Continued from page 1
Well, on this fine day
two Americans sat far back on bus trying to find a picture and associated literature regarding Scott Monument. Unfortunately and as typical in this sort of situation bus meandered along at a rapid pace and turned onto road that leads past Waverly Station (Edinburgh’s Rail Station) and up and around to Bridges and what would then lead onto The Royal Mile and Old City.
If one passes entrances to The Station it is typical to have amazing and wonderful site of old and famous castle of Edinburgh on left and high up, and station on right and low down (not easy to distinguish). So one would normally watch and look at Castle on right or Bank of Scotland Building ahead or some other historical site of wonderment that graces whole city. Our American friends of course where busy with their books and pamphlets, having now found Scott Monument but discarded that as it was well and far behind them by then.
Edinburgh Castle receives well over 1,000,000 million visitors every year and is where famous and yearly Military Tattoo is held during Festival Period. Built on Rock, which was first used long before Romans ever thought about sailing up Forth River oldest and still remaining building is over 900years old. As one of Britains biggest Tourist attractions its long and turbulent history is well documented and reveals that never once was castle taken by storm. The Castle to this day stands alone and proud above Capital of Scotland, showing to all a symbol of all that is Scottish.
As Bus turned away from Princess Street and passed Railway Station, husband having momentarily forgotten his search for relevant literature and having accidentally glanced out of window, was in immediate awe of castle as they sailed under it. Turning to his wife who was bent in a double-jointed manner under seat and presumably looking for book titled “Edinburgh Castle” he said in a voice filled with respect and awe, “darling, do you know why they built castle so near to railway station?”
Ieuan Dolby October 2002
Ieuan Dolby is the Author and Webmaster of Seamania . As a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Navy he has sailed the world for fifteen years. Now living in Taiwan he writes about cultures across the globe and life as he sees it.
