Carlton Hill 2

More from the top of Carlton Hill today.  The views from the hill are spectacular in all directions.  There are many monuments and buildings around too.  From one of these - the Dugald Stewart Monument - the views across the city are particularly good.

Dugald Stewart was a Professor at the University of Edinburgh from 1786 to 1828.  The monument was commissioned by the Royal Society of Edinburgh and built in 1831, modeled on the 'Choragic Monument of Lysicrates', a Greek monument near the Acropolis in Athens.
Close by, another monumental building is set against the city backdrop.  This one is dedicated to Horatio, Lord Nelson.  It is built in the style of a telescope and replaced a signal mast which was used to send messages to ships in the Forth.  The commemorative plaque on the building reads...
"To the memory of Vice-Admiral Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, and of the great victory of Trafalgar, too dearly purchased with his blood, the grateful citizens of Edinburgh have erected this monument: not to express their unavailing sorrow for his death; nor yet to celebrate this matchless glories of his life; but, by his noble example, to teach their sons to emulate what they admire, and, like him, when duty requires it, to die for their country".

The largest group of buildings on Carlton Hill, make up the City Observatory.  Construction began in the late 18th century and it was handed over to the Edinburgh Astronomical Institution in 1812.  The main use of the observatory was for accurate time measurement through the observance of stars crossing the meridian.

More views from the hill are to enjoyed.  This one looking along the full length of Princes Street.  The scene is dominated by the clock tower of the Luxury, Rocco Forte collection's Balmoral Hotel.  NOT where we stayed.... far too 'down-market'....!!!!

Carlton Hill

Overlooking the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is the imposing sight of Carlton Hill.  The hill is easily identifiable with it's Neo-Classical architectural monuments adorning the top and around the sides.  Walking up to the summit, one of the first of these buildings to take the eye is the 'New Parliament Building'.

The name comes from the fact that it was proposed becoming the new Parliament in 1978.  Funding never became available for the conversion however and the Building was used instead for various, City Council departments.  It was originally built between 1826 and 1829 as the Royal High School.  It cost £34,000 and was built in the neo-classical, Greek Doric column style.

Carrying on around the hill, we came to another piece of Classical architecture.  Standing alone, it resembles an unfinished Athenian Acropolis and is known as the 'National Monument'.

Building started in 1822, a year after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, it was meant to be a replica of the Parthenon in Athens, as a memorial to those who had died in the Napoleonic Wars.  Money soon ran out and the building was never finished.  It became known as the Nation's Shame, but has since become one of the most visited attractions in the city.  Plans to finish the building have never had much support.  I think, the 'unfinished' nature of the monument gives it a certain drama which it may not have had if completed...  But what do I know?

Palace

At the end of the Royal Mile, lies the imposing edifice of The Palace of Holyroodhouse.  The official Scottish residence of the Queen, this baroque, stately pile sits, backed by Arthur's Seat.

Mary, Queen of Scots was married at the Palace to Henry, Lord Darnley on 29 July 1565.  This was also the site of the brutal murder of her secretary, David Rizzio.  Lord Darnley was instrumental in the murder as he was so jealous of Mary's friendship with Rizzio.

The Palace briefly served as the headquarters of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 uprising.  The State Apartments are still used to this day for official entertaining and state ceremonial occasions.

The ruins of Holyrood Abbey are to be seen adjacent to the palace.  The Abbey was founded in 1128 by King David I.  The completed building consisted of a six-bay aisled choir, three-bay transepts with a central tower above, and an eight-bay aisled nave with twin towers at its west front.  It was the site of many of Scotland's Parliament sittings between 1256 and 1410.  It was the site of the coronations of King James II (who was also born here) in 1437 and King Charles I in 1633.
This is a view of the Palace from the nearby Carlton Hill.  Stately indeed!

Short Break

Yesterday, Malcolm and I returned after a few days away in Edinburgh.  The weather was very kind to us - remarkable for this time of year.  We arrived early on Wednesday morning to cloudy skies, but it was quite warm, so we had most of the day to explore.  We started off from our Hotel, down the Royal Mile towards the Palace of Holyrood House.  First was the building of the Old Free Church of Scotland.

Built in 1850, it is no longer used as a church, being turned into a maintenance workshop for the Palace close by.  Attached to the Church building is the Abbey Courthouse, now used by the High Constables of Holyrood House.

The heraldic panel fixed to the wall is the cypher and arms of King James V. It was originally fixed above the entrance to the Gatehouse.  The outline of the Gothic Porch and Gatehouse, built in1502, are still visible. Both were demolished in 1753 by the Keeper of the Palace.
According to legend, the Abbey was built as the Monastery of the Holy Rood (or cross) by King David I.  The Sanctuary was a defined area, five miles in circumference, taking in most of Holyrood Park. Those in need of 'protection' (petty criminals mostly who could find themselves at risk of hanging for stealing), applied to the Baillie of the Abbey.  These 'tenants' were eventually accommodated in buildings erected around the Palace and Abbey, and thereafter called Abbey Lairds.

In 1880 a law was passed which meant that debtors could no longer be imprisoned. Sanctuary of this nature then became unnecessary.  The Sanctuary building is now used as a gift shop for the palace.

More to come...

Moon

The "close approach" of the Moon last Saturday was well documented.  The Moon is, on average about 239,000 miles away from us, but on Saturday, it reached what is called 'Apogee', or it's closest approach to Earth and came to within about 225,000 miles.  This, of course was supposed to make the Moon look bigger to observers on Earth.  In effect, the difference is so small, that you would have to be very lucky - or at least have a strong imagination - to notice the change at all.
I did, have a look as the Moon rose in the east, but as it shone through the Hawthorn tree at the front of our house, it didn't appear to be any different to me.  The slight mist on Saturday evening made photographing it rather tricky, but I did get a couple of 'atmospheric' shots (a euphemism for 'not very clear').

Hope this works, but here is an animation of the Moon as it waxes and wanes.  This also shows nicely, the 'wobble' as the Moon rotates.

Sloe

More pictures today, of the Blackthorn (or Sloe) trees in blossom.

These taken from around 'Swan Lake'....

Beautiful in the sunshine...

Reflections

It was a glorious morning, so we struck out for Straw's Bridge with the sun shining on us and the birds singing.  As usual for a Saturday, the cyclists were a bit of a nuisance as they inconsiderately raced past hogging the whole path and furiously ringing their bells at us to get out of their way - but that's enough bile from me for now.  The scene around the lakes was a lot more peaceful.  The white of the swans was reflected beautifully in the water.

Chiff-Chaffs, Chaffinches and Song Thrushes were as we walked around the lakes, ut the Swans were more interested in seeing if we had any bread.