Day 9: Holyrood Palace, Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, World's End Pub, & 10 million steps

Today was absolutely mind blowing. To follow the footsteps of and walk in the same buildings and rooms of historical figures that I’ve read about my whole life was just surreal. I started learning about Mary, Queen of Scots in elementary school when I did a history report on her and I’ve been enamored ever since.

I started at Holyrood Palace which is at the bottom end of the uphill Royal Mile in Edinburgh, which is THE un-flattest city EVER, btw. This is where the current Royal Family visits and holds many important functions every year. It’s hundreds of years old and has been the residence of many royals and dignitaries over those years, including my Mary. In fact, I visited her bed chamber and ante chamber on the second floor of the left hand turret. This is where, while pregnant with his son, Queen Mary's second husband, her cousin Lord Darnley had her closest friend and confidante, David Rizzio, murdered right before her eyes in a surprise attack. They entered through a back stairway and I walked up those steps!!! Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed inside Holyrood Palace, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.

The other rooms such as dining halls, reception areas, the King's chambers, and art gallery were awe inspiring as well. SO MUCH HISTORY, it’s mind boggling.

Bonnie Prince Charlie of the Jacobite cause even stayed there for 6 weeks in 1745, while trying raise troops for his war against the English government, which led to the Culloden Battle in 1746. (Previous post) They showcase some of his belongings, where he slept, and the Call to Arms/War letter he wrote to the Scottish people.

The weather in Scotland is absolute insanity and I love it! It literally changes every five freaking minutes. There were blue skies, partly cloudy, and it was pretty sunny with just a slight chill so I left my big jacket, umbrella, hat, & gloves with my luggage that was being stored for the day near the train station. Suddenly, the wind picks up, it’s biting cold, starts to rain, then HAIL and the suns still out. I run into a store on the Royal Mile and buy a wool scarf, decide against buying another jacket or sweatshirt (Thank God), walk outside, and it’s no longer raining or hailing, sky is clear and it’s almost warm. It proceeds to go back and forth like this for quite awhile. I walk about halfway up the Royal Mile and decide that’s it, I’m done cuz now I’m sweating and out of breath cuz it’s uphill. (Edinburgh Castle is at the top of the Royal Mile, high on a hill.) I hop on a bus and the driver says he can’t go all the way to the top but he’ll get me closer and save me about 15 minutes. My tour of the Castle was starting soon so I figure it’s a good plan all the way around. Wrong again!!!! He takes me to an adjacent street where there are about 4 flights of stairs (just one of the flights is pictured below) to get to the Castle atop the hill. BAMBOOZLED! I am Miss HuffinPuffinStuff but I make it to the entrance only to realize that meeting point for the tour is about 1/4 of the way back DOWN the Royal Mile. Lord Baby Jaysus have mercy on my soul… and my feet, knees, and back. Stupid details. Totally my bad, though.

Anyway, make it by the skin of my teeth to the start of the tour and proceed back UP to the castle. Really well worth it though, until the ibuprofen wears off.

No really, Edinburgh Castle is amazing. Lots of pictures below. Saw the teeny tiny space where Queen Mary gave birth to her son, the future King of England, James VI. Mary never got to be Queen of England, but her bloodline did. So there, Queen Elizabeth I, you ginger childless whore. Ahem, sorry, I digress.🤪 Learned a ton about other royalties role in Edinburgh Castle but as you can tell, Queen Mary is my girl.

Caught a taxi (yep, no regrets) to the World’s End Pub at the bottom of the Royal Mile for Pea & Mint Soup and an Irish Mule with a splash of OJ, my new favorite drink.

Picked up my luggage, got to the Train Station and headed south to Oxenholme in the Lake District of England! Fare thee well Scotland, I will SO be back.

On the train, I met 2 slightly older married gentleman who became my new BFFs! They drew me maps of London, told me where to (and where not to) go and we exchanged favorite British and American TV shows and movies. It was so lovely, I almost had a tear in my eye when they hugged me goodbye at my stop in Oxenholme.

BUT, here I am finally in the Lake District of England… a total dream come true! My room is adorable. I had a long bath and a cuppa… and tomorrow I tour about 10 lakes (meres) and quaint villages and I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED!

Enjoy the pics and the history, I most certainly did. 🥰