Castle Hunting

Fall 2012 - Doune & Kilchurn Castles 

Doune Castle

Kilchurn Castle

Obviously the weather changed a bit in between these two locations. When the parents and I were in Scotland before classes started, we decided to go on a "Western Highlands" tour. It was absolutely beautiful for the first few hours, then it poured, then it got a little better but by then we were all soaked. My mother and I bought new socks halfway through. Though it was a bit horrendous at the time, I have to say I a little bit love the blurry rain photos that came out of it.

So Doune castle is, unsurprisingly, right outside the village of Doune, and though you can't see it, is just by the edge of the River Teith. Both Monty Python and Game of Thrones have filmed here - Monty Python used it for every castle in the Holy Grail, and Game of Thrones used it for the pilot, but still cool. We didn't get a chance to go inside, but I guess that leaves me more to do as the year goes on! 

Kilchurn Castle. Well, first off it's on the edge of Loch Awe, i.e. essentially in the Loch if it rains too much. Something about being on the ruins of a castle in the stormy weather was actually quite beautiful. It just may have actually been worth getting soaked. 

Arthur's Seat

Fall 2012 - Edinburgh, Holyrood Park 

Arthur's Seat is actually a pretty amazing thing. It's a gigantic hill in a park in the middle of one of the largest cities in Scotland. It was probably also inhabited in the Iron Age. And when you go the long way around (first past the Sailsbury Craigs, then up the Edinburgh side of Arthur's Seat,) it can be quite the trek. And windy. But I think these photos prove it's worth the walk. 

The Castle

Fall 2012 - Edinburgh Castle

The photo at the top is one of the only good photos of the castle without a bunch of people in it. People are distracting. For instance, there is this other photo I like, but there's a couple kissing in it. So distracting!

The second photo is from St. Margaret's Chapel, which was built around the 12th century, and is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh. The stained glass image, then is of St. Margaret, looking very Saintly with the light from behind. 

The Unicorn & The Lion

Fall 2012 - Edinburgh Castle

The Scottish Unicorn and the English Lion flanking the doorway of the Scottish National War Memorial. 

The Castle - Memorial

Fall 2012 - Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh. When I was here last, I didn't make it up to the Castle, so when my parents were here, we most certainly went. All of these photos are of the Scottish National War Memorial, which was opened in 1927. 

Naarden's Great Church

Summer 2012 - Naarden

Once again the Grote Kerk. Apparently, it's one of the older churches in The Netherlands, having been built in the 15th century, and not having been destroyed by the 16th century Spanish invasion. You can hardly tell from theses photos, but the ceiling is beautifully painted with scenes from the Bible.

When we visited, there was an exhibition of a photography contest in the church. Though the photos were really interesting, many of them were quite violent. This combination of something so very modern and dissonant to the atmosphere of the church is something I notice the Dutch do a lot - and I actually quite love it. They are reverent towards their past, but willing to integrate the past into the modern world.

I Spire

Summer 2012 - Naarden

The Grote Kerk (Great Church) in Naarden has some great spires on it's steeples. My favourite is the two headed eagle, which is on the town's flag.