Edinburgh Expanse
Edinburgh Expanse

This expansive view of the city encompasses much of the central city. The entrance to Edinburgh Castle is on the far left, Scott Monument and Festival Wheel are in the center, and St Andrew’s House (Scottish government building) is at the base of Calton Hill on the right. Vantage Point: Holyrood Park. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Castle View #1
Castle View #1

This vantage point from Holyrood Park includes Edinburgh Castle in the background (left to and above center) and to its right the spire from the old Highland St. John’s Tolbooth Church, both of which are located on the Royal Mile. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle

The castle compound is located on, appropriately, Castle Rock, which has been inhabited by humans since the Iron Age. Vantage Point: Scott Monument. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Castle View #2
Castle View #2

The view of the castle compound shows the Royal Scotts Dragoons building on the left, Dury’s Battery in the center right, and a bit of the Military Prison on the far right. The vantage point is from the street below. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Castle View #3
Castle View #3

The curved structure is the Forward and Half Moon Battery with the Royal Palace to the left. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Castle at Night #2
Castle at Night #2

This is a night view similar to the previous image of the Forward and Half Moon Battery on the right and the Royal Palace above and to the left. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Edinburgh Castle Grounds #1
Edinburgh Castle Grounds #1

The view from the castle grounds provides commanding views of the city. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Edinburgh Castle Grounds #2
Edinburgh Castle Grounds #2

The castle is comprised of multiple buildings on several elevations reached by stairways. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Castle Grounds #3
Castle Grounds #3

Passageway, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Stained Glass Window: St Columbia
Stained Glass Window: St Columbia

A 6th century Irish Abbot and missionary, Columba came with a group of his followers to the Scottish island of Iona. Artist: Douglas Strachan (1875-1950). St. Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Stained Glass Window: Queen Margaret
Stained Glass Window: Queen Margaret

Artist: Douglas Strachan (1875-1950). St. Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Central Edinburgh
Central Edinburgh

Landmarks shown include the Scottish National Gallery (bottom), Festival Wheel and Scott Monument (center left), Edinburgh Waverly Station (right), Balmoral Hotel (above and to the left of the station), and Calton Hill (upper right). Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Scott Monument and Festival Wheel
Scott Monument and Festival Wheel

The Scott Monument (right) is a Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. The tower is 200 feet high and has viewing platforms reached by a series of spiral staircases. Looking from the street, there doesn’t seem to be enough room for stairs inside the columns, and indeed, the stairwells are very tight and narrow allowing passage by one person up or down at a time. The monument is near Edinburgh Waverly Railway Station, which is named after Scott's Waverley novels. Festival Wheel is not, fortunately (personal bias), a permanent installation and is primarily an attraction for the Edinburgh Christmas and Winter Festival. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Calton Hill and Balmoral Hotel
Calton Hill and Balmoral Hotel

Several buildings and monuments are located on top of Calton Hill (background), including the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, the old Royal High School, the Robert Burns Monument, the Political Martyrs’ Monument, and the City Observatory. Calton Hill also offers expansive views of the city and surrounding area. The Balmoral Hotel (right) was the first 5 star rated hotel in Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Scott Monument
Scott Monument

The Scott Monument is built from the dramatically striking Binny sandstone quarried near Ecclesmachan in West Lothian. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

View #1 from Scott Monument
View #1 from Scott Monument

The seasonal Festival Wheel and ice rink. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

View #2 from Scott Monument
View #2 from Scott Monument

This view includes Calton Hill (far background) and The Balmoral Hotel (top center). Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

View #3 from Scott Monument
View #3 from Scott Monument

Busy holiday shopping on December 21, 2013. Edinburgh, Scotland.

Edinburgh Rooflines
Edinburgh Rooflines

One of the distinctive features of the old buildings in Edinburgh are the rows of orange chimneys best seen here along the top of the image, but visible throughout. Vantage Point: Scott Monument. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Holyrood Park #1
Holyrood Park #1

View of Holyrood Park (top left) and the eastern edge of the center of the city. Vantage Point: Scott Monument. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Holyrood Park #2
Holyrood Park #2

Holyrood Park is a 650-acre public park in central Edinburgh about 1 mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle that provides a wild piece of highland landscape unlike any other city I’ve visited. The park was created in 1541 and is associated with the Palace of Holyroodhouse and was formerly a royal hunting estate. Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano, is at the center of the park. The hike is moderately challenging . Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.  

View #1 from Holyrood Park
View #1 from Holyrood Park

Holyrood Palace is center right with Calton Hill in the background. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

View #2 from Holyrood Park
View #2 from Holyrood Park

The steeple of old Highland St. John’s Tolbooth Church is to the far left, The Scott Monument and Festival Wheel are center, Scottish Parliament is center, with views of Calton Hill and The Balmoral Hotel in the background right and center. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

St. Giles's Cathedral Interior
St. Giles's Cathedral Interior

The existing building was begun in the 14th century and extended until the early 16th century with significant alterations made in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the addition of the Thistle Chapel. The cathedral is about .2 of a mile from Edinburgh Castle along the Royal Mile. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Thistle Chapel #1
Thistle Chapel #1

Knight ‘stalls’ form the sides of the chapel with the Soverign’s centered on the end. Above each are tall, crocketed spires, surmounted by the coronet and Helmand crest unique to each Knight. Whenever a Knight dies and another Knight is appointed in his/her place, the deceased Knight’s crest is replaced with that of their successor. The chapel was completed in 1910. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Thistle Chapel #2
Thistle Chapel #2

Tops of the stalls for eight Knights. St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Thistle Chapel #3
Thistle Chapel #3

St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Thistle Chapel #4
Thistle Chapel #4

Ceiling detail. St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Thistle Chapel #5
Thistle Chapel #5

Detail of the intricate carving on the ceiling. St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Knight Crest #1
Knight Crest #1

Sculpted crest of one of the Knights. St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Knight Crest #2
Knight Crest #2

Sculpted crest (detail) of one of the Knights. St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Scottish Parliament #1
Scottish Parliament #1

Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Scottish Parliament #2
Scottish Parliament #2

Building exterior. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Palace of Holyroodhouse
Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace (1679) is the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland and is located at the bottom of the Royal Mile at the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle. The 19th century fountain features intricate carvings of historical figures, soldiers, musicians, and heraldic emblems. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Dynamic Earth
Dynamic Earth

Science center with Holyrood Park in the background. The principal focus of Dynamic Earth is to facilitate a better public understanding of the processes that have shaped the Earth including the Big Bang, abiogenesis, plate tectonics, and glaciation. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

The Balmoral Hotel Tower and Clock
The Balmoral Hotel Tower and Clock

The clock tower of the Balmoral is a handy reference point for orienting oneself in Edinburgh (I’m sure it’s a great place to stay, too). Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

View of Market Street
View of Market Street

Market street runs parallel to the Royal Mile further up the hill. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Royal Mile #2
Royal Mile #2

Facade of Giles’ Cathedral. The old town centered around the Royal Mile features numerous medieval passageways. Advocates Close, shown here, winds its way up to the Royal Mile from Cockburn’s Street. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Old Tolbooth Wynd
Old Tolbooth Wynd

Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Royal Mile Passage
Royal Mile Passage

Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Tolbooth Tavern Clock
Tolbooth Tavern Clock

Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Edinburgh Expanse
Castle View #1
Edinburgh Castle
Castle View #2
Castle View #3
Castle at Night #2
Edinburgh Castle Grounds #1
Edinburgh Castle Grounds #2
Castle Grounds #3
Stained Glass Window: St Columbia
Stained Glass Window: Queen Margaret
Central Edinburgh
Scott Monument and Festival Wheel
Calton Hill and Balmoral Hotel
Scott Monument
View #1 from Scott Monument
View #2 from Scott Monument
View #3 from Scott Monument
Edinburgh Rooflines
Holyrood Park #1
Holyrood Park #2
View #1 from Holyrood Park
View #2 from Holyrood Park
St. Giles's Cathedral Interior
Thistle Chapel #1
Thistle Chapel #2
Thistle Chapel #3
Thistle Chapel #4
Thistle Chapel #5
Knight Crest #1
Knight Crest #2
Scottish Parliament #1
Scottish Parliament #2
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Dynamic Earth
The Balmoral Hotel Tower and Clock
View of Market Street
Royal Mile #2
Old Tolbooth Wynd
Royal Mile Passage
Tolbooth Tavern Clock
Edinburgh Expanse

This expansive view of the city encompasses much of the central city. The entrance to Edinburgh Castle is on the far left, Scott Monument and Festival Wheel are in the center, and St Andrew’s House (Scottish government building) is at the base of Calton Hill on the right. Vantage Point: Holyrood Park. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Castle View #1

This vantage point from Holyrood Park includes Edinburgh Castle in the background (left to and above center) and to its right the spire from the old Highland St. John’s Tolbooth Church, both of which are located on the Royal Mile. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Edinburgh Castle

The castle compound is located on, appropriately, Castle Rock, which has been inhabited by humans since the Iron Age. Vantage Point: Scott Monument. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Castle View #2

The view of the castle compound shows the Royal Scotts Dragoons building on the left, Dury’s Battery in the center right, and a bit of the Military Prison on the far right. The vantage point is from the street below. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Castle View #3

The curved structure is the Forward and Half Moon Battery with the Royal Palace to the left. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Castle at Night #2

This is a night view similar to the previous image of the Forward and Half Moon Battery on the right and the Royal Palace above and to the left. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Edinburgh Castle Grounds #1

The view from the castle grounds provides commanding views of the city. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Edinburgh Castle Grounds #2

The castle is comprised of multiple buildings on several elevations reached by stairways. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Castle Grounds #3

Passageway, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Stained Glass Window: St Columbia

A 6th century Irish Abbot and missionary, Columba came with a group of his followers to the Scottish island of Iona. Artist: Douglas Strachan (1875-1950). St. Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Stained Glass Window: Queen Margaret

Artist: Douglas Strachan (1875-1950). St. Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Central Edinburgh

Landmarks shown include the Scottish National Gallery (bottom), Festival Wheel and Scott Monument (center left), Edinburgh Waverly Station (right), Balmoral Hotel (above and to the left of the station), and Calton Hill (upper right). Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Scott Monument and Festival Wheel

The Scott Monument (right) is a Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. The tower is 200 feet high and has viewing platforms reached by a series of spiral staircases. Looking from the street, there doesn’t seem to be enough room for stairs inside the columns, and indeed, the stairwells are very tight and narrow allowing passage by one person up or down at a time. The monument is near Edinburgh Waverly Railway Station, which is named after Scott's Waverley novels. Festival Wheel is not, fortunately (personal bias), a permanent installation and is primarily an attraction for the Edinburgh Christmas and Winter Festival. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Calton Hill and Balmoral Hotel

Several buildings and monuments are located on top of Calton Hill (background), including the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, the old Royal High School, the Robert Burns Monument, the Political Martyrs’ Monument, and the City Observatory. Calton Hill also offers expansive views of the city and surrounding area. The Balmoral Hotel (right) was the first 5 star rated hotel in Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Scott Monument

The Scott Monument is built from the dramatically striking Binny sandstone quarried near Ecclesmachan in West Lothian. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

View #1 from Scott Monument

The seasonal Festival Wheel and ice rink. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

View #2 from Scott Monument

This view includes Calton Hill (far background) and The Balmoral Hotel (top center). Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

View #3 from Scott Monument

Busy holiday shopping on December 21, 2013. Edinburgh, Scotland.

Edinburgh Rooflines

One of the distinctive features of the old buildings in Edinburgh are the rows of orange chimneys best seen here along the top of the image, but visible throughout. Vantage Point: Scott Monument. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Holyrood Park #1

View of Holyrood Park (top left) and the eastern edge of the center of the city. Vantage Point: Scott Monument. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Holyrood Park #2

Holyrood Park is a 650-acre public park in central Edinburgh about 1 mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle that provides a wild piece of highland landscape unlike any other city I’ve visited. The park was created in 1541 and is associated with the Palace of Holyroodhouse and was formerly a royal hunting estate. Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano, is at the center of the park. The hike is moderately challenging . Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.  

View #1 from Holyrood Park

Holyrood Palace is center right with Calton Hill in the background. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

View #2 from Holyrood Park

The steeple of old Highland St. John’s Tolbooth Church is to the far left, The Scott Monument and Festival Wheel are center, Scottish Parliament is center, with views of Calton Hill and The Balmoral Hotel in the background right and center. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

St. Giles's Cathedral Interior

The existing building was begun in the 14th century and extended until the early 16th century with significant alterations made in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the addition of the Thistle Chapel. The cathedral is about .2 of a mile from Edinburgh Castle along the Royal Mile. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Thistle Chapel #1

Knight ‘stalls’ form the sides of the chapel with the Soverign’s centered on the end. Above each are tall, crocketed spires, surmounted by the coronet and Helmand crest unique to each Knight. Whenever a Knight dies and another Knight is appointed in his/her place, the deceased Knight’s crest is replaced with that of their successor. The chapel was completed in 1910. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Thistle Chapel #2

Tops of the stalls for eight Knights. St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Thistle Chapel #3

St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Thistle Chapel #4

Ceiling detail. St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Thistle Chapel #5

Detail of the intricate carving on the ceiling. St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Knight Crest #1

Sculpted crest of one of the Knights. St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Knight Crest #2

Sculpted crest (detail) of one of the Knights. St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Scottish Parliament #1

Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Scottish Parliament #2

Building exterior. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace (1679) is the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland and is located at the bottom of the Royal Mile at the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle. The 19th century fountain features intricate carvings of historical figures, soldiers, musicians, and heraldic emblems. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2023.

Dynamic Earth

Science center with Holyrood Park in the background. The principal focus of Dynamic Earth is to facilitate a better public understanding of the processes that have shaped the Earth including the Big Bang, abiogenesis, plate tectonics, and glaciation. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

The Balmoral Hotel Tower and Clock

The clock tower of the Balmoral is a handy reference point for orienting oneself in Edinburgh (I’m sure it’s a great place to stay, too). Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

View of Market Street

Market street runs parallel to the Royal Mile further up the hill. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Royal Mile #2

Facade of Giles’ Cathedral. The old town centered around the Royal Mile features numerous medieval passageways. Advocates Close, shown here, winds its way up to the Royal Mile from Cockburn’s Street. Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Old Tolbooth Wynd

Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Royal Mile Passage

Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

Tolbooth Tavern Clock

Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2013.

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