Photos and the City

Tag: travel

Hello Bath!

Sunset in Bath

Last week I spend a few days in England, just a bit of relaxation and fun. So, there will be a wee break from the travels through Scotland last summer and a little bit of English winter.

My flight left a very cold and frosty Vienna and actually arrived early in Heathrow, a quite new experience! I continued by bus to Bath and just enjoyed being driven through the lovely landscape – England greeted me with sunshine and blue sky!

The first task of the day was a photo shoot for Natasha who chose Bath as the backdrop for her wintery dream images. And what a backdrop the city provided, such a gorgeous sunset and magical winter light!

Hair and makeup were provided by Louise Jane Makeup Artist.

Dress by Irina Hofer

The Circus

The Circus, Latin for “circular”, is an iconic building in the city of Bath, in Somerset, in England, consisting of three curved segments of Grade I listed townhouses arranged in a circular shape. Originally known as The King’s Circus, this 18th century landmark was designed by architect John Wood, the Elder, although he never lived to see his plans turned into reality as he died less than three months after the first stone was laid in 1754. His son, John Wood the Younger, completed the building in 1768. (Amusingplanet.com)

The first signs of spring were all around, from snowdrops to these little ones.

I´ve already visited Bath once a couple of years ago, but back then I mainly was looking for Jane Austen’s footsteps, so I couldn´t wait to explore the city more in the next day!

12/02/2019
Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle, one of the most important and grandest castles of Scotland. Sitting 80 metres high on an extinct volcano it is surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides it became the strategic military key to the kingdom during the 13th and 14th-century Wars of Independence. And Stirling Castle was the favourite residence of many Stuart monarchs.

Try to be there as early as possible especially during the busy season! I was actually considering just turning around when I saw the masses of people! But as I had free entry with the “Explorer Pass” and turning around wasn´t possible I just waited for a free parking spot and went inside.

Stirling Castle was first mentioned around 1110, and many royal dramas unfolded here. Until the Union of the Crowns in 1603, almost every Scottish monarch had either lived in the castle, or been crowned or died here. (Historic Scotland)

In 1543 Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned at Stirling Castle, like many Stuarts were.

Most of the principal buildings of the castle date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. A few structures of the fourteenth century remain, while the outer defences fronting the town date from the early eighteenth century. (Scotlandinfo.eu)

Royal Palace on the left and the Great Hall on the right – a bird flying above! The Royal Palace was the first Renaissance palace in the British Isles, built by James V. The Great Hall is the largest medieval banqueting hall ever built in Scotland.

It is possible to walk around the walls and the view is breathtaking to all sides.

King´s Knot

The King’s Knot is on the grounds of the ancient King’s Park, Crown property from at least the 1100s, where Scotland’s royalty partook in jousting, hawking and hunting. (Historic Scotland)

The King´s and Queen’s knot were part of the formal garden, remodelled in1633 for Charles I coronation and extensively renovated on order of Queen Victoria.

I left the car at the car park and walked a little bit around the area looking for Argyll´s Lodging which was closed for renovations. It´s a Renaissance Townhouse which must be pretty amazing inside, the outside isn´t that bad either.

Mar´s Wark

While walking around I also came across Mar´s Wark an impressive townhouse from the 16th century.

Mar was governor of Edinburgh Castle during the regency of Mary of Guise, from 1554 to 1560. He turned against her daughter, Mary Queen of Scots, after the murder of her second husband Lord Darnley in 1567.

He lost his governorship in Edinburgh, but became hereditary keeper of Stirling Castle – a position his ancestors had occasionally held since the reign of King Robert I. Mar was given custody of Mary’s infant son, James VI, after the assassination of Mary’s brother, Regent Moray, in 1571. (Historic Scotland)

29/01/2019
Doune Castle

Movies

Doune Castle looks very familiar to many, it´s been used for movies and tv-shows for many years. From “Ivanhoe” (Liz Taylor 1952 & BBC Adaption 1996) to “Monty Python & the Holy Grail”, “Game of Thrones” and more recently “Outlander”.

History

Doune Castle was built at the end of the 1300s for Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany. The exact date of construction is not known and it is believed that the end result is not exactly what was originally planned. But the combination of buildings that emerged met all the military and domestic requirements of a royal castle. (Undiscovered Scotland)

It was probably (partly) destroyed in the Scottish Wars of Independence and rebuilt in the 14th century and hasn´t changed much since then. In 1425 the castle was passed to the crown and used as a royal hunting lodge (Mary Queen of Scots stayed several times in the suite of rooms above the kitchen) and dower house until it became the property of the Earls of Moray in the late 16th century.

Restoration was undertaken in 1883 and further repairs were made in 1970. In 1984, the 20th Earl of Moray placed the castle in the care of the nation. (Undiscovered Scotland)

Upper Hall

Lord´s Hall

The Great Hall

Fests and banquets were celebrated in this vast room, just have a look at this huge hearth on one side of the room.

Even so there many other visitors I wouldn´t have wanted to miss this place, Doune Castle really gives you an impression about life in these castles and you almost can feel the big banquets and parties happening.

24/01/2019