Edinbrugh, the warrior city

"As long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under by English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honors that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself". King Robert de Bruce I

The Portuguese and the Scots have more in common than you might think. First, are both small countries in terms of territory. Are people with souls of warriors, are resilient and fierce in their national identity. Although the Scots are not an independent nation, have always fought, always longed to be a nation. The Scottish history is studded with great heroes who fought for the recognition of Scotland as a country. It is truly fascinating for its historical legacy and its green landscapes. Our journey begins in Edinburgh, a city dominated by its castle with the same name. This monument is a privileged stage of political upheavals and wars that have marked the history of this country. By entering their massive gates we are driven by a stone causeway to the main building, the room of the crown, where we can see the so-called stone of destiny, the seat of sandstone carved with etched legends of how they crowned the kings of Scotland and were we can admire the jewelry of the sovereign. From the battlements that surround the castle we saw the landscape carved gray that dominates the cityscape with no end in sight, Edinburgh extends to the infinite.
Going down the wide and winding streets one of the mandatory stops is the Scottish National Museum. Not for its architectural beauty, but for the magnificent tour thru the history of this country. At the entrance, a phrase dominates our attention, is a quote (at the top to text) of one of the largest Scottish warriors and without him, Robert De Bruce, Scotland would have probably ceased to exist as a nation. Unlike Mel Gibson's movie, Braveheart, which distorts many historical facts, although William Wallace had existed, is not one of the greatest Scottish heroes. Bruce was. After being informed by the guide who accompany us, we go to the room where it deposited the crypt of the Queen Mary, killed by betrayal by the order of Elizabeth I, with some of her personal belongings and one of the most curious is a sphere of silver richly decorated with a long chain that was attached to the queens clothing containing various flowers and plants that were used for perfuming his majesty, guess why? Well, for those who do not know, almost no one bathe at this time and as such it was necessary to perfume the clothes to disguise body odors. URG!
On the next floor, another Scottish warrior. Bonnie Prince Charles, or rather, Eduard Charles Stuart, he owes his nickname to the fact that he was very beautiful. At age 24 he led a revolt to restore the Catholic monarchy in Scotland and England, though he won some battles he was defeated and had to flee imagine, disguised as a woman. The English army at that time offered 1000 pounds to deliver him to the authorities. No one did and so he escaped to France where he died. Legend has it that Bonnie will return one day in a fog to save Scotland. Reminds you of something?