A Busy but Beautiful Day

I was thrilled to learn the day before I left for Scotland that a new exhibit on King James VI was opening on May 3rd at the National Portrait Gallery.  It was an excellent exhibit.  Being a good Protestant, I read the King James Bible from an early age.  His involvement in the North Berwick Witch Trials was the other side of the coin however. His book Demonology jump started the Horrific witch trials  I then taxied to St. Giles Cathedral to see the Thistle Chapel and the Angel with bagpipes.  It is an amazing space and even Henry got out his camera. (Extra #1)  Then it was lunch at the Angels with Bagpipes across from the cathedral.  (Seemed appropriate.  Sculpture in the restaurant, extra #2)   After lunch it was on to the Surgeon’s Hall Museum  of Medical Science.  Edinburgh had a world renowned medical school in the 17-18th century.  Arthur Conan Doyle studied there.  The famous murderers, Burke and Hare, once supplied fresh cadavers for autopsy.  Burke’s death mask and skeleton are in the museum,  The autopsy theater is a focal point.  So was Henry posing on a chair!  (Extra #3)  Our final museum of the day was the Writer’s Museum featuring the work of the “Big three”, Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. (Extra#4). How Henry got up in that window I haven’t a clue!  I tried to ignore him as he entertained people with his enthusiastic rendition of To a Mouse by Burns. I’ve also added (Extra#5) the book I bought and the one I will order once I’m home.  The subject intrigues me.  On the Perthshire tomorrow!