Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage, Day 11, Edinburgh

St. David's Episcopal Church

Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage

led by

Ken and Darlene Swanson

Day 11, April 14th: Edinburgh

Finally we had a sunny day, although it remained very chilly.  We drove north into Scotland.  The actual border crossing was highlighted by a stop with a piper.  

The pilgrims enter Scotland.

We continued north driving through the borders, in beautiful rolling country, passing through several picturesque towns.  We stopped at Jedburgh Abbey, the great Augustinian monastery in the Scotland which helped to cement the transition from Celtic to Roman Catholic spirituality in the 12th century.

We entered Edinburgh, Scotland's capital and Ken Swanson's home in the late 1970's, in the late morning.  

We walked up the Royal Mile toward Edinburgh Castle.

The pilgrims at Edinburgh Castle.

The castle, high on a bluff dominates the city and on this crystal clear day provided wonderful views of the city.  There are multiple buildings in the castle, including regimental dormitories, a royal palace which holds the crown jewels of Scotland, and the tiny St. Margaret's Chapel dedicated to the 11th century Queen of Scotland who was famous for her piety and Christian devotion.  

The altar in St. Margaret's Chapel

We also toured Holyrood Palace, the Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth II, which holds rooms filled with historical interest from the time of Mary Queen of Scots.  

Tomorrow we're off to Iona, the island where St. Columba founded his monastery in 563.  Called Holy Island by the Scots, it is felt by many to be the premier "thin place" in Celtic spirituality.