Edinburgh-Calton Hill

9/9/06 - From the castle we headed back down Princess Street on our way to Calton Hill.

Here we are walking up and down the closes (alleys).

Chris was in heaven!!!

Still enjoying the streets.

This is the Heart of Midlothian where a 15th Century Tolbooth once stood. It was the administrative centre of the town, prison and a site of public execution. The criminal fraternity used to spit on the door of the tolbooth as they passed by, and this tradition persists with many Edinburghers still spitting on the Heart for luck as they walk past.

I insisted on finding the heart and made everyone spit on it. We saw several locals do it too, so I wasn't crazy.

Only Chris!!

I did make everyone go into Mary King's Close with me which was a guided tour down into the catacombs beneath the city. No one wanted to go but it turned out to be a highlight of our trip.

We finally made it to Calton hill and just enjoyed the beautiful light, not quite dusk or sunset but still breathtaking. A perfect ending to our day.