Scotland
Facts (Scotland)
MY Favourite Places to Visit
October 2014
Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position on the Castle Rock.
Few of the present buildings pre-date the Lang Siege of the 16th century, when the medieval defences were largely destroyed by artillery bombardment. The most notable exceptions are St Margaret's Chapel from the early 12th century, which is regarded as the oldest building in Edinburgh, the Royal Palace and the early-16th-century Great Hall, although the interiors have been much altered from the mid-Victorian period onwards. The castle also houses the Scottish regalia, known as the Honours of Scotland and is the site of the Scottish National War Memorial and the National War Museum of Scotland. The British Army is still responsible for some parts of the castle, although its presence is now largely ceremonial and administrative. Some of the castle buildings house regimental museumswhich contribute to its presentation as a tourist attraction.
The castle marked a very important history point for Edinburgh, Scotland. The castle generates this magnificant feeling when one walks into it, and rooms and halls within the palace has been mantained from the olden days with memorable pictures and historical stories. This is not to mention the beautiful scenery taken from the top of the castle. Unfortunately, due to the weather of Scotland being always rainy, some of the rooms and halls in the castle is a little bit smelly, but being one of the most memorable historical site and castle for the British history, definitely worthwhile paying a visit.
Floral Clock
October 2014
The Floral Clock situates in the West Princes Street Garden. The clock is not only an immaculately tended floral display in the shape of a clock, it also tells the correct time. Commissioned in 1903, it was the first of its kind in the world.
With tens of thousands of small, colourful plants, the clock takes two gardeners five weeks to plant, and is trimmed, weeded and watered by one gardener for the rest of the season.
The clock flowers from July until October.
Plants vary each year but some of the more commonly used varieties include Lobelia, Pyrethrum, Golden Moss and succulents such as Echeveria and Sedum.
Scotch Whisky Experience
October 2014
354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile
Edinburgh EH1 2NE
When you visit Scotland, you should not leave the country without having a whisky experience.
Based at the top of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, the whisky "experience" is a one-hour journey through the amber nectar's history, including a whisky barrel ride to the illicit stills of the Highlands and the royal drawing rooms of London, and an introduction to the art of nosing the usige beatha (as whisky is known in gaelic - it means "water of life"). The tour includes a free dram or soft drink.
The Scotch Whisky Experience also houses the Amber Restaurant offering Scottish cuisine. In the whisky bar, which sits alongside the restaurant, over 300 bottles of malts are on display.