#893 Edinburgh, Scotland

With its famous castle overshadowing the city, giving magnificent views over the Firth of Fourth, Edinburgh is a charming place! The high street runs along the edge of the park with the castle sitting above. Historically it was important, not only as the capital and home of the Scottish parliament, but before that as an Enlightenment center and a hillfort for the kingdom of Gododden. 

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh

#913 Hadrian's Wall, England/Scotland

One of the most interesting places I went to as a child was Hadrian's Wall between England and Scotland -- it held my imagination and helped to instill a fascination with history. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of that time with me, but I hold an image in my mind that is very similar to the Wikipedia photo below, where it is completely ruined and surrounded by placid farmland.

To think that the wall was intended to keep out 'barbarians' when no doubt the Roman's lived in a comparatively barbaric lifestyle compared to today. If I was to think of it like a politician, I suppose I would view it as being a way to regulate immigration, customs, smuggling and other border-control issues!

One day I would like to walk the full length (around 120km long).



Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian's_Wall Both photo and map are from this source.

#987 Orkney Islands, Scotland, Britain

Just north of John O' Groats, the tip of the Scottish mainland, in the cold North Sea lie the Orkney Islands. Very few trees, vicious winds, rough seas, and general misty coldness make it less than appealing for some, but amazingly mystical for others. The hardy settlers live above a wide range of historical relics, from the early stone mason tribes to the Picts, Norse, Scots and Danes. Anyone interested in neolithic cultures will adore Skara Brae, Europe's most complete Stone Age village, unearthed in a storm in 1850. Of its 70 islands, 20 of which are inhabited, spectacular birdlife abounds, and there are beautiful walks along impressive cliffs. It is also home to several WWII wrecks (near the base at Scapa Flow).

Ring of Brodgar stone circle and other monoliths.

Skara Brae

Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkneys.

Source: Wikipedia 'Skara Brae', 'Orkney Islands'