Hi, Everyone, How is everything today?
I am a little behind with my posts and want to share some details of a trip through parts of Scotland that I took in October. My friend, Lee, from Concord, Massachusetts, who came for her first visit to Scotland. We wanted to show her some of our favorite places.
With us, all trips start in Edinburgh. There is plenty to see and do here.
First, the castle. It sits on an imposing cliff overlooking the entire city.
For a short history of the One O’clock gun, use this link: https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/edinburgh-castle-a-short-history-of-the-one-o-clock-gun-1-4012846
Some interesting notes from the dark past of this city: The 19th century medical schools had difficulty getting corpses for their anatomy classes. There were strict rules about which dead bodies they could use, and there were never enough. So, some enterprising individuals set out to “gather” for the doctors-to-be. Not always in the most legal way. Some robbed graves and some just killed people and sold those bodies.
Legend has it that Deacon Brodie, an interesting character of the times, was one of these “gatherers”. But I cannot find any written evidence of that.
A respectable cabinetmaker by trade, he could not support his elaborate lifestyle with just that. He kept up two mistresses, sired at least 5 illegitimate children, and had a gambling problem. Most of his crimes were theft, making copies of the house keys given to him by wealth customers. He was the inspiration for R.L. Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
There is an important and famous pub on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. It’s worth a visit, although always crowded. Reservations are recommended for meals unless you like waiting an hour or two.
Deacon Brodie’s Tavern
There are many places to stay in Edinburgh. This trip we chose the Dene Guest House. It is a short bus ride to Princes Street from there. It met the 3 important criteria: Clean, Comfortable and Convenient. Read my review on TripAdvisor. There are no lifts (elevators) and the ceilings are high: 25 steps from ground to 1st and from 1st to 2nd. You can get help with the bags, but you climb on your own. Breakfast is wonderful and has enough variety to please anyone.
We also did a Tour of the Dead. This tour ventures into the most haunted section of Edinburgh’s legendary Underground City, where a population once lived in utter misery. These dark tunnels and are stalked by a malevolent presence known as the South Bridge Entity.
Over the last several years, one small tomb in Edinburgh’s Greyfriar’s Cemetery has become famous as the lair of a malevolent paranormal entity. The tomb is known as the ‘Black Mausoleum’ and is located behind the high walls and locked gates of an area known as the Covenanter’s Prison.
The entity has been named ‘The Mackenzie Poltergeist’ . Lots of spooky fun.
Sign of the day, from Edinburgh Castle.
Sounds like good advice.