June 22, 2016 - Edinburgh Castle and the Weaving Mill

Castle Rock Hostel has a pretty good breakfast policy – one each bun, coffee, cereal – great granola – and the usual assortment of jams etc – all for £1.50. The bathrooms were pretty good – hot water in the showers and clean.

Edinburgh Castle:

I should have listened to M and gone up to the castle early but I didn't. M went to Lindisfarne for most of the day and said I would see her sometime before dinner. There was a cruise ship in town so a number of their people were at the castle as well as several school groups.

I can't imagine how anyone would think that climbing the walls with soldiers above your head would be a good idea.

The guide was telling a tale about how the clock in the town was considered would ring at noon each day and was considered to be the definitive time and the castle would daily announce the time by firing a cannon at 1pm - the Scots are thrifty so why fire 12 cannons when you can wait an hour and only fire one! 

I saw a cemetery for soldiers’ dog which brought a tear to my eye. There was a delightful little chapel which makes perfect sense after all.

Edinburgh Weaving Mill

Stood and watched the loom for quite a while. Then I wandered over to the warping area and watched the man who had to rethread a few threads which had broken. I found the Galbraith tartan but decided to not buy anything yet - I have a whole country to explore and I don't want to carry anything for longer than necessary. I later learned that the mill in the store primarily makes blankets, not scarves or other smaller items. I really want a cape but again, don't want to carry it around the country. Maybe I will have to weave one for myself.

I am loving the selections of doors and door hardware so I keep taking photos of them.