Sunday 4 January 2015

A cold day in January.....


During the cold grey days of winter this small group of daffodils, always the first to bloom in a warm and sheltered corner of the garden, add a much welcomed splash of sunshine
and remind me that spring will soon come again.
So instead of gloomy Normandy today let's go back for another visit to Edinburgh and take a stroll around the historic Palace of Holyrood, HRH Queen Elizabeth's Royal Residence there.


The Palace of Holyrood is steeped in history, from the moment you go through the huge wooden doors you can feel the ghosts of Scottish Kings and Queens surround you.
Click here to meet them all...................................

The ruined cloisters of Holyrood Abbey
An Augustinian monastery was first settled on the site in 1128 by King David 1. Other buildings, including these now ruined cloisters, were added over the next century and a royal residence was also maintained here.


Perhaps the most famous (infamous?) resident of all was Mary, Queen of Scots who left the French court to come and live here in 1561.


As we toured the Royal Apartments I could hardly believe at one point that I was actually standing in the very room where Mary's jealous second husband Lord Darnley and his friends brutally murdered her secretary, David Rizzio.


Sadly, photography inside Holyrood House is not permitted so I urge you to visit it for yourself if you ever have the opportunity.


The inner court yard.


After touring the Palace and gardens we sat for a while listening to a lone piper playing the bagpipes somewhere in the distance beneath Arthur's Seat, a perfect way to end our tour.


Our visit to Edinburgh coincided with the 2014 Ryder Cup Golf Tournament which was being promoted all over the City.


We stayed at the Glasshouse, one of Marriott's Autograph Collection of boutique hotels, there were quite a few golfing enthusiasts staying there too.


We were lucky enough to be upgraded to the Macallan Suite and really enjoyed the access to the rooftop garden which this gave us.


A beautiful tranquil oasis  in the middle of Scotland's Capital City.


I wonder have you ever been to Edinburgh?
What was your favourite thing to do there?

Linking to Sunlit Sunday with Karen @ My Little Home and Garden
and
Mosaic Monday with Judith @ Lavender Cottage.

21 comments:

  1. Maggie,
    This is just beautiful. Ohhhhh the history and I bet you could feel the centuries of all the wonderful people that lived there. Thank you for taking us with you. Wonderful post.
    Kris

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  2. How wonderful! Amazing historical site. And the rooftop garden at the hotel is lovely. Best wishes, Tammy

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  3. Our son is a bagpiper. I love hearing him play!
    Gorgeous photos today! Have a lovely week, friend!

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  4. Such a fabulous group..loved it all.

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  5. What a wonderful photo tour of a place I long to visit. Thank you!

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  6. No I haven't been to Scotland but your photo tour makes it enticing!

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  7. I really enjoyed the tour! I'd like to see it in person some day! Happy New Year!

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  8. Welcome to ☀Sunlit Sunday, Maggie. Before I mention the Scotland photos, let me say what a treat it is to see daffodils blooming in January. Mine are safely hidden beneath the soil and won't appear for some months yet.

    I was in Edinburgh just once, a few decades ago, and found it beautiful, even on a rainy and cold day. The woman who ran the place where I stayed described it as "three overcoat weather". I'd like to return and do some more exploring, as you've piqued my interest with your photos.

    Karen

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  9. The architectural structures are absolutely outstanding and fascinating to view. I love the Eagle carrying in the trophy and all is quite lovely~

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  10. Lovely images and memories of your visit to Scotland.. They make me wish I could visit there too.. Happy New Year to you and yours! Enjoy your new week ahead!

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  11. Unbelievable history in that old palace. Thanks so much for sharing with us.

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  12. The palace and its architecture are stunning. When I was in Ireland last summer, it was thrilling to see buildings older than Canada.
    Thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday Maggie.

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  13. Holyrood Castle is full of interesting history. I've never been to the UK, but hope to get there one day. I love history and the idea of walking in the same place as the characters I've read about in history books.
    Love the bit of golden sunshine in your daffodils - a welcome sight at this time of year.

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  14. Enjoyed your post. We've been to Edinburgh several times, and last time walked up Salisbury Craggs behind Holyrood. Though I must admit that I like the islands of Scotland best!

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  15. I love castles! The photos are awesome.

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  16. No, I've never been to Edinburgh, but you've just whet my appetite for a visit.

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  17. What a wonderful trip and all that history! Seventh heaven! Lovely shots.

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  18. Beautiful. I have been to England and also to Ireland but I haven't had the chance to visit Scotland yet.

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  19. Maggie, my experience with Scotland is largely through the Isobel Dalhousie series by Alexander McCall Smith and Jackson Brodie mysteries by Kate Atkinson. It's quite wonderful to see this magnificent palace and learn more of its history!

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  20. I have not visited this lovely area yet, but want to and you have shown me a spectacular spot to visit...lovely shots.

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  21. What a wonderful tour. Yes, we have been to Edinburgh in 1992 with our 2 children and our friends and their 2. We toured England and Scotland by car and loved it all. Some day I'd like to go back as my grandmother was born in Dalbeattie. Edinburgh is beautiful but, sadly, we only spent part of a day there and missed so many historic buildings to tour. I think your photo of the daffodils is lovely to see as we're in a blast of Arctic air here in Canada this week and won't be seeing daffodils in bloom for months. Pamela

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Thanks for stopping by, your visit just made my day!