Part 7: Cities (continued)

Edinburgh is a weird combination of great open space with stunning views and narrow Gothic streets. Whatever you do during your visit, be sure to climb the 251-m high Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano overlooking the city.

Edinburgh Castle from Arthur's Seat.

Streets of Edinburgh.

A street known as the Royal Mile runs along a ridgecrest from Arthur's Seat to the castle, transsecting the city's oldest and the most scenic part.

Streets of Edinburgh.

Streets of Edinburgh.

Door, Edinburgh.

At first glance, Edinburgh seems a bit gloomy, especially in rainy weather. But it is a lively city, even a bit too touristic for my taste... at least in summer.

Door, Edinburgh.

Highland Tolbooth Kirk, c. 1840, Edinburgh.

Downhill street, Edinburgh.

Scott Monument, c. 1840-1846, Edinburgh.

Statue of poet Robert Fergusson, c. 2004, Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is not particularly easy to navigate. Remember that wynd means "small street", and close means "entrance"; both signs often lead to nice narrow passages.

Roof, Edinburgh.

Views from Edinburgh Castle.

Rosslyn Chapel, c. 1446, Roslin, Scotland.

A few miles south from Edinburgh is the tiny Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by claims that the Holy Grail (whatever it is) is buried under its floor.

Rosslyn Chapel.

Outside details, Rosslyn Chapel.

Rosslyn Chapel, c. 1446, Roslin, Scotland.

Grail or no Grail, this little ornate gem is unlike any building in the world. It is, in a way, a museum of Medieval symbolism, nowadays protected from the elements by a steel awning.

Rosslyn Chapel.

Rosslyn Chapel.

Knights Templar, Rosslyn Chapel.

There are dozens of stone carvings in Rosslyn Chapel, many with Masonic and Templar symbols. Stone carving, Rosslyn Chapel. There are also numerous pagan symbols, and some images not yet deciphered.

Moses, Rosslyn Chapel.

Some people claim that there are pre-Colombian depictions of corn, cacti, and other North American plants among the chapel carvings.

Stone carving, Rosslyn Chapel.

Supposedly the plants were brought from America by traveling Knights Templar. I've spent some time looking at those images, and I'm not convinced.

Detail, Rosslyn Chapel.

The scaffolding around the chapel now provides access to the upper walls and the roof. Signs point to the most interesting carvings. Hundreds of tourists visit the chapel daily, walking from symbol to symbol. Details are fascinating, but don't forget to stop for a minute and just look around. It's a very beautiful place.

Detail, Rosslyn Chapel.

Streets of Culross, Scotland.

Streets of Culross.

Of many small Scottish towns we've visited, we liked the tiny Culross the most.

Streets of Culross.

Anstruther, Scotland.

Caernarfon, Wales.

Small coastal towns of Scotland, Wales and Cornwall have their own charm.

Anstruther, Scotland.

St. Ives, Cornwall.

Caernarfon, Wales.

Some of them are now tourist traps rather than fishing ports, and get a bit crowded in summer. Well, you can still find solitude elsewhere in Britain.

Anstruther, Scotland. The island of Bass Rock in the background.

View from Edinburgh Castle.

Part 8: Forests

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