Best of Scotland 2016
a dolly on tour
The main attraction on our last day of the tour was Stirling Castle. It's time for a little history lesson!
This is Robert the Bruce. He is often associated with William Wallace (you probably know him from Braveheart, though personally I’ve never seen the movie) as uniting the clans of Scotland and forging Scottish National Identity. Both Robert the Bruce and William Wallace fought battles nearby, so they get statues outside the castle.
But as Rick Steves decribes, the castle’s “glory days” were when it was the primary residence of the Stuart monarchs (Mary Queen of Scots and the rest). James V (Mary’s dad) designed the palace. It has elaborate stone carvings on the exterior; this one is of James V himself.
As this was our last tour stop, we took a group photo! I am pleased to introduce Steve, Mary, Mark, Gary, Frank, Jo, Brian, Janet, Carrie, Kim, Trish, Jennifer, Tara, Barbara, Lynn, our driver John, our guide Brian, Dayne, Linda, Marjorie!, me!, Mary, Donna, and Al. Far to the right is Al’s hat, that blew over the edge. Not pictured are Megan and Kathleen, who volunteered to take the photos.
I can't believe we have to say goodbye soon!