Trip to Scotland ... Part 1

[Tartan Hiker]

I've finally caught up on my sleep and can post up some piccies. Enjoy!



Arrived in Edinburgh airport on Dec. 26th at about 9 AM. After seeing the lads on this sign I couldn't help breaking into a modified Hamish.



First stop...Edinburgh Castle. Here I am having a few words with William Wallace (apologizing for Mel, if you must know).



The family posing with Mons Meg. The earphones are for the audio tour of the castle, which was wonderfully done. There were several museums within the castle walls and each was also beautifully curated. My wife is an archivist / museum display preparer and she was very impressed by every museum we visited.




A couple of familiar names! Saw many wonderful items in these and other shops, but resisted temptation (well, I did pick up some MacDonald flashes and a nifty kilt pin).



Eldest son's first plate of haggis, neeps, and tatties. He was impressed, and ordered it several more times during the week. We even had Haggis Pizza on New Year's Eve.



Day three in Edinburgh...The Palace of Holyrood,, which is at the other end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle. Another splendid tour complete with audio guides, knowledgeable staff, and beautifully curated displays. Couldn't take pictures inside the palace, however.



Dinner that night. Baked Potato shop just off the Royal Mile.

[McMurdo]

Nice pictures, I'm sure you and your entire family will cherish the memory of your trip for some time to come.
Thanks for posting them.

[Dreadbelly]

Mons Meg!

She blew a big old hole in my ancestral home! Seventy pounds of powder to launch a cannonball the weight of a cow. A range of two miles. So afeared of the Black Douglases King James was, that he made the most absurd gun you could imagine.

I'd really love to get an up close look at it some day.

[MacWage]

That brings back A LOT of memories of my one day there back in August of 2000.

Looks like LOTS of fun!

[GMan]

What wonderful shots! Looks like fun!

[Kiltedmusiclover]

Bill,

Looks like a grand time was had by all!

Tell MadBagpiper that Haggis and HP sauce are highly addictive.

[pdcorlis]

Fantastic photos - your family's excitement really comes through - thanks for sharing!

[Tartan Hiker]

After three splendid days in Edinburgh (cool and overcast throughout, but no real heavy rain), we picked up the hire car and headed to Aberdeen to visit friends of my wife. Spent that night in Inverness. Next day we headed south into the Great Glen.
On the shores of Lock Ness lies Urquhart Castle. Another fabulous museum and then a walking tour of the castle ruins. Poured down rain for most of our time there, then the sun broke out for about 15 minutes..which was the only time we actually saw the sun all week!



Wife and eldest son (MadBagpiper on X-Marks) in Urquhart squinting into the sun.



A few miles down the road and we came to Loch Lochy and this wonderful ruin...Old Inverlochy Castle. More rain, but well worth the soaking.



This one's for you Riverkilt! That afternoon we came to the village of Glencoe, site of the infamous Glencoe Massacre. Here I am in the rain at the monument erected to the memory of the members of Clan MacDonald who were killed in that tragic event. There is also a visitor's center nearby with excellent presentations on the local geology, flora, fauna, and the events surrounding the massacre.



A pic of the whole monument.



Near dark (local sunset was at 3:40 PM) we arrived at the Castle Invergarry, home of the MacDonells of Glengarry. My great-grandfather emigrated from that region and our surname is listed as one of the septs of the MacDonells, so we feel a special kinship with this place. The castle is obviously undergoing repairs and stabilization so that it can be opened to the public.
Go here http://www.invergarrycastle.co.uk/ for a history of the castle.



We stayed at a lovely B&B near Invergarry that night, but drove over to the village of Fort Augustus for dinner at this wonderful pub.



Back to Edinburgh the next day, which was New Year's Eve. We were all ready for the big Hogmanay party, but the weather definitely had other plans! The party was cancelled just before it started at 9 PM. Winds were 60-70 MPH, and were definitely higher along some streets due to funneling. Rain was essentially horizontal and coming in regular waves. Here I am trying to remain upright.
We finally had had enough of this, and, having no hotel room to escape to, caught the bus to the airport. We got our suitcases repacked, changed into dry clothes, and settled in for the night. At midnight we broke out a wee bottle of Ise of Jura I had stashed in my sporran to toast the new year.
Despite the dark weather we had a wonderful time. The country is even more beautiful than I had imagined, the presence of deep history is palpabe everywhere you go, and the citizens are proud and delightful. We are looking forward to our next visit....we will return.



Happy New Year!

[Dreadbelly]

Ever look at a picture and feel strangely homesick?

I doubt I could explain this.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks cousin TH,

A sad monument indeed. But thanks.

Not sure why, but seeing the storefronts thought how cool would it be to work in a famous kilt store?

And hey...weren't you supposed to take a special pic for your local pub??

Ron