:: Wednesday, August 01, 2007 ::

On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond

Scotland, Day 4: From Kilmartin Glen to Loch Lomond

We began in Kilmartin Glen in Argyll, site of many remnants of Scottish Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures, including standing stones, burial cairns, stone circles, and Dunadd, a Bronze Age hill fort.

The Standing Stones (and sheep) of Kilmartin Glen

Nether Largie South cairn, Kilmartin Glen

One of the stone circles of Temple Wood, Kilmartin Glen

Climbing up to Dunadd hill fort, capital of the ancient kingdom of Dalriada

Me on top of Dunadd (with teeny cows behind me), looking out over the Moine Mhor (Great Moss) towards the ocean in the distance

After Kilmartin and Dunadd, we drove through Glen Croe and the Arrochar Alps, stopping for a wee break at Rest and Be Thankful, a viewpoint so named because the climb out of Glen Croe was so long and steep that it was traditional to rest at the top, and be thankful that you had reached the highest point.

Rest and Be Thankful

Eventually, we reached Firkin Point, on the famous shores of Loch Lomond, but no swimming this time. (Loch Ness was enough for me!)

Loch Lomond

Ben Lomond, as seen from Firkin Point, Loch Lomond

Me and my true love on the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond

After that, we dropped off about half our group, and the five of us who had signed on for the full 6 Day Monster Castle Tour headed for our accommodation for the next 2 nights: Plane Castle, near Stirling.

Plane Castle

The kitchen at Plane Castle, with (going clockwise around the table) Scott (our guide), Holly and Mel from Canada, Polka dot, and Jess from Australia

:: posted by Rob 6:30 PM [+] :: 0 comments
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Down thro' the glen

I'm heading back to the US of A at the end of this week (visiting friends and family and attending my friend E's beach wedding), so I thought I should try to catch up on pics from Scotland before I go.

So to continue, Scotland, Day 3: Glen Coe

Another early morning at Strome Ferry, Loch Carron

We left Strome Ferry and the Stationmaster's House for the last time to head back into the Highlands. After a brief stop in Kintail, we drove through the Great Glen towards Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles.

Kintail

Ben Nevis, most of which is not visible, as 9 days out of 10 the top is hidden by clouds

The Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, near Ben Nevis and Fort William

Then it was on to an amazing hike in Glen Coe, site of the infamous massacre of the MacDonalds at the hands of the Campbells in 1692.

Glaciers in Glen Coe

Glen Coe

Hiking through the Hidden Glen, Glen Coe

Polka dot in Glen Coe

Waterfall in Glen Coe

Leaving Glen Coe

After a brief stop at St. Conan's Kirk on Loch Awe in Argyll, we ended up in Oban, the Gateway to the Isles, to spend the night.

The architectural mish-mash of St. Conan's Kirk, built by an amateur architect and said to include examples of every kind of ecclesiastical architecture found in Scotland

The view from McCaig's Tower in Oban, looking across to the Isle of Mull

:: posted by Rob 12:07 PM [+] :: 1 comments
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High as the spirits

If I ever get a free moment, I swear I'll post more pics of Scotland (and of Cesky Raj, the Czech Paradise). But since I don't have more than a moment, I'll leave you with this:

Czech beer and a Scottish kilt - it doesn't get any better than that!

:: posted by Rob 5:48 PM [+] :: 1 comments
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Brave are the hearts that beat

Sorry, been a bit busy lately and haven't been able to update with more travelogue. Hopefully I'll get to it in the next day or two. But to tide you over, I give you three different views of William Wallace. Enjoy!

The "Arthurian" William Wallace on the Wallace Monument in Stirling

The knightly Sir William "Paragon of Chivalry" Wallace at Edinburgh Castle

The "Gibsonian" William Wallace, aka "Braveheart", also at the Wallace Monument in Stirling

(notice the inscription "Freedom" on the statue's base, and the black cage behind the statue which is unfolded to lock up the statue at night for its "protection"...)

:: posted by Rob 6:50 PM [+] :: 0 comments
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Breaking News

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Soctland travelogue for this special resport:

:: posted by Rob 8:15 AM [+] :: 2 comments
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Out by the purple islands

Scotland, Day 2: The Isle of Skye

Early morning on Loch Carron

We left Strome Ferry for Kyle of Lochalsh and crossed the Skye Bridge to the Isle of Skye. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. Also known as the "Winged Isle" or the "Misty Isle", it was by far one of the most beautiful places we visited. We drove and walked around it all day on single-track roads, dodging sheep and their droppings, looking out over Kilt Rock, visiting the ruins of Duntulm Castle, and touring the Faerie Glen and Faerie Castle (said to be the "Manhattan" of faeries in Scotland). We ended the day at the Edinbane Hotel, where we dried out and warmed up with a few pints and listened to some local music and musicians, including Farquhar MacDonald. We're planning on moving to Scotland in the near future, and both Polka dot and I want to eventually end up on the Isle of Skye. It really is just that amazing.

Stream on Skye where we drank the waters for long life and health

Harvested peat set out to "dry"

Kilt Rock

Duntulm Castle and Tulm Island

Highland sheep

Faerie Glen

The Faerie Castle

Path to Faerie Castle

Me and Polka dot standing atop the Faerie Castle

Looking down from the Faerie Castle

Small loch in the Faerie Glen

:: posted by Rob 1:39 PM [+] :: 2 comments
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High in the misty Highlands

I was well enough to go into work today to do an interview, so I guess I'm well enough to begin recounting our recent adventures in Scotland. So without further ado, I give you:

Scotland, Day 1: From the Firth of Forth to Stromeferry (No ferry)

Leaving Edinburgh, we crossed the Firth of Forth, past that marvel of Victorian engineering, the Forth rail bridge and into the Hghlands of Scotland. After a brief stop and walk in the Hermitage we continued on to Killiecrankie and from there to Culloden Battlefield, site of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Last Stand, that marked the end of the Jacobite Uprisings.

Forth Rail Bridge

Black Linn Falls in the Hermitage

Memorial cairn at Culloden Battlefield

"Mixed Clans" mass grave marker at Culloden

From Culloden it was on to the famous (or infamous) Loch Ness, where I took a short swim in water that was about 5 degrees Celsius! Only 3 of us out of 12 were brave enough to make the attempt, and the 2 Aussies who joined me only decided to go at the last minute, I guess so the American wouldn't get all the glory. I only made it about 3 or 4 strokes out before my body started to lock up, and the swim back to shore seemed to take forever! Fortunately, I made it back to shore relatively unharmed. "The Beast" (as the locals call Nessie) didn't attack (but I didn't spot her either), but I did bang my foot pretty bad on some rocks. I was so cold that I didn't notice it until a few hours later when a throbbing painn alerted me to my black-and-blue toe, and so I was forced to limp about for the next couple of days. But the swim was surprisingly refreshing and invigorating - I can definitely understand why those old "polar bear" guys jump into icy water for a swim every winter.

Loch Ness

Me (on the left), Mark, and Chris swimming in Loch Ness

So after the swim it was back on the road with a stop at Eilean Donan castle, which many of you might recognize from Highlander, among other movies. Finally, we arrived at scenic Strome Ferry (No Ferry) on the shores of Loch Carron, so-called because there used to be a ferry to the Isle of Skye there, but since the building of the Skye Bridge, no longer. We stayed in the old Stationmaster's House, and even joined the locals for a bit of a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) at the Achmore Gathering!

Polka dot and me at Eilean Donan Castle

Loch Duich, taken from Eilean Donan

The Highlands of Scotland

Stationmaster's House, Strome Ferry

Some views of Loch Carron

Polka dot at Strome Ferry

The Achmore Gathering

:: posted by Rob 1:07 PM [+] :: 0 comments
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