Scotland provides a great escape

Country holds ancient treasures and a few fun facts

                                   By Jason Loeffler
                                        For The Mirror

            Two weekends ago, I took an amazing trip to Edinburgh, Scotland with a few friends – and the city was sublime. Edinburgh looks and feels much older than London, not to mention being the slightest bit colder and windier. The frequently overcast skies and the dark, gothic architecture gave this city by the sea a truly brooding feeling.
            Edinburgh rests on and around three large hills, the grandest being Arthur’s Seat, a beautiful mountain and national park offering a commanding view of both the surrounding Scottish highlands and their nearby sea. The second mount is called Calton Hill and sits littered by monuments. With a few Egyptian obelisks, an ancient Roman tower, and a half-completed Greek temple, Calton Hill truly earns its nick-name, “the Athens of the north.” Fun Fact #1: the unfinished Greek temple, boasting only half its columns and no roof, is called “the shame of Scotland” by the locals.
            The third and final hill is crowned by Edinburgh Castle, the city’s foremost attraction. Remaining unconquered in battle to this day, the formidable fortress was a city unto itself when it was still in operation. It now holds several Scottish war memorials, and every day at one o’clock a Scottish military officer fires a massive cannon, called the “One O’clock Gun.” Fun Fact #2: This tradition dates back centuries, so ships trying to find the nearby harbor in Scotland’s perpetual fog would know where it was – and avoid the perilous rocks surrounding it.
            Edinburgh Castle also holds the Scottish crown jewels, known as the Lost Honors of Scotland after they were buried to prevent the invading English army from taking them. The fabled Stone of Destiny rests with the recovered regalia, having been returned to Scotland by England a few decades ago. The Stone is a large slab of

A military officer prepares to fire the One O'clock Gun on top of Edinburgh Castle. The tradition dates back centuries so that ships trying to find the nearby harbor in Scotland's constant fog would know where it was. Edinburgh Castle on which the One O'clock Gun sits is stooped in Scottish history and houses many Scottish memorials and artifacts.

limestone upon which every Scottish monarch was crowned. Fun Fact #3: When the English took control of Scotland the Stone was taken to London where it was placed under a newly built throne, so that, when the king sat atop it, every Scot would know his place.
Our group’s unanimous favorite attractions in Scotland were its native food and drink. On our first night, we ate bangers and mash (translation: sausage and mashed potatoes) and haggis (minced sheep’s intestines). Both sounded sketchy, but they tasted delicious. To drink, we sampled the local Scotch whisky, which was good enough to merit a second glass. And a third. Fun Fact #4: Only whisky made in Scotland is spelled without an “e,” while the rest of the world spells the beverage whiskey, with an “e.”
Edinburgh was truly an amazing and captivating city that left a major impression on me. There is so much to see, and the Scottish people are very proud of their city – and its past. I would visit again in a heartbeat, probably making the time for another round of golf or two. In my kilt, of course.

NOTE: The above selection is an original work by the author, Jason Loeffler; he retains all rights to its content.