About Town: Edinburgh 2.0

I first visited Edinburgh in 2024. I spend the day exploring before coming down with Covid and relocating to Falkirk. In 2026, I spent a day (and evening) in Edinburgh before (and after) my 9-day Rabbies tour of the Highlands. I saw some of the same things and some different things.

Adam Smith coned

Alexander and Bucephalus

 Polish tank commander of World War II

Me and the Polish general

Bagpipe player

Netherbow Wellhead

Red Box

Ventriloquist

The Philosopher

White Noise: Scottish music

Witches Well

Too many steps to drag luggage up (or down)

An owl in Old Town

Another piper

David Hume statue at night

Rubbing his toe for good luck

Street performer: acrobat

Ardvreck Castle Ruins

The ruins of Ardvreck Castle sit on a small promontory along the rocky and pebbly shores of Loch Assynt in the Scottish Highlands. Ardvreck Castle dates from about 1490 and is associated with the Clan Macleod of Assnyt. It fell into ruin after being captured, damaged by fire and lightning, and eventually abandoned in the 18th century.

Ardvreck Castle, c. ~1490

Nearby mountains

Abandoned in the early 18th century

Beach near the castle

Selfie in front of the castle

Loch Assynt

There is a waterfall nearby. It drops a modest 20 to 30 feet into the Lock Assynt. 

Ardvreck Castle Waterfall [watch video]

Elaine Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most iconic images of Scotland, dating back to the middle of the 13th century. It is situated on an island at the point where three lochs meet. It is one of the most visited sites in Scotland and was one of the highlights of my visit. 

Map of island

Footbridge, c. early 20th century

Blue skies

The tower

Bridge across the loch

The castle was first built in the mid-13th century. Since then, four different versions of the castle have been built and rebuilt as Scottish history unfolded. The castle was mostly the stronghold of the MacKenzie clan and their allies the MacRaes. After the castle was destroyed in the Jacobite rebellion (by the British Royal Navy) of 1719, the castle lay in ruin for almost 200 years. The castle was fully rebuilt between the years 1920 and 1932 and opened to the public in 1955. It is a famous filming location and has been features in movies such as Highland and the World is Not Enough (James Bond).

Historic cannon

Memorial to men of the MacRae clan who died in WWI

Loch Long (?)

Monk inside the castle

Misty

From above

A dog's loyalty

Greyfriar's Bobby was a faithful Skye Terrier in 19th century Edinburgh. He reportedly spent 14 years guarding his owner's grave, John Gray, an Edinburgh city policeman. After Gray died of tuberculosis in 1858, Bobby refused to leave his graveside. He stayed by the grave for 14 years before dying in 1872 at age 16. The dog's devotion deeply moved the people of Edinburgh, who fed him and protected him.

Greyfriars Bobby statue, c. 1873

One year after Bobby died (in 1873), a Greyfriars Bobby statue was unveiled in Edinburgh. It was placed at the junction of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Row, opposite the entrance to Greyfriars Kirkyard. The life-size statue is perched on top of a small granite drinking fountain. Touching Bobby's nose is meant to bring good luck, but can damage the historic landmark; thus, is frowned upon.

Perched on top of a drinking fountain

Bobby was buried just inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, not far from John Gray's resting place. A separate newer commemorative headstone and a newer granite sculpture inside the kirkyard were added later, in 1981 and 2021 respectively

Scotland's most beloved dog, c. 2021

Commemorative gravestone, c. 1981

Bobby's story

Kilchurn Castle Ruins

Kilchurn Castle is a ruined structure on a rocky peninsula at the northeastern end of Loch Awe. The original site of the castle was an island. The castle was first constructed in the mid-15th century and was a Clan Campbell stronghold. It contains the oldest surviving military barracks on the British mainland, added when the castle was converted into a garrison stronghold in 1689. 

Path to the castle

Kilburn Castle, c. 1440's

In 1760, the castle was badly damaged by lightning and was completely abandoned by the Campbell family around 1770. When we visited, the castle interior was closed. It could only be viewed externally.

Closed for conservation

One of Scotland's most photographed castles

Loch Awe

Selfie in front of castle

Scotland's longest fresh water loch

Struck by lightening in 1760

There is a picturesque railroad bridge along the path to Kilchurn Castle.

Loch Awe Railroad Bridge, c. 1880

Kilchurn crossing

The viaduct