Last day of our holidays! And this Scottish summer day is cloudy and a bit cooler. Back to wearing jeans and a jumper.

Despite being in Scotland and England for a month, I would never have known the Commonwealth Games were on in Glasgow until the last day or so. We haven’t been anywhere near a TV or newspaper. In the last couple of days a couple of Scottish people, once they know we are Australians try to give us an update on where Australia is on the medal board. But I still don’t know. 

The other thing I’ve noticed is that most Scots, when they know we’re Australians tell us about their relatives or friends who have migrated to Australia. Sometimes I’m surprised there’s any people left in Scotland!

John, our wonderful host in Edinburgh went to the Commonwealth Games last evening after work. He told us this morning that it far surpassed his expectations. He said it was wonderful. The blue ribbon event was the 100 metres grand final sprint at the end of the evening. He said that there was a competitive spirit there, but there was also such fun and warmth. Integrating the para-sports with the able-bodied sports, he thought, was a good part of contributing to the fun atmosphere. He loved it.

So, for out last day today, Philip and I drove about 20 minutes south of Edinburgh to Roslin Glen. Steep wooded hills with the River Esk running through it. It’s more of a brook than a river. But it once powered Gunpowder Mills here for the gunpowder used in mining and in wars from the Napoleonic wars to World War 2. 

There were meandering paths all through this woodland and forest, and I tried to follow the map to find the remnants of the Gunpowder Mills. But they proved too elusive. Or I did my map-reading my usual way. And ended up in a completely different place to where I thought I would or should be!

But the walk was absolutely magnificent. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been in. The pictures don’t even begin to show the grandeur and the magic of it.

Last day of our holidays! And this Scottish summer day is cloudy and a bit cooler. Back to wearing jeans and a jumper.

Despite being in Scotland and England for a month, I would never have known the Commonwealth Games were on in Glasgow until the last day or so. We haven’t been anywhere near a TV or newspaper. In the last couple of days a couple of Scottish people, once they know we are Australians try to give us an update on where Australia is on the medal board. But I still don’t know. 

The other thing I’ve noticed is that most Scots, when they know we’re Australians tell us about their relatives or friends who have migrated to Australia. Sometimes I’m surprised there’s any people left in Scotland!

John, our wonderful host in Edinburgh went to the Commonwealth Games last evening after work. He told us this morning that it far surpassed his expectations. He said it was wonderful. The blue ribbon event was the 100 metres grand final sprint at the end of the evening. He said that there was a competitive spirit there, but there was also such fun and warmth. Integrating the para-sports with the able-bodied sports, he thought, was a good part of contributing to the fun atmosphere. He loved it.

So, for out last day today, Philip and I drove about 20 minutes south of Edinburgh to Roslin Glen. Steep wooded hills with the River Esk running through it. It’s more of a brook than a river. But it once powered Gunpowder Mills here for the gunpowder used in mining and in wars from the Napoleonic wars to World War 2. 

There were meandering paths all through this woodland and forest, and I tried to follow the map to find the remnants of the Gunpowder Mills. But they proved too elusive. Or I did my map-reading my usual way And ended up in a completely different place to where I thought I would or should be!

But the walk was absolutely magnificent. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been in. The pictures don’t even begin to show the grandeur and the magic of it.

 

Deeply wooded with dark green tall spreading trees. High dramatic towering cliffs covered in trees, shrubs, ferns and moss falling down to the stream. 

There have been fierce battles in this Glen in the past, including the Scottish wars of Independence against the English with characters like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

The Earls of Rosslin had a huge castle here but there’s not much left of it now.

The most renowned part of this park is the Rosslyn Chapel. Originally started in the 1440s by a wealthy man wanting insurance for his permanent place in heaven with God. Not only was it well built, it is beautifully and intricately carved inside and out. But it was never finished. He died before it was finished. Later, after the Reformation it fell into disrepair. And only restored and repaired properly in the last few years.

But when I first walked into the Chapel, which is still a regular place of Christian worship, I was taken aback by the sheer throng of visitors all gawking around it. It’s not a big building and it was packed with people wandering around, pointing and looking. It’s the first time I’ve been in a church where it felt just like a tourist place, and nothing like a worship place.

Rosslyn Chapel is a major plot point of the blockbuster Da Vinci Code. I haven’t read the book or seen the movie. It seems like it was a double-edged sword. After its success, numbers to the Chapel have increased six-fold! So it gives them more money for its restoration. But the throng of people does also bring a tourist tackiness to it too.

 

But it was fun walking around and searching out the special carvings done back in the 1440s. Of Bible characters and Christian stories and virtues. They’ve found the stonemasons made their special marks next to the carvings they’d done. They were proud of their work, and also to ensure that they got paid. They were very gifted.

But for me it was easier to experience God down in the green cathedral of the Glen outside! I found some ripe wild raspberries too. Such a find! I’ve now eaten wild blueberries, wild blackberries and wild raspberries on my treks around the U.K.

And now it’s time to head for home tomorrow. I think it’s a sign of a great holiday when you’ve had a fantastic time on your break, but at the end of it, you’re ready for home. That’s me. I’ve had the most wonderful holiday. But I’m looking forward to home now. Just the 24 hour flight to do first!