EDINBURGH SCOTLAND Princes Street Gardens - with an elephant, a bear and a fountain….

EDINBURGH, capital of SCOTLAND, the last place you would expect to come face to face with an elephant or a bear! There’s also a huge ornate fountain, a giant monument, and a stunning castle sat on top of a volcano looming above you at all times. Princes Street Gardens were created by draining Edinburgh’s largest loch (lake), the Nor Loch around 1820. Prior to this, in the Middle Ages, it is thought that witch ducking would take place. It was also used as a waste water facility, and a source of fresh water! Today, the gardens form a natural divider between the old town and the new town. The gardens cover 37 acres and are divided into two areas by The Mound, an artificial hill on which the Scottish National Galleries stand. With all this history around us, it’s a very pleasant way to spend 20 minutes wandering the tree lined paths. The elephant is a poignant memorial to babies, the bear commemorates Polish Scottish cooperation from World War 2, while the Ross Fountain came from the Great Exhibition of London of 1851. The huge Scott Monument was completed in 1844, is 200 feet and 6 inches tall, and cost a grand total of £16000!