June 21, a field of reindeer while on the road from Honningsvåg to North Cape.

Scotland and Norway, 2025

June 15th - Edinburgh, Scotland

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Click here to see a bunch of pictures I took as we drove through Edinburgh.

We got off the bus and began our walk to the base of the mountainnoteIt may as well have been a mountain for me! which we'd have to climb to get up to the hilltop castle. Besides the supposedly steep climb, the bus drop-off point was recently moved quite a distance away from the actual entrance road.

As we headed past the castle looming high above us, I still couldn't make up my mind if I wanted to try to climb up there or not. The entrance road kept going up and up, and I knew at some point, there were a lot of stairs and more road to trod. As I listened to our guide briefing us about the road ahead, I gave it more thought.

And when we got to the stairs, I felt like maybe the worst part was over; there didn't seem to be that many. Despite my huffing and puffing and my stinging legs, I continued on slowly, determined to make it to the top and the castle. Steve, and Teresa didn't seem to be having any difficulty; Mei-O stuck by me for encouragement and support (mental and physical!) when I needed it.

And then, just 20 minutes after leaving the parked bus, we were at the top! Well, at least to the esplanadenoteThe castle is reached across the esplanade – a wide area of smooth tarmac, with an uphill gradient of 5 degrees. It's 110m (about 361') long. at the castle's base level. As I viewed the castle in the distance, I could see there'd be more climbing. But now, certainly, there was no turning back.

As we walked towards the castle entrance, we passed a lot of construction in progress. What was going on? 8,500 seats are installed along the esplanade every year in June, turning it into a venue for concerts in July and the Royal Military TattooTattoo website during August. (When it's over, they tear it all down to eliminate the eyesore that it is until the next year.)

All this time, our tour guide has been leading us up the hill and to the castle. We had to wait a while (a good chance for me to rest!) while he got each of us our tickets to get into the castle. Once we all had them in hand, we continued following him...

... into the castlenoteNemo me impune lacessit, Latin for "No one provokes me with impunity" is the national motto of Scotland. It more or less translates as "No one can harm me without (detrimental) con- sequence" or "Whatever harm comes to me shall be returned".. Click here to see a bunch of pictures I took as we walked around the castle grounds. Next     Top