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Published: October 20th 2010
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After the lunch, we popped in the Scotch Whisky Experience, I bought a small bottle of Scotch Whisky.
The Writer's Museum
Descending on the Castle Hill, we reached Lawnmarket. We found the signpost for the Writer's Museum, which Mark was interested in. Lady Stair's House, which is used for the Writer's Museum, possessed Robert Burns, Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson's memorabilia, writing tools, and stationery, and collections of completed and unfinished works.
There were photos and sketches of the buildings, villages, and local people and landscapes in South Seas and Bournemouth where Stevenson travelled. The warmer climate did not only help him cure his illness but also inspired his literature work. It was interesting to see the model of Victorian printing room and Drawing Rooms where those authors' works were involved. Mark bought a book illustrating Stevenson's life in Edinburgh.
Gladstone's Land, Lawnmarket
Next, we went to Gladstone's Land, which is under the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Standing on the Lawnmarket, Gladstone's Land is the sole survivor of the 17th century practice in Edinburgh.
Firstly, we were shown the 17th century wool shop that used to be standing on the High Street. Different
types of wool and linen clothes and coloured wools, which were dyed from natural ingredients, were displayed, together with the trestle table, sewing tools, and several barrels, The presence of the usher in the 17th century costume conveyed us the insight of wool shop in the medieval period when the shop was dealing with massive wool and line products.
Secondly, we looked round the Inner Hall, Little Chamber, Kitchen, Painted Chamber, and Green Room.
The Gladstone's Land was purchased and resided in by a very wealthy merchant, Thomas Gledstanes and his wife, Bessie Cunningham. Looking at the engraving of Lawnmarket of 1825, which is shown on the guidebook, Gladstone's Lande was the six-storey building and its tall and narrow architecture was thought to be a typical 16th or early 17th style in Scotland. Edinburgh's population started rising in the mid 17th century. People were forced to live in a cramped and insanitary condition in the old town. Residents of the Gladstone’s Land encountered the same situation by the early 20th century. By 1934, the land was condemned to demolition. However, it was rescued by the National Trust for Scotland, and has been reconstructed as a property of the
wealthy family in the 17th century.
It was truly fascinating to see the 17th century rooms and kitchen (using the old-fashioned fireplace) furnished with an oak door dating of 1624, various chairs ranging from the simple turned-wood chair to the highly elaborate high backed armchair, the mid 17th century cupboard laden with stoneware bottles, authentic grandfather’s clock, and the large 17th century type grate.
The highlight of the Gladstone’s Land was distinctive painted ceiling and walls with details of flowers, vegetables, and fruits, which was discovered intact under the layers of paint and plaster during the restoration work in the Painted Chamber. Finally, we looked round the Green Room, which was enlarged between 1733 and 1755. Unlike the rest of the room, the Green Room was furnished and decorated with green coloured panelling, cupboard laden with dinner sets and porcelain, music harpsichord, and Italian painting, which was caught on in the 18th century, known as the Georgian era.
There were some showers when we walked down Lawnmarket, but it stopped and the sun came out in the late afternoon. We explored the Old Town. Mark was interested in Greyfriar’s Bobby who is known as a faithful dog
dwelling beside his master’s grave from 1858 to 1872. We walked through Grassmarket where we could see shops selling exotic and unusual types of clothes and accessories. We found the step leading to Castle Hill, and looked at Edinburgh Castle from south direction. Afterwards, we decided to go back to the hotel.
St Giles Cathedral
Next, we went to St Giles Cathedral on Royalmile, which is one of the landmarks in Edinburgh. Despite it being Sunday, the High Street or Royalmile was busy with stalls, entertainers, and tourists. Many shops were opened.
St Giles Cathedral possesses very distinctive Gothic style architecture with a hollow-crown tower and has been used as a worship place for approximately 900 years. The historical cathedral let tourists stroll through the inside free, but requested the individual to pay £2 for photography. The church was involved with a number of religious activities and events in the 17th century.
Much of the interior, which is furnished with chapels, vaults, carved ornaments, central pillars, and font etc was under the renovation or refurbishment in May 09. There were a lot of features, which were formed between 12th and 14th century, and they were understandably required
a lot of care. Nevertheless, we could still see some of the great items. e.g. the 1992 Rieger organ of St Giles, stained glass with pictures of coats of arms, and many monuments and memorials for Scottish celebrities including James Graham (Marquess of Montrose), Robert Louis Stevenson, etc.
We looked round the Thistle Chapel, which is one of the highlights in St Giles Cathedral. We admired the chapel containing superbly detailed and exquisite carvings on the walls, chairs, and choir seats, which was founded and commissioned by James the 6th.
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