ROMANCE AND HUMOUR WERE IN HER VISIT TO EDINBURGH CASTLE

Radio Record, 9 December 1938, Page 39

ROMANCE AND HUMOUR WERE IN HER VISIT TO EDINBURGH CASTLE

E CAME out of the Seottish National War Memorial feeling a little dazed and mentally exhaused after what "was really a memorable experience. . The ‘‘atmosphere’’? of the Shrine and of the Hall of Honour, and the reverent yet eager interest of the closepacked queue of people, of which we had been a part, had worked us up to a high emotional tension. So that It was both a shock and a relief to hear one of the Scottish gentlemen who were giving us this great experience, murmur. urgently to his companion, "Frankie, | maun ha’e ma teal" 7 I felt at once that he had struck the right note, but braced myself to wait until we got down from the Castle Hill into the City. However, tea was much nearer than I supposed; for modern pilgrims to the War Memorial can now have ‘tea in the Castle, just as in the days of long ago the pilgrims who thronged the highways to make their vows. at Holy Shrines were welcomed and fed in the halls of the nobles! in Harmony VOU might think that this tea- "- yoom would strike a. jarring note, dnd seem quite out of place in so dignified a spot as Edinburgh Castle; but it is all: arranged so harmoniously that one does not get any sense of commercialism-but rather _one of hospitality, -_ True, you pay for your tea; but fit is a great thrill to seek rest and refreshment in the dining hall of kings, which is actually what this Jarge room was formerly used for. As a matter of fact, it was at the express request of the Scottish Office of Works, and under thelr supervision, that an Edinburgh catering firm opened the tearoom; and, indeed, this firm . as Jealous of the dignity of the Castle as any other Scotsman, and takes care that everything is conducted in a_ fitting manner. In only one other building of sintilar interest during our travels, did we find a place of refreshment established, and that was in the ancient House of Blackfriars, in Canterbury. Only 2 small placard indicates the: tea-room, which was originally the "Laigh Dyning Roume" of the royal apartments. It is in the square in which the War Memorial stands. The palace dates from the fifteenth century, and the fair and fascinating Mary Queen of Scots resided there for a time. The upper rooms were rebuilt in 1617 for the "hame-coming" of James VI. Quiet Charm THE first impression one gets on entering the tea-room is one of restful, quiet charm. The

walls are of softly mellowed stone, and very high; and they are decorated with aneient armour and weapons; so that, although those old knights who once dined here are long-since dust, their memories are kept ereen by these signs of their ealling. Over the wide Gothic fireplace nangs a six -enth century helmet and breastplate, which probably saw service in many 4 stout battle, and rapiers, which» suggest court life with its wit and grace and laughter. Ranged close by are 2 number of halberds and spears-relics of those dauntless Scottish spearmen who for so many centuries held

a the various Border castles against raiders. _ The windows are deep set, and barred, and from them you can look out to a. beautiful peep, far below, of "Auld Rookie. mes Simplicity THE. appointments are quite simple-lots of little tables with elean, white tablecloths bordered with green; and small wooden chairs; vases of flowers, to give a touch of. sweetness; and a good sensible Scottish tea, with fresh butter and oat eak as, shiny and tempting buns, and alluring iced cakes. I think you could have eggs and cold meat and salads, if you wanted something more substantial. The tea, too, was excellent, made in a large earthenware teapot! Seldom have I needed a cup of tea more than I did that day. On one side, a doorway opened into a smaller room, known as the "withdrawing room," in which was another huge Gothic fireplace; and this room communicates with the Royal apartment which Mary

Queen of Scots occupied, and in which her son was born. You’d be surprised at the thrill one gets when one stands on these spots of which one has read £0 often. It really seems so wonder-ful-and, strangely enough, familiar. Another room, next to the tearoom, was formerly the King’s Kitchen, and in it you see the arch of brick over the remains of one of the immense fireplaces, where an ox could be roasted whole. Another quaint relic Is the doorway leading to the "Lyon’s Den" wherein James VI kept a tame lion. What a curious pet for a timorous man-unless he kept it as a protection! Then we were shown a Staircase leading down to a series of stone

ore = vaults below, in which the Scottish Regalia was housed for safety during the Great War. Crown Jewels OU pay an extra threepence (or sixpence) to go into the ‘‘Crown Room’? where these royal ornaments are kept. It is at the top of a short steep flight of steps; and is under the care of a tall and handsome Scot in uniform; who for a tip will reel off a fine description of the various jewels. _- This guard so fascinated me that I managed to extricate myself from the usual queue which was kept moving round the room, and to plant myself in a little nook at his side. . { had thought myself unnoticed till, in the midst of his harangue, "Here you have the Sword of State and Belt presented to King James IV in 1507 (keep passing along, please!), The sword is over 4 feet 6 Inches long, and on the top of the blade are etched the figures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (Put that in your little book!)," he said

suddenly, turning round = and smiling at me. fT felt a little confused, but we soon became friends, and he let me stay by him till he had finished. We were amused, however, to hear a woman say scathingly: "These American tourists with their twopenny notebooks!" Old Regalia THe Scottish Crown Jewels are not very numerous, but they are very beautiful, and much older than our own regalia; moreover, they have passed through great adventures, which give them a very romantic atmosphere.

For over a century they lay locked in the great oak chest, in the Crown Room, unknown to anybody; and it was feared that they had been removed to England . surreptitiously, ‘thus breaking the provisions of the Treaty of Union, under which they were never to leave Scot‘land. However, permission was obtained from King George IV., in 1817 (mainly through the influence of Sir Walter Seott) that this oak chest might be opened. No keys could be found, so the chest had to he forced open, and the rejoicing of the people of Scotland was sincere and universal when the Regalia was discovered safe and sound in the chest, covered with linen cloths, just as it had been left in 1707. England has often tried to get possession of the Scottish Royal Jewels, and the story is told of how Mrs. Granger and Mrs. Ogilvy smuggled them out of Dunottar Castle, where they had been

placed in charge of the Ogilvies, and which was besieged by the English. ; Mrs, Granger was the minister’s wife; and the two bonny Scotswomen passed on horseback through the English lines, with the Crown concealed in Mrs. Granger’s lap, while the Sword and Sceptre were inside a bundle of flax cars ried by Mrs. Ogilvy. Fascination you may think beforehand, that you wouldn’t be interested in old historical objects, but as a matter of fact, when you really visit these old Scottish and English castles and cottages, and abbeys and. palaces, even the most matter~ of-fact and. modern person becomes fascinated almost against his will. Perhaps the ghosts of the departed men and women are hovering around, greeting and fraternising with our own spirits without our knowing it! h

AUNT DAISY’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE. | TO "RECORD" READERS. Aunt Daisy wishes all the links in the "Record’s" Daisy Chain a very happy Christmas and a prosperous and useful New Year, unclouded by any anxieties, illhealth, or misunderstanding. . May we continue, she says, te share both our joys and our sorrows-for by sharing, we spread the joy and ease the sorrow. , May our skill in cooking increase a thousandfold, so that we may creep closer | into the hearts of our menfolk; for the poet spoke truly when he said:- . Man may live without books-what is knowledge but grieving ? He may live without hope-what is hope but decewing ? He may live without Love-what is passion but pining? But where is the man who can LIVE WITHOUT DINING? Here, then, is wishing everyone-young and old-much joy and happiness on this, my first Christmas with the "Record." oe