For breakfast, they were nice enough to get me some vegetarian sausages which made for this nice meal before we hit the road ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050497 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050498 and found ourselves in Stirling at the foot of the castle but with cannons nearby ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050499 and with a nice bagpipe store ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050500 as we saw our first castle-like walls ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050501 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050502 and this unusual sign that I am not able to interpret ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050503 before the castle itself came into view ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050504 along with the monument atop ruins of the Picts on a nearby hill ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050505 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050506 and this statue of a 14th century king ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050507 as we made our way ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050508 across the entryway over the moat ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050509 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050510 before we reached the guard house ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050511 and entered a garden outside a main building ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050512 with statues on the walls ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050513 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050514 and saw the cannons facing out for protection ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050515 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050516 before we visited another side of the royal palace with further structures on the walls ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050517 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050518 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050519 and looked at the architecture of small archways ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050520 before coming to the great hall which has been restored to its ancient (early 16 century) splendor ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050521 where we saw another small arch ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050522 before entering the great hall ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050523 and admiring the ceiling ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050524 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050525 as well as the other side of the building ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050526 as we strolled the grounds ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050527 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050528 and again admired structures on building walls ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050529 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050530 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050531 before entering the chapel. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050532 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050533 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050534 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050535 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050536 Our final stop was the Douglas gardens named for poor Douglas who met his sad end here ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050537 and here the architectural supports were even more noticeable ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050538 as we climbed the ramparts and enjoyed remarkable views of what was below. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050539 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050540 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050541 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050542 Next we decided to enter the royal palace ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050543 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050544 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050545 and began our tour in the King's outer hall ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050546 where the ceiling was impressive ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050547 as was this knight's outfit from the 15th century ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050548 and the king's seal ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050549 which led us to the inner hall ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050550 with this ceiling ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050551 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050552 and this seal ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050553 and led into the king's bed chambers ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050554 with the unicorn (purity) seal ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050555 remarkable ceiling ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050556 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050557 and actual bed. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050558 Opposite were the similar rooms for the queen beginning with her bed chamber ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050559 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050560 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050561 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050562 and proceeding to her inner hall ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050563 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050564 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050565 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050566 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050567 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050568 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050569 and outer hall. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050570 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050571 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050572 We also heard retold the story of the lions in the courtyard behind the palace ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050573 and then made our way to the great kitchens which have been reconstructed ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050574 complete with workers ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050575 and remarkable food ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050576 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050577 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050578 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050579 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050580 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050581 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050582 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050583 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050584 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050585 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050586 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050587 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050588 as animals are brought in to be cooked ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050589 and breads are made here ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050590 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050591 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050592 and meats sliced ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050593 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050594 to go with the other foods ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050595 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050596 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050597 even as the workers toiled ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050598 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050599 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050600 and more foods ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050601 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050602 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050603 were readied to add to the mix ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050604 including large meats ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050605 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050606 and breads ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050607 and fish ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050608 as the fire was stoked ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050609 and after the final food photos ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050610 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050611 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050612 I posed with some of the workers in the kitchen ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050613 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050614 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050615 before we left the premises ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050616 and got ice cream to fortify us for the journey back to the car. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050617 On our way down the hill, we stopped at Argyll's lodging, the time of a 17th century nobleman ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050618 where the food couldn't compare with that of the castle ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050619 though the people seemed quite happy ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050620 and the bed ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050621 and chamber pot were quite nice ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050622 as was the remarkable buffet built into one wall of the dining room. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050623 We drove on to Edinburgh for dinner with Mike Churgin where these were our drinks ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050624 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050625 our starter courses ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050626 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050627 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050628 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050629 and our main courses. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050630 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050631 On the way back to the hotel, I came across this statue that so excited me ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050632 I had to calm down to get the gull on his head ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050633 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050634 and then notice its impact ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050635 as we noted the Scott Monument ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050636 and another statue avec gull on head, which seems to be a tradition here ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050637 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050638 or so Adam Black ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050639 would have experienced it ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050640 which led him to have a similar sheen. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050641 We walked by the Pricnes Street Gardens where the roses were remarkable ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050642 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050643 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050644 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050645 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050646 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050647 and looked up to the castle ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050648 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050649 before encountering William Pitt (right after the gull had flown off his head) and so deciding to call it a night. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050650 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050651