list of top places to visit, but it is worth the visit if you have the time.

Please do not use any of these pictures without permission.

It's Summer!!!

Due to Summer vacations and other personal events, I will not be posting as frequently for the next two months.  Hopefully, I will be able to resume weekly posts in September.

Have a great summer!!

Battlefields of Scotland

We fight not for glory, nor for wealth, nor honor

but only and alone we fight for freedom

which no good man surrenders but with his life.

For centuries the fields of Scotland have been scene for hundreds of battles and wars, but in 1314 AD the most important battle for Scottish independence was fought on the fields of Bannockburn.  On June 23rd King Robert the Bruce of Scotland led his army of Scottish patriots to face the significantly larger forces of King Edward II of England and on June 24th soundly defeated him.

Today, that battlefield is still simply a field, but it is well worth visiting.  Overlooking the battlefield is a statue of Robert the Bruce and if you look into the distance (usually to the right) you can see Stirling Castle, which was under siege by the Scots when the English arrived.  Inside the Heritage Center you can get a glimpse of the major events that led up to and followed the Battle of Bannockburn.

Stirling Castle from the Battlefield

Over 400 years and a hundred and forty miles to the north lies another important battlefield, Culloden.  Here the Scots and English faced off again.  The Scots were rebelling against the German Hanoverian dynasty that was ruling England and Scotland at the time and were trying to restore the former Stewart dynasty.  However, the Scots under Bonnie Prince Charlie were soundly defeated and the Scottish way of life changed forever, though some freedom was returned in the late 1990s.

A visitor center now sits on the edge of the battlefield and offers a interesting and sometimes graphic glimpse of what happened that day.  Outside the battlefield has been kept close to look like it did on the day of the tragic defeat.  One major difference is that the battlefield is now dotted with shrubs and heather instead of being a grazing ground, but the treacherous  moor land can still be seen in various spots if you know what to look for.

Scotland is full of stories of victory and defeat.  It is a country that is constantly struggling to be its own “person.”  Perhaps one day it will, but until that day the memories of the brave men and their families who suffered and died will long be remember.  Take time to visit these places, learn about their history, and pay honor a brave people’s fight for freedom.

 

The Battlefield...at least part of it

 

Mass Clan Graves, several of dozens

Thatched house built on the site of a former house 

used during the battle by the Government forces

Please do not use any of these pictures without permission.