10.06.2013 Edinburgh again

My last day in Scotland was something of an anticlimax. I went back to Edinburgh. My plan was to see Holyrood Palace and Arthur´s Seat. But - no Holyrood: Prince Charles and Camilla were going there the day after, so all I got was a good lunch at the restaurant and I could say "Hello" to the Unicorn on the wall of Holyrood. Just as I did 8 years ago. Maybe I can see Holyrood the next time I come to Scotland? 

Then I walked towards Holyrood Park and Artur´s Seat. But my feet said "Stop". This grandmother played volleyball too eagerly the last day in Glenmore Lodge :) BUT I had the most delicious Scottish Afternoon Tea in a café with a view over Artur´s Seat. Not to mention the delicious fresh scones.

As a geography teacher I wanted to see The Dynamic Earth. There was an exciting little exhibition outside the hall, with facts about the geologic history of Scotland. I wish I could learn more about that! Our Scandinavian Scandes and the Scottish Highland belong to the same ancient mountain range. How - I would like to know more about. " The adventure" inside The dynamic earth was a little disappointment. It was too noisy for me and I didn´t learn so much (anything?) - and maybe it wasn´t so interesting for the pupils who were there this day either?? I´m afraid the girls wanted to Princes´ Street and the shopping there... But yes, I know: I could compare to Outdoor Education in the Highlands. And nothing can be compared to that.

                   This "Why" question is good!!

And The Dynamic Earth turned up to be an Art Exhibition as well, and that was maybe the best part of it!

And the best of all, the sabre-toothed tiger.

The geological history of Scotland from the beginning...
    ...and how the sandstone was laid:

And HERE it comes: The Scandinavian, British and North American Mountain chains were formed. But I have to admit: I didn´t understand HOW. More studies :)

 

Some results from Scotland´s tropical era - and I have to recommend an exciting book: Remarkable Creatures, which is about Mary Anning´s discoveries of fossilized creatures in the cliffs in England. You can borrow it from me!

After that Scotland was a desert,            and then the dinosaurs came.


The era for volcanic Scotland came
and now we can enjoy Arthur´s Seat and the the old volcano with Edinburgh Castle.

On my way along Royal Mile I found the oldest house in Edinburgh: John Knox´s house.