July 27, 2019 (Dunfermline Palace & Abbey, Linlithgow, Stirling Castle)

Today we experienced torrential rains as we visited wonderful sites. We started with Dunfermline Abbey and Palace ruins.

Dunfermline Abbey is a Church of Scotland Parish Church in DunfermlineFifeScotland. The church occupies the site of the ancient chancel and transepts of a large medieval Benedictine abbey, which was sacked in 1560 during the Scottish Reformation and permitted to fall into disrepair. Part of the old abbey church continued in use at that time and some parts of the abbey infrastructure still remain. Dunfermline Abbey is one of Scotland’s most important cultural sites.

Everyone was very wet, but that didn’t affect the glory of the day. From there we went to Linlithgow Castle, one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries.  This is where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to King James V who also became King James I of England, giving us the King James Bible. Our last stop was Stirling Castle where we learned more about Mary Queen of Scots and also William Wallace.

Stirling Castle is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, both historically and architecturally. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position. Its strategic location, guarding what was, until the 1890s, the farthest downstream crossing of the River Forth, has made it an important fortification in the region from the earliest times. Before the union with England, Stirling Castle was also one of the most used of the many Scottish royal residences, very much a palace as well as a fortress.

Tonight was an extra treat as Tim Jones was giving a live performance outside our hotel and we could all hear it from our rooms!

On the way to Dunfermline –

   

Dunfermline Abbey –

 

Robert the Bruce buried here –

View of town from Dunfermline Abbey –

Dunfermline Palace ruins –

Drove past these –

Town of Linlithgow –

 

Several of us had lunch here near Linlithgow Palace – (a rainy view!)

Linlithgow Palace –

 

A covenant that was signed. An ancestor of Mrs. Eddy’s grandmother was a Covenanter.

Stirling Castle –

Cannons were always at the ready –

 

Staying dry –

  

Stirling Castle “Queen Anne Garden” –

Crossing the bridge into Stirling Castle, this moat would have been filled with water –

Inside Stirling Castle

The Queen’s room & ceiling –

 

The baby Mary Queen of Scots nurse explaining the gold and red wrap and a little history –

Some brief history –

View from Stirling castle over the castle wall –

Gathering to hear from Kristy –

 

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