Promontory

I will tell you of the solstice,

If I find you,

at the promontory...

Firth of Tay, from St Andrews Castle, Scotland

T... is for Tantallon Castle!

No theme of Scotland is complete without at least two hundred pages on Castles! And so, as I racked my brains before the challenge began, about which one was going to be my highlight(s), I had to choose Tantallon, probably because I like the lesser known ones :)
This was the first castle I visited and by far, the best. So far I have been to six other ones, and not one of them can compare to the view from this one! They are much better in terms of political/strategic importance, yes, and even how well maintained or imposing they are. But the view, oh the view!
From Wiki, "Tantallon Castle is a semi-ruined mid-14th-century fortress, located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east of North Berwick, in East Lothian, Scotland. It sits atop a promontory opposite the Bass Rock, looking out onto the Firth of Forth. The last medieval curtain wall castle to be constructed in Scotland, Tantallon comprises a single wall blocking off the headland, with the other three sides naturally protected by sea cliffs."
I was there on the last day of last year, watching the last sunset of the year, the sun sinking down beyond and  the Bass Rock in the sea slowly being taken over by shadows of the night. Very poignant place. Must go again.

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This post is part of the ongoing A-to-Z Challenge. Previously, Aye, Berwick, Cramond, Disability, Edinburgh, Forth Bridge, Glasgow, Hamish, Isle of Skye, John o' Groats, Kirk, Loch Lomond and Luss, Mogwai, Necropolis, Old Man of Storr, Portobello, Queen of Scots, Robert Burns, Stirling.

P... is for Portobello!

Portobello is the nearest beach from my place in Edinburgh. It is a medium stretch of mud+sand beach on the North Sea, where families and students throng in scores. The first time I went there was on impulse, V has grown up in Delhi, India and had never ever seen a beach before!
'Outrageous!' I said; 'that's 24 years of unacceptable existence!' and we jumped on a bus and were there in half an hour, on a very cold and windy day. He was very happy, obviously never having seen one before. I, however, was not as impressed... the water was too cold. Gah - I suppose you can't complain of that in Scotland.
Anyway, it's a pretty beach, and it's a nice Sunday afternoon picnic with the kids and dog kind of place...

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This post is part of the ongoing A-to-Z Challenge. Previously, Aye, Berwick, Cramond, Disability, Edinburgh, Forth Bridge, Glasgow, Hamish, Isle of Skye, John o' Groats, Kirk, Loch Lomond and Luss, Mogwai, Necropolis, Old Man of Storr.

F... is for Forth Bridge

This is a strange post. I haven't been to see the Forth bridge, but it's been on my mind. Especially, I can spot it every time from M8 (that links Edinburgh and Glasgow). And funny thing is, I'm going to see it on Monday, I think it looks gorgeous! It goes over the Firth of Forth and links to Fife (you could literally pick out an F word out of those!).
I'm leaving you with a picture of the view of the Firth from Edinburgh Castle, and another of the bridge itself.
Once I'm back on Monday from my three day trip, I will update this post with one of my pictures :)

(Source: Boo Hewerdine's Blog Thing)

Iconic and marvellous, isn't it?
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Update: The Forth Bridge is so magnificent that I have no idea why anyone would rave or keep going on about the Tower Bridge in London. I have been there as well, and it isn’t half as impressive as this! Cantilever bridges are wayyy cooler. Anyway, this massive maroon beast is huge and beautiful. If you can, do go.

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This post is part of the ongoing A-to-Z Challenge. Previously, Aye, Berwick, Cramond, Disability, Edinburgh.