2,000 Years Ago

https://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=email-IM_Christmas_112915_Image

This true story is as remarkable today as it was 2,000 years ago. Please view this link. You will be blessed by so doing. Merry Christmas.

Arthur's Seat

This is the famed Arthur's Seat or Pratt's hill as LDS people call it. It is a dormant volcano. Yes, Elder Ladle and I climbed it to the highest point on the left (822') with the new Scotland/Ireland missionaries and President and Sister Donaldson last week.Going up was not easy, but coming down was even more difficult because of the slipperiness of the trail.

Orson Pratt came to Edinburgh as a missionary in the Spring of 1840. He was 28 years old and one of the original apostles of the restoration, having been converted in Canada. His first companion was Samuel Milliner, a native Scot, also converted in Canada. Soon after arriving in Edinburgh he climbed Arthur's Seat and petitioned the Lord for 200 souls to build up the kingdom in Scotland. The two missionaries worked tirelessly preaching in the streets every day and seven times on Sundays. Progress was very slow at first. By the end of the summer they had only 23 baptisms, 7 of which were relatives of Samuel.

However by the end of March the following year his prayer had been answered and in the Millennial Star he reported, "I left upwards of 200 disciples under the watch-care of George D. Watt, a faithful and humble brother from Preston in England."

This is the side view, but shows the terrain well.

Remembrance Sunday

A time to remember those who fought for the freedom we enjoy.

WWI 17 million deaths, 20 million wounded.

WWII 60 million deaths.

They gave up their tomorrows so we could enjoy our todays. Do not let it be in vain.





Throughout the UK, the first Sunday closest to November 11th becomes REMEMBRANCE Sunday.

November 11, 1918 marked the end of WWI. 1919 became the first Remembrance day.

In 1922 it was suggested that poppies be made by people who had lost a hand. Since then millions of poppies have been made by the disabled. This year, 36 million poppies were made.




The poppy wreaths are placed on monuments throughout the nation.

At 11am throughout the UK there is a 2 minute silence. It is a time to REMEMBER and never forget.

The BIG Pineapple

This is one of the most bizarre buildings in Scotland. You can see that it is in the shape of a pineapple, very prickly. The pineapple is 45 feet high. There are 4 chimneys that look like vases on the roof. They circulate the heated air through the cavities in the walls. This summer home was built in 1761 and can be rented as a holiday home if desired.

This was a birthday present for the Earl of Dunnmore's wife, Susan. There is a 6 acre brick walled garden and a haven for wild life on the property. Because this is now private property this is all we could see.

Now why the PINEAPPLE in Scotland? I know you are wondering like we did. Well, remember Columbus? Well in 1493, he discovered pineapples in the Caribbean and brought some back to the Queen in England. It was quite a delicacy and only the rich could afford them. If you traveled to a place that had pineapples, upon your return you would have a small metal pineapple placed on the top of your metal fence. This was to flaunt your riches.

St. Andrews- The Home of Golf

Golf has been played here since the 15th century, with the Golf Club being founded in 1754. They have 7 golf courses with the largest public complex in Europe. Today the green fees range from 8-170 British Sterling depending on the season and course.




Appropriate dress, nothing scruffy or holey is allowed. Business casual is the word.

Looking the other direction now towards 18th hole

Birdseye view of the OLD Course surrounded on all sides by ocean. It is very scenic.

Not your favorite place to be.

Can you see the swans?

St. Andrews Cathedral

Mary King Close

Edinburgh is built on the spine of rock. There were a series of lanes and dwellings that grew out of this long street that fell away to either side. Old town made these residences on CLOSES. So a Close was named after the most prominent citizen or resident on the Close.

In the 1630, Mary King Close was a widow and mother of 4 children. She traded fabrics and sewed to make a living. She was highly regarded to have a Close named after her as women did not normally receive this acclaim.

The Closes are now underground. Closes were at the heart of Edinburgh busiest streets. So how 400 years later are they underground?

There are tales of murder, ghosts and 300 plague victims being walled up to die that are waiting to be told.




No pictures were allowed because the government buildings are above the close.



.
Tour guides in period costumes.


When people were being treated from the plague the doctor would wear an oil cloth to protect him and the beak nose mask was filled with sweet smelling herbs believed to keep the evil spirit of the plague away. From most historical accounts, it did work. There is no accurate death toll from the plague in Edinburgh in 1645. In Leith which is like a suburb over 3,000 people died which was roughly 50% of their population. Edinburgh has a population of 35,000 at that same time period.

Royal Botanic Garden

This was originally founded in 1670 to grow medicinal plants and went hand in hand with their medical school.

Currently The Royal Botanic Garden comprises 70 acres. It has been in it's present area since 1820. It's purpose is for the scientific study of plants and their diversity and conversation. They work with countries throughout the world to keep species alive. They have 3 million preserved specimens and 13,302 living species.

Enjoy the beautiful scenes.

These pine cones are on the branches, not at the end of the needles.

There were still some flowers blooming. These are called Doll Eyes because each of the white berries has a black dot on it.

This was our guide. They won't know the age of the tree until they have to cut it down. It was there when they moved there.

Did you know they have autumn crocus?

The Rock Garden area.

Scottish shrubs and trees.

They are thinking that this might be a plant that has the potential of taking over the flower bed. In the fall it dies down to the roots and then will grow tall to 10 feet in the summer. 

Close up of the limbs of the trees above. They are very prickly.

A wonderful ending to a beautiful day. We will have to return and see the Queen's Garden.