Dumbarton Castle

Very often people do not take much notice of what lies close to them. We will travel long distances to see famous landmarks, but ignore our own back yard.

A few miles from here, perched on the sides and top of an extinct volcano is Dumbarton Castle. It holds a commanding site overlooking the River Clyde and the entrance to the River Leven. In times gone past anyone sailing up the Clyde towards Glasgow was easily visible from the Castle ramparts, and if you were an enemy, easy target for the cannons.
Dumbarton was the ancient Capital of Strathclyde from the 5th century until 1018.
As far back as he Iron Age it was important, and the people here traded with the Romans.
St Patrick mentions it in a letter.
Merlin the magician was reputed to have visited here, and there are strong links with Wales in history.
The castle saw many important people, including Royalty. Mary Queen of Scots set sail from here to France to be betrothed to the Dauphin.
William Wallace was kept prisoner here on his way to London for trial and execution.
It was used as a prison for French soldiers during the Napoleonic wars.

The history is fascinating. The views from the Castle on a fine day are stunning. But be warned. There are many many steps to climb if you are to visit both summits of the Rock. As a result of that, last entry id 4.45pm to allow you enough time to reach the top.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbarton_Castle

ttps://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A9mSs2sv6ZdVBmEAwAJLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTE0cGs5cThkBGNvbG8DaXIyBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVUlVS0MwMV8xBHNlYwNzYw--?p=Dumbarton+Castle&fr=fpc-comodo

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?propid=pl_100

http://www.scottish-at-heart.com/dumbarton-castle.html

Wedding Day

On Saturday friends and families gathered in Edinburgh to celebrate the wedding of one of our sons, John, to Jordanna.
The wedding mass was celebrated in St. Patrick, just behind the Royal Mile. The tomb of Margaret Sinclair is in this Church.
The priest got it just right with the perfect mix of the joy of the day, and the seriousness of what John and Jordanna were undertaking.
After the mass, photographs were taken in the grounds of the Church, after which we all processed a couple of hundred yards up the Cowgate to party at The Caves.

As both John and Jordanna are in acting circles, there were some well kent faces among the assembled group.
The speeches were short and witty, the food delicious and the entertainment which went on till 2 am was first class.
A wonderful day that both families enjoyed to the full.