Scotland - Have Fun Storming the Castle

 June 22, 2024

Peasants view of Edinburgh Castle.
Sits high above the city on a dark basalt precipice.

Kaileen, our daughter-in-law, who was at the center of organizing this wonderful holiday trip, texted us before we left; tickets for the Edinburgh Castle are selling out fast. Should I book us for 5 tickets, 10:00 AM, June 22?

I replied, "Do it. Quick! Let's storm the castle together."

Problem: Our daughter, Inga, was not due to fly in from Portland until 10 that morning. 

Sue (Certified Presbyterian Educator)
makes her way past the home of
Reformer John Knox along the Royal Mile.

Well, the Sunesons will have to storm the castle with less than full muster; four out five will take the castle and hope for reinforcements from Oregon once we breach the portcullis. 

More and more steps to climb

Kaileen's e-tickets are in order, the sentries scan her QR code and we pass through the bailey.

We are through the gate and inside the walls of Edinburgh Castle. Well done Kaileen!

Edinburgh is viewed from above with a royal eye cast across the Firth of Forth.

A text from Inga: Reinforcements are on their way. Inga has landed after a trans-Atlantic crossing and is coming up to join us at the castle.

While we wait for Inga's arrival, we decide to do so in a civilized manner; tea time in the castle. 

Inga arrives with arms up-stretched in victory.

All of the Suneson family is united in Edinburgh, Scotland. Some from Texas, some from New York, New York, some from Oregon and maybe someone from Washington in the Pacific Northwest. What a place to reunite for a family holiday.

We check the castle's defenses, including Mons Meg, a 20-inch siege piece given to James II of Scotland as a gift in 1454, firing 350 pound balls of stone and terrifying those facing its muzzle into the 16th century. 

The Honors of Scotland (Crown Jewels) are housed in Edinburgh Castle, so we had to cue up to see them (no photos aloud). 

I think I discover a secret passage to the Crown Jewels, I knock, but nobody answers.

The castle is Headquarters to several active duty military units of His Majesty, and their glory and history is on display within some of the buildings on the grounds of the castle. 

At the heart of this very ancient and historic site is the rediscovered chapel of St. Margaret, build around 1170 by King David I of Scotland to honor his saintly mother.

It was a great morning at the castle, what with all the kids joining us for our Suneson Scotland Holiday. 

But even us castle dwellers get hungry, especially Inga after a night of travel. It is decided that we will descend from on high and join the locals below for a pint and some haggis - perhaps.

The day is young.