Scotland: Day 11
Scotland: Day 11: Standing Stones, Rosslyn Chapel, Temple Kirk and the Resevoir
Before we did anything else today, we went into town to get another set of rechargeable batteries and a charger for them. Also, my dad checked in with Stewart at Caledonia, the place where he ordered his kilt, stoles. etc. While we were waiting for him, we were parked across the street from the "book room" where I'll be getting Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince in less than 2 DAYS!! ACK!!
After that, we went to the edge of town near Peebles Hotel Hydro, where there is an ancient celtic standing stone in the wall along the side of the road. After that, we drove out to Rosslyn Chapel, which is not that far from Peebles. Some of you may be familiar with Rosslyn Chapel through the Da Vinci code, which I've never read, but my brother just bought today and is planning to read on the way to London to visit his roommate Jon. The chapel was very interesting and carvings were really intricate, but it didn't have the right feel to it. It was either because there were so many tourists there (and it was obvious it was set up for tourists) or because they're doing repairs on the building so there is a large metal scaffolding over/around it. Maybe both. I challenged my fear of heights by going up on the scaffolding to look at the roof and the gargoyles/grotesques.
Then, we drove to the ruins of an old church in the town of Temple (Temple Kirk.) It was used by the Knights Templar, who were crusaders. Behind the church there is a path that leads down to a stream in the woods, so me and my mom followed the path for about 15 minutes (my dad and brother didn't want to get dirty.) There were two friendly dogs wandering around the area where we parked, so I got some good pictures of them.
After that, we took some country roads and ended up near the resevoir. It was beautiful: lots of calm, flat water surrounded by grass, trees and mountains....even some sheep! Then we came back and made dinner, I did some laundry, and now I'm here. Tomorrow, J.K. Rowling is reading some of the new Harry Potter book at 11:45pm from Edinburgh Castle and they're broadcasting it on iTv1, which is one of the few channels we get. I will definately be up watching it and I will probably tape it because I know that Shannon would want to see it. Some of my favorite pictures are behind the cut.
Mini-Cooper!
Friendly Scottish Dog
Standing Stone
At Rosslyn Chapel
Temple Kirk
The Resevoir
