Opening of the Scottish Parliament

[starbkjrus]

Good afternoon all. I've not been around much due to being on vacation but I thought I'd drop in long enough to post some pics we took this morning in Edinburgh.

After breakfast this morning we decided to wander in the direction of Holyrood since there were parades, bands etc planned for the day. Well we got to the Royal Mile and were just about to turn towards Holyrood and I heard a pipe band coming down the hill.



It just so happened they were coming from the Castle as part of the opening ceremonies. If you'll look at the place of honor in the car below you'll see the Crown of Scotland on it's way to Holyrood. (We saw this with the other Honours at the Castle yesterday.)



We thought this was a rather optimistic start to our day.

[McMurdo]

Great shots, thanks for sharing them, I think you are right it was an optimistic start to your day. Hope you are enjoying your holiday to the fullest, Panache and I are holding down the fort, and await your return.

[starbkjrus]

Next we walked down through Cannongate to Queensberry House (part of the Parliament complex) but the police wouldn't let us go any further. We soon saw why - The Royal limo was coming out of the palace gates and headed up our way.

I'm not a photographer by any stretch but if you look halfway between the car and the gate here you'll see a pink dot. That's the Queen's hat and it was attached to her head. We actually got a good view of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh but I missed the photo. (This is as the Queen and the Duke are being ushered into the Queensberry gate. The gates of The Palace of Holyrood House are barely visible at the bottom of the hill with the concentration of red Scots Guards uniforms.)



(Why does the Duke always look so grumpy?)

Afterwards things quieted down so we weren't sure what to do next. (Not wanting to miss any excitement you understand.) There were some folks from the BBC behind us talking on their mobile phones so we listened. Turns out there was to be a parade coming up just after the opening was finished so we just walked down the street a bit to directly across from the gate Her Majesty had entered and waited.

Not long after all the ministers, many with family in tow, came out and walked quite a ways up the street and joined in the parade.

Here are some parade pics:
Don't know who this pipeband is but thery were wearing royal crests.



There were soldiers:


Youth pipe bands:


Vikings:

(I looked for David, Sten and Porrick but they seemed to have sat this raid out.)

The Red Hot Chili Pipers (who gave a concert in the park later.)


As well as lots lots more.

[starbkjrus]

Finally after the parade was over we got one long (fuzzy) shot of Her Majesty and the Duke heading back to the palace.



All in all, not a bad morning's site seeing for a couple of rubes from North America wandering around Scotland.

I'm off now to go through this afternoon's shopping from Hector -Russell

and then I think I'll just pop 'round to the pub for a pint and a dram or two.

[GMan]

Excellent shots Dee! Glad that you were at the right place at the right time!

[Mike1]

(Why does the Duke always look so grumpy?)

Perhaps he just doesn't care to visit North Bri....

What's that you're saying, Panache? "Stick a sock in it!" Stick a sock in what??

Oh.


:ban:

[Arlen]

You're very lucky to have seen it all. And those are great shots!

[Sean_the_Kilted]

Great pics. Thanks for sharing. I hope the rest of your trip goes well

[Panache]

Dee,

How marvelous! You seemed to pick a grand time to visit.

Cheers

Jamie

[porrick]

Thanks for posting, Dee! By trhe looks of it, you and Ron are having a great time