Kilted Fortnight Scotland Holiday – 2011

**McClef** · 28th September 11, 06:33 AM

Both those pictures you mentioned were covered in the BBC programme on Mondya night Ern.

If TV is allowed to take inside pics why not visitors? Probably because of the money they make from selling the guides and postcards might suffer I guess.

**Paul Henry** · 28th September 11, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by McClef

Both those pictures you mentioned were covered in the BBC programme on Mondya night Ern.

If TV is allowed to take inside pics why not visitors? Probably because of the money they make from selling the guides and postcards might suffer I guess.

The reason is down to control really, one set of tv cameras are there for perhaps a few hours, and on a few ocasions only, it's one team who can be looked after, and generally speaking professional cameramen , either still or moving, are used to working in different situations and can usually get a very good result. The general public are actually fairly hard to manage and control in large numbers, and having hundreds of flash guns going off isn't very kind to the the pictures or the fabrics.
As I visitor I dislike intensely people getting in the way taking photographs it disrupts the visit for me, and especially if flash is involved

Of course all the historic places want to sell postcards and the like, but being realistic most of those pictures they sell are fairly good quality and a much more accurate record of the place.
But Holyrood isn't any different from historic places all over the world, very few allow flash photography, and many don't allow any sort of photography either.

**Jock Scot** · 28th September 11, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by McClef

Both those pictures you mentioned were covered in the BBC programme on Mondya night Ern.

If TV is allowed to take inside pics why not visitors? Probably because of the money they make from selling the guides and postcards might suffer I guess.

You are wrong there Trefor, it is all to do with security and prevention of theft.

Many stately homes now refuse consent to pics being taken inside these days. It was after some art thieves raided Drumlanrig Castle where a very important work of art was stolen( returned some years later after a cloak and dagger opperation) it was discovered that the thieves identified possible future sales of their ill-gotten gains to prospective "customers" by posing as tourists taking pictures of this and that. The pictures were also used to identify security systems and points of entry and exits.

**Phil** · 28th September 11, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by McClef

Both those pictures you mentioned were covered in the BBC programme on Mondya night Ern.

And the dirk that George IV is wearing was shown. Very impressive it was too. The fountain in the courtyard is very similar to one at Linlithgow Palace. A small correction - that is Salisbury crags in the background, not Arthur's seat.

**Mael Coluim** · 8th October 11, 08:58 AM

[The story continues.]

After leaving Holyrood Palace, we made out way to the opposite end of the Royal Mile (High Street) to The Castle. The day before tourist had been denied entry to The Castle due to high winds from the remnants of a tropical storm. Still windy we were able to tour The Castle. There were some challenges to remain modest being kilted.

King Robert the Bruce

Sir William Wallace

Today, I wear my modern Malcolm tartan casual kilt from Burnett & Struth’s. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo played here in August, since 1950 is world famous. Its first director was Lt. Col. George Ian Malcolm of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the XVIII Laird of Poltalloch, Chief of the Malcolm MacCallum Clan.

**Mael Coluim** · 8th October 11, 09:04 AM

The Royal Palace in the heart of The Caste in Crown Square. Click here to read about the Palace and the Honours of Scotland.

Read here about the re-discovery the Honours of Scotland

The poignant Scottish National War Memorial that honours the fallen Scottish military since World War I.

On top of my list to see was St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving building in all of Edinburgh. Built around 1130 by King David I to honor his mother who died in 1093 due to the news of her husband, Malcolm III’s death.

**Mael Coluim** · 8th October 11, 09:07 AM

What’s a castle without cannon? No, disappointment here. The six ton siege gun from the 15th century, Mons Meg.

One of the cannon of the Argyll Battery built by General Wade in 1730’s and named to honor John Campbell 2nd Duke of Argyll for his victory at Sheriffmuir in 1715.

From the battlements you can get some great views of the city.

There is much more to see. A return to The Castle is high on my list of return visits. Next off to Grassmarket for a pint and lunch! More to come

**English Bloke** · 10th October 11, 02:09 AM

Crackin' pictures as ever Ern. Sorry I missed you. I'm an hour and a bit south of Carlisle but at the time of your visit I was away at work. One day mate... One day.

**Mael Coluim** · 14th October 11, 05:15 PM

It was a steep long stairs that took us ‘down’ to Grassmarket. I had spent a few enjoyable visits to the pubs and restaurant here in 2009. But that’s not how Grassmarket started. I was a man on the mission to go the Last Drop Tavern.

This tavern was behind the execution area in times past. One of residents at the community I manage had recommended it to me. He is a native born Scot who immigrated to the US as a child with his family. Later he piloted B-17s in WWII. Success!

Enjoying a Bellhaven Best Ale