Day 30 - Except the Lord in Vain - Edinburgh

Those in the know, will know that the yesterdays heading was Edinburgh' city motto, taken from Psalm 127, (translation given today!) It has been the city motto since 1647, we also found this welcome sign! 

We took the bus into the city today (parking fee was over £17 yesterday! fortunately reduced because of our visit to the castle).

A Dogs Tail!

I forgot to mention yesterday that we saw the statue and grave of Greyfrairs Bobby - who was a a Skye Terrier  who became known in 19th-century for supposedly spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner a former city police officer in Greyfrairs Churchyard and was fed by local people until he died himself on 14 January 1872. Whether it is completely true it is a good story of loyalty and obedience.  

Today was spent on the "Royal Mile". When John Wesley visited  Musselburgh in April 1751, he took a quick look at Edinburgh, he remarked ‘one of the dirtiest cities I have ever seen’. On another visit he said that the High Street [‘Royal Mile’] was ‘far beyond’ any in Britain, though ‘it stank like a common sewer’ – which indeed I understand was true at the time but thank goodness not today!

The Royal mile isn't a mile in length - it is slightly longer and marks the distance between Edinburgh Castle and the Queen's Scottish residence the Holyrood Palace. Several churches and important religious buildings are found along the route, but New Age ideas are gaining influence, Calton Hill host the largest Pagan festival in Europe and over 7 ghost tours exist on the Royal Mile inspired by the fact that the present street lies on the top of an underground 'city', which was sealed up in the 17th century to prevent the plague from spreading, which according to some makes Edinburgh the most haunted city in the world. However at the heart of the street stands St Giles Cathedral, a strong symbol of the power of Christ, and over the centuries the church has seen other threats to its beliefs and has outlived them, as God continues to pour out His spirit and transforms both people and culture.

St Giles Cathedral

A church probably existed on the site since 854AD built by the Benedictine monks. The Cathedral is named after the patron saint of lepers, and the Lazarite monks who looked after them (named after Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead). The Lazarite monks were commissioned by King David to build a stone church in 1124AD, only a few stones of the original church remain today. The current church dates from 1385, it has always been linked with kings and queens. In 1466 the Pope granted it Collegiate status, one step below Cathedral. The Reformation severed any papal connection. John Knox preached at St Giles on 29th June 1559, only a week later was elected Minster of the church and stayed for 13 years in which the interior changed, walls were whitewashed, furnishing taken away, any reminders of Catholicism destroyed. and the teaching became  Calvinistic. The Church of Scotland was in the process of being born although it would another 100 years after Knox's death that it actually came into being. During the 19th century the Church underwent restoration to preserve the building and to bring back some of its former glory.

John Knox House

John Knox House is one of the only remaining buildings on the Royal Mile still used for the purpose for which it was built - Crarrubbers Christian Centre. Built in 1883 to house the Carrubbers Close Mission, the building is still a lively church.

John Knox House

 Palace of Holyrood

Walking down towards the Scottish Parliament, we passed Canongate Kirk - outside it depicts the

Canongate Kirk

story of how King David was hunting in the forest by Arthur's seat when a stag caused his horse to rear up and he fell off. As he looked up he grabbed the stag's antlers and saw a shining cross between his antlers. That night he had a dream where God told him to build an Abbey on the spot where he had seen the cross, and so Holyrood (Holy Cross) Abbey was built.

Today the abbey ruins form part of the queen's palace at the bottom of the royal mile.

Holyrood Palace

Abbey Ruins

Scottish Parliament

We took a tour of the state apartments and Mary, Queen of Scots' historic chambers and the abbey ruins and gardens. This stands opposite top the new Scottish Parliament buildings. The Palace is still a working residence for the Queen.

We decided to end the day with a cuppa in the cafe.