This evening, I am posting a video and comment on one of the most famous cannons in Scotland, 'Mons Meg'. This 6 ton monster, which dates dates from 1457, is located at Edinburgh Castle and proves very popular with the tourists as a backdrop for photo shoots.

The names 'Mons' reflects its origins at Mons in Belgium whilst 'Meg' is an abbreviation for Margaret.

The cannon was given to King James II (of Scotland) as a gift but its weight militated against practical use in mobile warfare and the artillery piece was retired in 1650.

One of the many interesting sites at Edinburgh Castle.

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Catswhiskers @ 1:23 PM  0 comments

Today, I am posting a video clip of Edinburgh, was taken from the vantage point of Edinburgh Castle and shows: The New Town (18th century) Firth of Forth ( Bay where River Forth enters the North Sea), Calton Hill ("Athens of the North"). It was a nice day and the weather was good.

For the video clip click here.

Labels: Scotland.

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:30 PM  0 comments

Labels: Roman Scotland

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:37 PM  0 comments

Today, I am posting a video clip of Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland. This a very well preserved 13th century castle associated with the Comyn family who at one time controlled vast tracts of Scotland. This castle ranks as one of Scotland's earliest stone castle and is designed, is in the form of a square courtyard with round towers at the corners.
Well worth a visit.

Labels: castles

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:48 PM  0 comments

This evening, I am posting information on a type of settlement known as a broch which dates from about year zero AD.This type of building is unique to Scotland and mainly comprises dry-stone built towers 10 metres (33ft) or more high and up to 25 metres (82 ft) in diameter. The walls are thick at the bottom tapering inwards towards the top and are usually built with a double skin to allow stairways between the two walls. This feature may be an early form of insulation.

It is likely that brochs had several internal floor levels built with wood and were roofed over.

These were high status buildings with many examples found near the coast, possibly because at that time rivers and the sea were the chief means of communication (boat).

The example in the video is located on the Isle of Skye. Some of the most elaborate examples of brochs can be found on the Orkney and Shetland islands.

Labels: brochs

posted by Catswhiskers @ 1:54 PM  0 comments

Today, I am posting a video and images taken during a tour/visit to this historic castle which has played a pivotal role in Scotland's history.

The castle is located on a conveniently situated volcanic plug which affords a superb defensive position for guarding access to the Central Highlands of Scotland.

First records of a castle on the site date from the 12th century. During subsequent centuries the castle suffered sixteen major sieges and oscillated between Scottish and English control.

Two major battles occurred in the vicinity of Stirling Castle:

1. The Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 when William Wallace ( aka 'Braveheart') defeated a superior English force.
2. Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 when a force under Robert the Bruce defeated a superior English force under Edward II.

The Castle's golden age occurred during the 16th century when it became a royal palace of the Stewart age and benefited from lavish spending by King James IV and V but was little used by royalty after the Union of the Crowns in 1603.

View of castle entrance from bowling green.


Royal Palace which is currently undergoing an extensive, long-term refurbishment programme.
Close up of statute of King James on the Royal Palace.

Chapel Royal built for the baptism of Prince Henry Stewart in 1594. This building contains a collection of stunning tapestries.

The Great Hall built 1500. External covering in a gold coloured protective coat to give an impression of great wealth.

Close up of statues on the Royal Palace of King James V. (1540)

Labels: Stirling Castle

posted by Catswhiskers @ 3:47 AM  0 comments

Today, we visited Stirling Castle, St. Andrews and the Fife Coast. St. Andrews has much to offer the visitor including:

• the famous Old Course (golf):
• Castle; and
  
• ruined Cathedral and associated buildings.

The video below shows the interior of the ruined cathedral which was Scotland's largest and most magnificent church.

There is a museum which houses a collection of medieval sculptures and other relics found on the site.

The tall tower is called St. Rule's. This was part of an earlier cathedral building, which is accessible and affords superb views from the top of the tower.

Labels: st andrews

posted by Catswhiskers @ 1:23 PM  0 comments