Josh's First Month in Scotland: Castle, Cathedral and Coast

     I was surprised to find out that there are approximately 2000 castles in Scotland.  No one knows the exact number!  St Andrews has the ruins of a castle and we have visited there.  It was built around 1200 as the bishop's fortified home.  It was the site of several battles including a siege in 1546-7.  During this time both sides dug tunnels under the castle and they are said to be the best remaining tunnels of this kind in Europe.  We walked through these underground mazes and I was surprised that they let us do that.  Some of the tunnels were blocked off because of big puddles.

     The cathedral is just down the coast from the castle.  It also is in ruins, but several large pieces are still intact, so it is easy to get an idea of what it might have looked like.  I was surprised at how big it must have been.  I think it would have been really hard to find the bathroom in such a big building!  Supposedly some of the bones of St. Andrew are under the alter.

     There are two sections of coastal beach in St Andrews.  One is called East Sands and one is called West Sands.  One time when we were on East Sands, I found a sardine on the beach.  I picked it up and carried it a long ways until my mom was grossed out because it was dead.  

     My first month in Scotland has been great!