Scotland
The Military Tattoo
The finale of Edinburgh's Military Tattoo, with that city's castle in the background.
While in Edinburgh, we took in the military tattoo. Prior to knowing I wanted to see one, I had no earthly idea what a military tattoo was. In short, it’s a bunch of military bands on parade. But, this is an international tattoo, so you have groups from all over the place, some modern, some more folkloric, making it less of a military spectacle and more of a theatrical experience.
This tattoo takes place on the esplanade leading to the Edinburgh Castle, which is a great setting for this evening performance.
A dancer from the Korea Ministry of National Defense Band and Dancers at Edinburgh's Military Tattoo.
Ceremonial Scotsmen at the Military Tattoo.
Vibrant tartans for the dancers at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
A singer from the Monumental Jaguares Marching Band, Mexican folk dance group Tenochtitlan and Mariachi Oro De Mexico at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
A love story plays out at Edinburgh's Military Tattoo.
A lasso artist at Edinburgh's Military Tattoo.
A pyramid of cyclists waving the union jack at the military tattoo.
Kids performing stunts on motorcycles at the Edinburgh military tattoo.
A dog in the Korean performance of the military tattoo.
Cathedrals & Abbeys
There is no shortage of magnificent cathedrals and burned out abbeys on this island. The ruins of latter mostly the result of the attack on the church during the Reformation period.
The chapel of The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Scotland's foremost Order of Chivalry. Each seat is topped by the Knight or Lady's helm and crest. The Queen has her own stall too.
An exterior wall of the ruined Holyrood Abbey.
The ceiling of the Thistle Chapel inside St. Giles' Cathedral.
The Nave in St. Giles' Cathedral, a 14th-century church in Edinburgh.
An aisle in the ruined Holyrood Abbey at the royal residence in Edinburgh.
The Jedburgh Abbey in southern Scotland. It was a functioning abbey from 1118 to 1560, when Henry VIII gutted the Catholic churches.
The side view of the Jedburgh Abbey in southern Scotland.
A chair in Edinburgh's St. Giles' Cathedral.
This office building seems incongruous in Edinburgh, and perhaps all of Scotland. I like its lines, but it clashes with the rest of the city.
The border of Scotland and England lies on a low hill with a sweeping view.