Wok N Roll with us...Bob and Teri Along with Atlas and Kalani: Edinburgh, Scotland August 3-4, 2019

Edinburgh is the Capital city of Scotland. The Edinburgh Castle is built on top of an extinct volcano at the highest spot in the city. Its location made it one of the best-defended fortresses in Scottish history. Castle Rock has been the site of human activity for some 3,000 years. Artifacts have been uncovered at this location dating back to 850 BC. and, St. Margaret's Chapel that is located at the Castle is the oldest surviving building in Scotland. After Queen Margaret died in 1093, her son David I later built the chapel (1130-1140) in her memory. The first King of Scotland known to have made his residence at Castle Rock is Malcome III Canmore (1031-1093). Between 1296 and 1331, the castle was captured twice by the English and also retaken by the Scots. The Great Hall, which we walked through on our tour, was completed in 1511 by James IV. The last Monarch to have stayed in the Castle is Charles I in 1633. Just outside the Castle drawbridge is a large open area where we were later treated in the evening to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tatoo.

The first Edinburgh Royal Military Tatto has held in 1950. The Tattoo includes music and performance from some of the world's most talented military and folkloric performers. Performers are from all over the world including much of Europe, China, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Caribbean. This year marked their 69th show and like the International Tatto that we attended in Nova Scotia, it made for a wonderful evening.

I have provided links to a few short videos below that were taken at the Tattoo.

Tattoo 1

Tattoo 2

Tattoo 3

Tattoo 4

We were also in Edinburgh during the yearly Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Fringe got its beginnings clear back in 1947. Today it has grown to be the largest arts festival in the world. The Fringe is open to any performer that can afford the journey. We had a fun time walking around and watching the various performers. Some were pretty good while some well, it was their life's dream I guess. There are shows everywhere in the city, some in theaters, some in cars and many out in the open along the streets. There are over 30,000 performers and it was fun to walk around and happen upon the various surprises.

As part of our tour, we also did a dinner show that included bagpipes The Pipes, comedy, Scottish dancers and the Celebration of the Haggis. We all got to taste Haggis and I actually liked it, enough to order it for lunch the following day. For the weak stomach folks, I will not explain what Haggis is made from rather you can choose if you want to watch the video. HaggisMaking
Celebration of the Haggis