Disclaimer: This is a special 2.5-for-1 blog because I have photos to share from two separate days but didn’t have enough content to write two blogs!
First Blog: The Old College at University of Edinburgh
Originally named the “New College,” the Old College at UoE is currently home to the law school and assorted lecture halls (including two in which I have Roman Art and Archaeology lectures). The building was completed in 1827, although the signature dome was not added until 1887. Topping the dome is a gilded statue of youth personified.
Second Blog: National Museum and the Royal Mile
I woke up early Monday to knock two attractions off the Edinburgh bucket list: The National Museum of Scotland and the Royal Mile.
A personal must-see, Dolly the Sheep does not disappoint. However, there were some Conway-esque “alternative facts” I previously believed about genetic cloning that were put to rest. The largest is that Dolly was not born from a petri dish but birthed from a host mother (big bummer). This means that to clone dinosaurs Jurassic Park-style, one would need a host mother big enough for dinosaur babies.
In the “Kingdom of the Scots” exhibit, the above displays particularly stand out. The Monymusk Reliquary is Scotland’s oldest surviving early Christian relic. In the 8th century, it was carried into battle at Aberdeenshire to protect the Scot army. The historical significance of the swords is less fascinating, but I appreciated the resemblance these swords bare to their Game of Thrones counterparts: Ice, Widow’s Wail, and Oathkeeper.
In the natural history wing of the museum, there is enough taxidermy to satisfy every dentist in the state of Minnesota. The T. Rex skeleton is a show-stopper, but I found a certain other apex predator to be the most photogenic: the Scottish Wildcat (endangered).
Third Blog: The Royal Mile
After a morning of museum-going, I headed to the Royal Mile.
At the east end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile sits the castle, perched in the air above the city. I didn’t have time to go in, but I will at some point and post an in-depth blog after. I found the view south to be particularly stunning, even on a gloomy day!
At the west end of the Royal Mile is lovely Holyrood Palace. It looks nice from the outside but you have to buy tickets to go in. So I didn’t and all I can say is that it looks nice from the outside.
As I was wandering around, a man and his wife were walking out of the shop with the ticket booth looking disgusted, and I overheard him say, “Just another way the queen squeezes out every penny you’ve got.”
I was tired after a long morning of exploring, so I stopped into Oink Delicious Hog Roasts for a meal of pulled pork with haggis, crisps, and a refreshing bottle of Irn Bru. Irn Bru, formerly known as Iron Brew, is somehow the top-selling soft drink in Scotland. On that conundrum, I think I’ll wrap this blog up. Until next time!
Emlyn in Edinburgh 