SCOTLAND

SCOTLAND

On my first trip to the United Kingdom, I visited Scotland in August 2003 with my relatives, and my own family.

The places we visited include St Andrews and the Edinburgh city.

Scotland is a country part of the United Kingdom - sharing a border with England to the southeast - is situated on the northern third of Great Britain. Scotland is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean (north/west), by the North Sea (northeast) and by the Irish Sea (south).

It was a 3D2N free and easy trip – where we took five-hour train ride from Euston Station to St Andrews.

First stop was St Andrews where we spent about half-a-day, before proceeding to Edinburgh. As our time were limited, we just walk around the town area as well as visited the Golf Course, St Rule's Tower and St Andrews University.

ST ANDREWS OLD GOLF COURSE

St. Andrews is one of the most ancient Scottish towns. It could be described as the town which gave Scotland its patron saint, when a saintly monk named Rule, who lived in western Greece, traveled here with his most treasured possession; a box which contained a human arm bone, three fingers from a right hand, one tooth and a kneecap – all genuine relics of St Andrews. Celtic monks built the church of St Mary on the Rock whose remains stand near the harbour. Many pilgrims visited the shrine of St Andrew, who became Scotland's patron saint. His satire cross has been adopted as the nation's flag.

St Rule's Tower is all that remains of the first church of the Augustinian in St Andrews - provides panoramic views if you climb to the top. When the great Cathedral was constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries, it was the largest building in Scotland and for years was the centre of the country's religious life.

The town is a treasure trove from the past, in South Street - from the ruin of Blackfriars Chapel - once part of a Dominican friary - from here the friars went about the town caring for the community, to sites where martyrs were burnt. The town's own kirk, Holy Trinity is further along the street - from its pulpit, in 1559, the Calvinist Reformer John Knox incited his congregation to ransack the cathedral and other religious buildings. Places of interest are identified by plaques telling each location's story.

ST ANDREWS GOLF COURSE

Golf has a significant place, being the home of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and the Old Course.

The Old Course originally consisted of 22 holes, 11 out and 11 in, the golfers playing the same hold going out and in. In 1764, they decided the first and last four holes were too short, 18, today' standard for a round golf. In the mid-19th century, the course became very busy, with golfers playing out, meeting golfers playing in the same hole. To solve this, a second hole was cut on each green.

St Andrews University is the most ancient in Scotland. The university is where the children of the Royals were sent to study, here.

Today, St Andrews retains its traditional character, with the medieval burgh still exists in the heart of the modern town – excellent shopping and a fine selection of restaurants and recreational facilities.

On the second day, we spent most of our time – in Scotland's town centre and the Royal Mile, and visited the Edinburgh Castle.

Scotland's top tourists attraction is the Edinburg Castle – stands high upon an extinct volcano. See the Scottish Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny in the castle's Royal Apartments. This is the birth place of James IV, son of Mary Queen of Scots. He became the first Stuart king of England after the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Look out for the tiny Margaret's Chapel – Edinburgh's oldest building, and listen to the One O'clock fired daily from Mills Mount battery.

Edinburgh's main shopping thoroughfare is the Princes Street. Meanwhile, there is the famous Royal Mile, the cobbled street linking the Castle with The Palace of Holyroodhouse and passing St Giles High Kirk, John Know House, The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre Camera Obscura and many other museums and historical buildings are located, here.

Edinburgh's elegant Georgian New Town designed over 200 years ago by James Craig, who was awarded for Freedom of the City for his winning design.

I hope to visit this medieval city of Scotland again - in detail.

AUGUST 2003

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