SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
CIRCUITOUS TRAVEL – PART 3 continued
And so we left Edinburgh, went through Queensferry
Credit Google Search
to go over the Forth Bridge which goes over The Firth of Forth, an estuary of several Scottish rivers, and on to Dunfermline. Here are a few pictures we took of the Forth Bridge (for trains),
the bridge for trains and cars,
and the bridge for cars.
Again, from Wikipedia I gleaned: Dunfermline – The town was first recorded in the 11th century, with the marriage of Malcolm III, King of Scotland, and Saint Margaret at the church in Dunfermline. As his Queen consort, Margaret established a new church dedicated to the Holy Trinity, which evolved into an Abbey under their son, David I in 1128. Following the burial of Alexander I in 1160, the abbey graveyard confirmed its status as the burial place of Scotland’s kings and queens up to and including Robert The Bruce in 1329.
We found it to be a fascinating place to see. The ruins are beautiful, as is the current church, which is still in use.
The Church yard
Abbey & Palace – credit BikELove
Abbey & Palace – credit Historic Environment Scotland
Credit Google Search and TripAdvisor
From Dunfermline, we drove to Falkland Palace and Garden. Here are a few pictures we took there.
Palace entrance
Falkland Palace
From the Falkland Palace website, I found: Falkland was the country retreat of the Stewart kings and queens of Scotland, located within easy reach of Edinburgh, yet far enough distant to provide a welcome escape. Here the royal court could indulge in hawking and hunting, plus more genteel recreations like archery. Falkland boasts the oldest real (or ‘royal’) tennis court in the world, built in 1539 for James V.
The Falkland Gardens are quite beautiful, but are relatively new, being laid out in 1947.
From Falkland Palace and Garden, we finally arrived in St. Andrews on the coast.
After wandering around the golf course and the original golf club house, we purchased some goodies for ourselves as mementoes. We purchased a cashmere scarf; I purchased some Gunn Clan pins (Fred is a direct descendent of the Gunn Clan);
Credit Google Search
Fred purchased a Gunn Clan tie, which he still wears proudly. Here is a swatch of the Gunn Clan tartan. We think it is quite beautiful.
We were told there, that when a Scot female marries, she is not allowed to wear her husband’s tartan. She is always associated with her father’s tartan. Interesting.
We returned to Edinburgh, where we walked around the town a bit and shopped, as well. I purchased a Gunn Clan book; a Gunn Clan pin and necklace; and one meter of the Gunn Clan tartan. I intended to make some garment for our daughters. I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t get that done until this past Christmas. I made a long scarf for each of them, with self fringe. They are delighted with it.
Also in all of this shopping – especially for the tartan, I discovered that I have a family tartan, as well. It is the Colquhoun Clan – very similar to our American word/name of Calhoun. The tartan is very similar to the Gunn tartan, with similar colors. I think it’s pretty, as well.
~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~
Your research and details are amazing. What beautiful buildings you show.
Love, DiVoran
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