Edinburgh, the On Off Bus and Holyrood Palace

The next day we rode the on off bus around Edinburgh, saw the castle and decided to have lunch at The White Hart pub which is Edinburgh's oldest located in the Grassmarket.

After lunch is was back on the bus to see more of Edinburgh's old town including the Gladstone building.  Our driver taught us that you can learn the age of the building by looking at the stones.  The lack of uniformity indicate original workmanship.  This building even had the half shuttered windows and original glass...

Then it was on to Holyrood Palace.

It was at Holyrood that Queen Elizabeth met with the Pope and often has royal investitures.  It is also the former home of Mary, Queen of Scots.  It was here that Riccio, her beloved servant, was murdered by her crummy husband, Darnley, in a fit of jealousy.

We were able to see many of the rooms but as you would expect, no pictures allowed.  We were able to photograph the ruins of the original abbey on which is was built however.

 

Next stop the Royal Yacht Britannia!