Linlithgow

Today I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Linlithgow Palace. I even brought my own picnic lunch to enjoy the "Peel" - or royal grounds surrounding the palace.

The palace was built and used in the 1400-1600's by kings all with the name James... Seriously. Anyway, it is now a ruin - but it is a "complete" ruin (minus the roof and some floors...) - it wasn't destroyed by people after they stopped using it, I guess?



Also - I know everyone has told me this and I've experienced it before - but though it hasn't rained yet, the air is wet... I think that's the best way to describe it.

Oh and the vote was today but we won't have the results till the morning.

Now for some pictures! I already put these on Facebook, so the commentary is over there... I know I should probably write it again... we'll see.

This is where the first main entrance was. There would have been a drawbridge down to where I was standing

The loch was beautiful - surrounded by fog, green hills, and trees.

Look! A picture of me. Real life. Awkward... But let's not get distracted. I found this fun little tunnel and was brave and walked down it even though there were spiderwebs everywhere... which I hate. BUT also survived. So. There you go.

In a spiral staircase - I loved to peek through all the different views.

Woah. Another one of me. I think this was when I was remembering that people were shorter because the doorways weren't too much taller than I was - but I had a hard time capturing that... so I changed my perspective, smiled, and took the picture. 

Clearly, they knew I was coming and carved my initials into the wall. :) Haha - usually it was for the king / queen... like right now, everything says ER for Elizabeth Regina (Queen) - so this was probably the same kind of thing... but for someone else. Moving on.

Look out below. Lots of birds and mess. Haha. They were everywhere. I don't know that you can tell though, from this picture. 

Climbed to the top of the tower! It was so beautiful up there.

Next week I am going to the Isle of Skye and I am so excited! PS I've learned since being here that the tartan patterns associated with the different clans isn't that old - fairly recent because of tourists... And by fairly recent, I mean the Victorian period... which is when all things Scottish were the trend. Also kilts aren't that old either... Basically I'm relearning all my notions about Scotland. Favorite so far: William Wallace: Robin Hood? Not sure but it makes for a good story. The Scottish are great.

 The swans came right up to me. I am quite fond of this one, and gave it the most bread (not that I had that much... and they wouldn't eat the crust of the bread either which made me laugh). After the first piece of bread was thrown, I suddenly had so many new friends. The whole flock came over to see what the fuss was. So fun. I don't think I've seen a swan up close before...

I doubt you'll believe me - but I really did try not to take so many photos... I mean, they have photos of this already - but as I'm a solo traveler who hates taking pictures of myself... and I want to remember that I was here and this is something I found interesting... I took more pictures. There was so much that I didn't take pictures of, though... so you should go see it for yourself.

These little cuties are all over. They just cheer me up when I see them poking out in the grass.

Isn't Linlithgow pretty? So cute. I wish I stayed longer.