North Berwick and Tantallon Castle
The first week of classes went well, and I think all the students are going to enjoy the Gothic Literature. In thinking about where to take them to get some "atmosphere," I ran across Tantallon Castle, a ruined 14th-century castle on the North Sea only about 16 miles from Dalkeith. So, I organized a field trip, and about 40 people signed up! In spite of some rail difficulties (don't ask), we had a great day!
We went to a quaint little tourist village on the North Sea called North Berwick; it had a High Street lined with shops and cafes, reminiscent of similar little towns in Maine. How wonderful to smell salty air! (Okay, a little fishy, too, but the beach was beautiful!). Dennis found some really amazing sea shells and rocks.
Here's Tantallon Castle, looking up at the main tower from inside the courtyard. The castle was built in 1350 and destroyed by Cromwell in 1651. The ruins remain, and they seem a veritable archetype of the ruined medieval seaside castle.
We had a really interesting day, weather-wise: it was cool and cloudy and misty, and the fog rolled in as we were walking around the grounds. By the time we left, we could no longer see the rocks out in the water -- very mysterious and atmospheric!
Another view from the inside of the Castle courtyard; toward the right, you can see the remains of the great hall (above) and the kitchens and bakery (below).
A view from the inner courtyard.
This is a view of the cliffs surrounding three sides of the castle grounds -- very imposing, very amazing!
Looking down into the ruin of the main tower from up on top. When I was standing down below looking up, I could see the sea mist blowing in the top windows. The ruins inside are all moss-covered.
There's a pit prison in the bottom of the castle, with a long slanted window out to the sky -- we could absolutely see the Count of Monte Cristo huddling in the corner or coaxing a pigeon down the air shaft to become his pet.
All in all, it was a great day, and I think we've got a great physical referent for all the Gothic novels and stories we're going to read!
Gin
We went to a quaint little tourist village on the North Sea called North Berwick; it had a High Street lined with shops and cafes, reminiscent of similar little towns in Maine. How wonderful to smell salty air! (Okay, a little fishy, too, but the beach was beautiful!). Dennis found some really amazing sea shells and rocks.
Here's Tantallon Castle, looking up at the main tower from inside the courtyard. The castle was built in 1350 and destroyed by Cromwell in 1651. The ruins remain, and they seem a veritable archetype of the ruined medieval seaside castle.
We had a really interesting day, weather-wise: it was cool and cloudy and misty, and the fog rolled in as we were walking around the grounds. By the time we left, we could no longer see the rocks out in the water -- very mysterious and atmospheric!
Another view from the inside of the Castle courtyard; toward the right, you can see the remains of the great hall (above) and the kitchens and bakery (below).
A view from the inner courtyard.
This is a view of the cliffs surrounding three sides of the castle grounds -- very imposing, very amazing!
Looking down into the ruin of the main tower from up on top. When I was standing down below looking up, I could see the sea mist blowing in the top windows. The ruins inside are all moss-covered.
There's a pit prison in the bottom of the castle, with a long slanted window out to the sky -- we could absolutely see the Count of Monte Cristo huddling in the corner or coaxing a pigeon down the air shaft to become his pet.
All in all, it was a great day, and I think we've got a great physical referent for all the Gothic novels and stories we're going to read!
Gin
posted by Anonymous at
1:19 PM
1 Comments:
Gothic literature, eh? I've never consider digging into it. But I have to tell you, with those surroundings and some time in Scotland, I would be WAY into it. Very cool. Your students are very forturnate, as are you.
Thanks for keeping us posted. I absolutely love the pics and the interesting narrative. Keep it coming!
Fred.
By
Fred, at 3:28 PM
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