Another abbey, and some mountain

The weather this weekend was unseasonably uncrappy, so we rented a car and did some sight-seeing. On Saturday we headed to Edinburgh by way of Dunfermline. We toured the ruins of the abbey, hoping to see where Robert the Bruce and some other kings are buried. The abbey was nice in a typical busted-up Scottish ruin sort of way, and the newer church had some pretty great columns- but the area where the kings' tombs are had closed for the season the day before. Sam's disappointment was heartbreaking. We were ok though- after a mediocre lunch of really cheap meat in a pastry casing plus donuts, we got back on the road to Edinburgh.


We spent the afternoon wandering around the Scottish National Gallery, which was pretty good. Surprisingly good, actually, with some pretty great artwork. A lot of the pieces were listed as 'accepted by HM Government in lieu of taxes' which sounds kind of dodgy, but whatever works. There was a painting of a dog which has to hang in the museum forever in exchange for a large donation in 1915 or so, which is maybe a little out of place. After the donor died the museum had to care for his other dog, too, which is kind of whimsical and charming?


On Sunday we headed for the highlands to climb Schiehallion. This mountain kind of dominates its surroundings and is a popular hike, there were probably 80 people or so on it today. It was a great day for it though. A nice steady climb up into the snow with great views. The mountain is more significant than most if you're into the history of science- in 1774 the Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne measured the deflection of a plumb line caused by the mountain's gravity and deduced the mean density of the earth, which is pretty good for 1774, and it was the first mountain to be mapped by contour lines. Academic trivia plus moderately strenuous physical activity- not a bad day.

Pictures are here.