Scotland Vacation: Themeless Thursday

No selfie of the day on facebook yet. Tonight we're doing a literary pub crawl. Maybe will get a pick then.

So we went to the Scottish National Museum specifically to see the Arthurs Seat Coffins. If you've read Iain Rankins' murder mystery (I'm 2/3rds done) The Falls, you have read about these mysterious coffins that were found in the 1800s on Arthurs Seat -- a large hill looming over the city. The coffins are quite small - maybe 4" long and less than an inch wide, with a tiny carved figure inside each one. Easy to see how Rankin would be inspired to base a murder mystery around the history of these coffins.

The national museum building is quite a specimen in itself. Worth the admission of nothing for a quick peek. This pic is a central atrium of the old part of the museum, off of which are numerous interesting galleries. Attached to the old is a new wing that resembles a castle. Navigating between existing and new was a little tricky, but with the help of museum staff we made it!

Have I mentioned how hilly Edinburgh is? On the map it looks flat. This particular stairway is very tame compared to others we navigated. Cathy commented how impossible it must be for disabled to get around, given the hills, cobbled streets and narrow walks.

A big vote is coming up in a week or two. I'm don't know the details, but the gist of the vote is for greater or maybe even complete independence from England. Our Lochs and Castles tour guide was very animated and patriotic and in support of the measure. That is the extent of our pre vote polling.

This cutie is Bobby. He was partnered with a policeman who died of TB. Bobby kept a vigial over his partners grave, and upon his death was as well buried in the Greyfriars Kirkyard, a hundred yards from this statue. More on the Kirkyard below.

Is this walking tour guide a young Rick Steves? We think so. The tour was Harry Potter themed. The next three pictures were taken in the Greyfriars Kirkyard where some of JK Rowlings inspirations can be found. We were pointed out a few graves with names than appear in the books, including Tom Riddle. The orphanage just outside the gates was a model for Hogwards. From the outside it didn't look the same as the movie version, but Rick Steves Jr assured us the inside is very similar.

Our potions master turning a base metal into gold.

A rather simple stone in the kirkyard. I have numerous other kirkyard pics on my big camera, as the light was so nice. For the purposes of the blog this is what you get. Plain and unadorned.