So Luxurious
“And yet the place establishes an interest in people’s hearts; go where they will, they find no city of the same distinction.”
Knowing the England vs. United States Fifa World Cup game was tonight (Nov 25), we booked a dinner reservation at The Conan Doyle pub. We then spent the late morning and afternoon hours exploring a number of museums.
One of the more difficult aspects of navigating the streets of Edinburgh is not being habitually distracted by the architecture. Following their defeat by the English at the Battle of Flodden in September 1513, the Scottish fortified Edinburgh by walling off the city (thus the name Flodden Wall). In very practical terms, Edinburgh only had one choice: build up. Build up they did, but look at how beautifully!
“Piled deep and massy, close and high; Mine own romantic town.”
—Sir Walter Scott, Marmion
We thought perhaps such protrusions were possibly former garderobes with a decorative base added to cover their former purpose, but given their age, they are likely decorative.
Holy crap! Here are 5 genuine garderobes on Edinburgh Castle. Gotta love the 3-staller!
So, where were we? Ah yes, museums. So, there we were walking down the Royal Mile on our way to visit the Museum of Edinburgh, when we were distracted once again, this time by this rather cool looking close. We randomly decided to explore and it turned out the first set of stairs in the background were highly significant for fans of Outlander.
Starz turned Claire and Jamie into household names, but Gabaldon’s first book by the same name was published way back in 1991. It was around that time that Amanda first read about Jamie (greatly lowering my and most men’s manliness quotient). It would be years before she got me to read the books, but anyone who has read the first two books will know that few scenes can compete with Claire and Jamie’s reunion in Dragon Fly in Amber. Starz did an amazing job on relating this to the screen, which is precisely where we found ourselves today!
In the TV series, Claire is seen walking through the Bakehouse Close walkway (the fictional Carfax Close). The doorway and steps are easily recognizable.
The steps to A. Malcom’s print shop need a little Hollywood magic, but the final effect is seen below.
Jamie approaching from opposite direction with the wood and stone section visible. It was a fun find! I guess the only thing to do it reenact the scene! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7yXNRhhCZg
(You hear that crap? She will always love Jamie!)
All hot and bothered thinking about Jamie, we stopped for a nice cuppa so Amanda could stay calm and carry on.
We then took a tour of Gladstone’s Land, which is the building in the center. In the 1600s, the double archways denoted a trade market. Gladestone’s archways are the only ones remaining in Old Town Edinburgh.
Inside the house we were able to tour three different floors of the building, each set up to represent a different historical period. Not only did Edinburgh build up (as we mentioned previously, but they also built out. The current face of Gladstone’s Land and the adjacent buildings are 23 feet forward of the original building fronts. When space is highly limited, you have to add where you can.
Look, it’s ma in her kerchief. The tour was really fun and we learned a lot about Edinburgh’s past.
We rounded out the night by watching the England vs. United States Fifa World Cup game at The Conan Doyle pub just up the street from our house.
There’s Sherlock Holmes now!
And Dr. Watson I presume.
It was an exhilarating game with a 0-0 Final Score.
On our way to visit the Saturday farmer’s market we stopped by the building used as the hotel for Lars and Sigrit’s stay in Edinburgh during the Eurovision Song Contest.
Of course, we have we had to reenact the scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDvhvbuxm8s
Here’s a clip of the original scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lulgI1k_JK0
A few parting shots: Purple cabbage at the Edinburgh Farmer’s Market held every Saturday on Castle Terrace.
This statue stands in tribute to Sir James Young Simpson, the discoverer of the anesthetic qualities of chloroform and his promotion of its use in obstetrics. Is it just me or is there some serious irony laying in wait there?!
Edinburgh Castle as seen from The Parish Church of St Cuthbert.
The Parish Church of St Cuthbert
