Although it has now been a few weeks since my daughter and I have returned from Scotland, the posting of these photos brings me right back to the day I was standing here.
The trip was more than a holiday...it was meant to fill a space in my heart that connects to my ancestors. And, it did just that....
The next few photos are some of the details on the outside of the monument tower.
The Wallace shield embellished with the knotted rope. Atop the shield is the Scottish Thistle.
Sir William Wallace, Guardian of Scotland
The monument, designed by architect J D Rochead, was built in the Scottish Baronial Style.
The knotted rope, again, around the windows...
If you click on the photo, you can see Stirling Castle, on a distant hill.
Here is the beginning of the winding steps that lead to the overlook. All I wanted to see was the first level where Wallace's sword is displayed. When I made the first turn on the narrow stone steps, I knew I could probably make it. It was the return trip down that worried me. One slip and my holiday would be over.
In the gift shop, I spied a tee-shirt that said... "I've climbed the 246 steps".
In the end, I photographed the shirt and tweaked it with my computer...
now you know,
the rest of the story !!
Meggie Mac
What a view! What history! My husband and son would have jumped at the chance to climb those stairs, and I would have been sitting at the bottom trying to decide if I could make it without having a heart attack. (yes, can you tell we have faced similar situations in the past.)
ReplyDeleteYou know, I have no problem climbing high places outside...the steps were so narrow on the spiral, I just couldn't take a chance on slipping on the way down.
DeleteWow! What a view. I love the history that you have been sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle....there is so much more than I write in each post. There is more to come, especially Culloden Moor.
DeleteI would not have even tried going up a few steps. Going up isn't so bad, but coming down is so hard on the knees! Great shots of the place.
ReplyDeleteIf only there had been a rail to hold on to, but the rail was part of the stone wall...nothing to wrap your fingers around. I think I made the right choice.
DeleteYour photos are MUCH better than mine, Meggie. Really good. And I see you've visited Culloden - a very atmospheric place; last time I was there was in 1998 and I know they've made some changes.
ReplyDelete