Haggis Hell NO!  Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland http://www.visitscotland.com/en-ca/destinations-maps/edinburgh-lothians/

Places You Have to See

Edinburgh Castle is the beginning of the Royal Mile.

Gretna Green is a town famous for elopements.

Palace of Holyroodhouse the Queen’s official residence in Scotland at the other end of the Royal Mile.

The Royal Mile shopping and dining.

Rosslyn Chapel http://www.rosslynchapel.org.uk/ The Earl and Countess of Rosslyn and the established Rosslyn Chapel Trust look after the beautiful ornate private chapel that still holds private service on Sundays.  It is elegantly carved including the Apprentice Pillar which was finished by the apprentice who was murdered upon the master stonemasons return from Rome.  The Apprentice’s head is also craved in the Chapel.  It is eerie and sends chills down your spine perhaps because it is also legend that The Holy Grail is located there.  Maybe due to the movie, “The Da Vinci Code” http://www.danbrown.com/the-davinci-code/  but the fact that something is in the cellar underground and the owners refuse to reveal it adds to the mystery.

Greyfriar’s Bobby a monument to a Skye terrier who stayed at his owner’s grave for years only leaving for a daily meal until his own death.

The Scottish Parliament the new building was opened in 2004.  It is located near The Royal Mile and borders Holyrood Park.  It isn’t the most attractive piece of architecture and my tour guide compared it to strewn matchsticks.

Things You Need to Know

Scottish Pounds are used as currency.  Same exchange as British Pounds and if using British Pounds change received in Scottish Pounds.

English speaking but very heavy accents.  People use “aye” here like Canadians use “eh”.

Drive on left.

Hogmanay is Scottish New Year’s Eve and it’s a huge party where you buy a bottle and share with others.

It’s a great place to stay in a castle that’s converted into a hotel.

Buy your sweaters and kilts here.

Fire cannon at 1pm instead of noon in Edinburgh because they’re frugal not cheap.

Most pubs the toilets are in the basement so don’t get too drunk before using them it could lead to falls.

Don’s ask why the sheep have all sorts of bright ink all over them.  Just don’t.

Haggis and neeps/mash is a tradition.  It’s a sheep’s stomach filled with ground sheep organs and oatmeal—like meatloaf served with mashed turnip and potatoes.  All I can say if thank God for Scottish Whisky.  Bagpipes traditionally pipe the haggis in its not bad if it’s a good piper if it’s a bad piper alcohol makes it better.

They say that freezing to death is the most peaceful way to die.  You slowly start to drift off to sleep.  Well in Scotland I visited Rosslyn Chapel the famous secretive privately owned chapel alleged to hold the Holy Grail as eluded to in “The Da Vinci Code” http://www.danbrown.com/the-davinci-code/ .  Well it is beautiful, incredible detail, mysterious carvings and probably the single most creepy ass (as in hairs on the back of my neck standing up) place in the world I’ve ever been to.  We sat there in pews and it was colder inside than out and you could actually feel it getting colder.  I couldn’t concentrate on what the guide was saying.  I couldn’t keep my eyes open.  I seriously thought I’d freeze to death right there—serves you right non-believer.  Snap out of it.  I haven’t been creeped out enough yet.  Let’s go down the teeny tiny stairs into the crypts.  Why?  Do we have to?  Low ceilings even for me and I have this claustrophobic thought they’ll lock us in.  What else is buried down there?  Holy Grail?  Aliens?  Who cares!  Time to get out and go back to the land of the living or at least the gift shop and get a post card.  I feel so much better outside sun shining.  The cemetery outside almost seems cheerful compared to where we’ve been.  All kidding aside it’s not far from Edinburgh and you really should go there.  I however would rather sleep up against the door in my room.  Another time another story.