Scotland4me.net Out and About

	Scotland4me.net	'Out and About'
'Edinburgh - The Royal Mile'
	Edinburgh Castle - Which was established in or around 1130 by David I, was built on the top of rock. The Castle includes a chapel dedicated to his mother Queen Margaret and in 1457 the giant cannon 'Mons Meg' which is presently used to alert people to the time of 1pm (the one o'clock gun) arrived in the castle after being gifted to James II. In 1566 Mary Queen of Scots gave birth in the castle to her only child, the future King James VI of Scotland and I of England. The Castle stands at the top of what is commonly known as 'The Royal Mile' which stretches down hill to Holyrood Palace, the two structures are exactly one mile apart. During the Edinburgh Festival the esplanade of the castle is transformed into a stage where the Military Tattoo takes place. Military personnel from far and wide descend on Edinburgh to appear in this spectacular which is normally a sell out months before the event. Approximately 1.25 million people visit the Castle during a twelve month period.
	St Giles Catherdral which you can find on your way down hill from the Castle to Holyrood Palace, was for more than a century embroiled in disagreements about church government. In 1633, King Charles I appointed Scottish Episcopal bishops in Scotland and in 1635 William Forbes became the first bishop of the new diocese of Edinburgh with St Giles’ as its cathedral. In 1911 the Thistle Chapel whose architect was Sir Robert Lorimer, was completed to be used by the Knights of the Thistle which is Scotland's order of chivalry. Though small it is in 15th century high Gothic style and full of elaborate carvings in wood and stone and of colourful heraldry. During the last hundred years or so St Giles' has hosted important events including state occasions and services of national thanksgiving. During the Edinburgh Festival period you can find jugglers, actors, musicians and other entertainers wooing the public in the area surrounding the Cathedral.
	The Tron Kirk of Edinburgh can be found on The Royal Mile half way between The Castle and Holyrood Palace. It was "dedicated to Christ" by the citizens of Edinburgh in 1641 and known as "Christ's Kirk at the Tron". It was the South East parish and was one of the four early parishes of Edinburgh subsequent to the Scottish Reformation of 1560. Prior to the church being built parishioners of the South East parish worshipped in St. Giles' Cathedral. There were special grants of pews made by the Edinburgh Town Council to noblemen, Senators of the College of Justice, citizens of Edinburgh Old Town, Principals and Professors of the University. The Tron's position as the traditional focus for Edinburgh's annual Hogmanay celebrations has been reduced in recent years due to the expansion of the celebrations throughout the city centre. The area around the Tron Church is used during the Edinburgh Festival by participants advertising their shows and acting abilities.
	As we move further down The Royal Mile on our way to Holyrood we come across John Knox House. Knox travelled widely in Europe before returning to lead the Scottish Reformation. Tradition says that Knox lived in the house in the Netherbow during the months between his return to Edinburgh in August and his death in November 1572. Although being aged almost sixty and very ill, Knox continued to preach at St Giles. Due to his ill health he was required to stay nearby the church, which can still be seen clearly from this house. His death on 24 November 1572 was mourned by many as a national tragedy. At his funeral the Protestant Regent, the Earl of Morton paid tribute to Knox's life "There lies he who never feared the face of man". Many cafes and bars in the neighbouring buildings spill onto the pavements of the High Street 'bistro style', near the House during the festival.
	The Scottish Parliament Building which can be found opposite Holyrood Palace at the foot of the Royal Mile, has caused a huge amount of controversial issues for example the choice of site, timing, architect (non-scottish) and escalating costs (from an unrealistic benchmark). The design of the Scottish Parliament Building was often criticised by the public and in the Press. Sir David Steel, a previous Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament claimed "This building is the most important to be built in Scotland for 300 years". The chosen Architect Enric Miralles died in 2000 (aged 45) a few months after construction on the Scottish Parliament Building commenced. Donald Dewar also died in 2000 he was Secretary of State for Scotland and then became the first, First Minister in the Scottish Parliament. It was Donald Dewar who was responsible for the selection of the Holyrood site and also Enric Miralles as principal architect for the project. The completed building is visited by many members of the public, some come to see what the fuss was about and others to stare in disbelief at the look of it.
	Holyrood Palace which is situated at the foot of the Royal Mile was once a fifteenth century guesthouse. Many of Scotland's medieval Kings stayed here before the palace’s construction and by the late 15th century Holyrood was a royal residence in all but name. James II born at Holyrood in 1430, was crowned, married and laid to rest there. Between 1498 and 1501, James IV constructed a new building with Holyrood becoming a palace in the true sense of the word. The palace was constructed around a quadrangle situated west of the abbey cloister. It also contained a chapel, gallery, royal apartments and a great hall. with the chapel occupying the present north range of the Great Quadrangle with the Queen’s apartments occupying part of the south range. A third range to the west contained the King’s lodgings and the entrance to the palace. He was also involved with the construction of a two storey gate house, fragments of which survive in the Abbey Courthouse. James V added to the palace between 1528 and 1536 beginning with the present north-west tower. This tower houses the famous suite of rooms once occupied by Mary, Queen of Scots.
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