Skywatch Friday - castle beacon


Against a clear Spring sky a brazier on Edinburgh Castle's ramparts waits for fuel. I pass the Castle every day on my way to work, and it's easy to forget that it was built for war.


The stark outline of the brazier brought this home to me as I took these shots.


I haven't visited the Castle since I was 6. Perhaps it's time to scrape together the £14 entry fee. It's an expensive business being a tourist in your own city.

See more skies around the world (free!) at Skywatch Friday.

Comments

  1. you are right when you say it's expensive to be a tourist in your own city. somehow it doesn't seem reasonable to spend that much to go inside something you see every day. great thought about the braziers. i like how you notice these things. :)

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  2. There's something so fun and different about the brazier on the wall of an old castle! That is combining the present with the past in a fun way! I love it! Terrific captures of the lovely blue skies and the castle! Living in the US, I'm always fascinated by castles and have tried to visit as many as possible while I lived in Europe. Love the sense of history. Great post! Happy SWF! Enjoy your weekend!

    Sylvia

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  3. Always interesting to visit your city via your blog.

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  4. You are so right! I haven't been to most of the big tourist attractions here but I guess I should. Somehow it always seems that you can go another day.

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  5. It is sometimes a bit of an effort to put aside money to visit places in your own city, I found out that it's well worth it though!

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  6. I'd like to be the night watchman at The Castle. Imagine the views of a sleeping Edinburgh, the foggy nights and the first rays of sunrise as they rake the Pentlands. Bonus: Free admission.

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  7. Wow for me who haven't been to any real castle this one is fantastic!! Love to hear the stories behind the castle for sure there are a lot to tell and I like to hear love stories not haunted stories ^_^ Happy Friday!
    SWF

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  8. My husband and I knew immediately which castle this is. We have visited it twice and it is awesome. I can still see those cannons poking out their heads. This is one fabulous fortress, and you have captured it beautifully. I think you need to spend the 14 pounds and go back for a visit.When you do go, think of me when you go down into that precious little chapel. It is lovely. Have a wonderful weekend without too much cold and rain.

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  9. so amazing....nice shots! thanks for dropping by...great to be here.

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  10. Lovely blue skies with just a hint of cloud. I'd love to tour the castle!

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  11. What a wonderful castle! Love the little detail of the brazier.

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  12. Linda, I've never seen a brazier before. We lack castles here in the states. Really cool! It's a shame that there is not a discount for local residents to visit historic places. The locals might do a good job of say..blogging about these points of interest and entice would be travelers to stop by! :) Cheers, Jenni

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  13. Beautiful shots of the castle under the blue sky.

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  14. Too bad they don't do a locals discount!!!
    It's expensive to sight see at home for the locals here in California too!!!

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  15. Beautiful photographs as always. I hadn't noticed the brazier before. I think you should get a discount for all your work publicising Edinburgh!

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  16. Edinburgh Castle is such a fantasic sight. I have visted it quite a few times over the years, and the tour is awesome. Even though at 14 quid it is a bit on the pricey side.

    I know all about the cost of being a tourist in my adopted home, London, nightmare!

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  17. pretty amazing to live in a city that has a castle!!! (Oldest buildings here in our village were built in the early 1700's)

    have a wonderful weekend!

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  18. What a crystal clear, blue sky you have! I am sure you must be elated over the arrival of springtime. I know what you mean - I can't afford to be a tourist in my city, either.

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  19. it's quite imposing and mysterious. same thing here, usually the locals couldn't afford to visit the heritage sites.:(

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  20. Hi Linda,
    Love the angles in your photos and how clear is that sky!It must be a lovely feeling living with one foot in the presant and one in the past, as you see all these historical sights.
    Here on the Gold Coast the locals can get season passes to the theme parks at a fraction of what the tourists pay. Perhaps you could approach the castle manager and ask same?
    Vickixx

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  21. Lovely photo - I hope to visit one day :) XOL

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  22. Thank you for all the comments. Several of them reminded me that yes, I am lucky to live in the midst of history like this. The idea of free admission in return for publicising various Edinburgh attractions is good - I wonder if Historic Scotland will be swayed? But I will have to visit the Castle again, £14 or not.

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  23. It is definitely worth a visit now, I would say. Often at this time of year Historic Scotland have free entry days. Check out their website and it should tell you when it is. The stone of destiny is at Edinburgh now too - if you believe it is the real one, of course ;)
    Stirling castle is a good visit too.
    xx

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  24. Barefoot Crofter, I'll definitely check for free entry days - thanks for the tip. On the stone of destiny, I'm completely neutral!
    I HAVE been to Stirling Castle, tho it took a concert by a Suzuki music group from Southern Illinois to get me there.

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