:: Friday, June 22, 2007 ::

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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Hairy Coos

I know a lot of people (if anyone still reads this rarely-to-never-updated blog) are waiting for info and pics about the Scotland trip, but as I've been laid low with a bit of the ol' bronchitis and pneumonia (a recurring thing for me in Europe, apparently) I have thus far been unable to make such a post and do it justice.

Nevertheless, to whet your appetites until I am able to post with the authority and panache this blog and you deserve, I give you:

HAMISH

the Hairy Coo

Stay tuned, true believers. When I have my health back, full details (and piccies too) will be forthcoming.

If you can't wait, Polka dot has posted a few pics of the Isle of Skye on her photoblog, and there's our new friend Jess's blog as well (with pictures, including of yours truly). Happy viewing.

:: posted by Rob 12:27 PM [+] :: 0 comments
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Land of my heart forever

Since I never post on my blog, I figured this would be as good a time as any to announce my impending (read: today!) trip to Scotland. Yes, my Polka dot and I are heading to my ancestral homeland for 11 fun-filled days of kilts, haggis, babgpipes, and lochs. We're taking a 6-day backpacker tour through the highlands and islands (specifically, the Isle of Skye) with Wild in Scotland, which includes a swim in Loch Ness and two nights' stay in a castle! Then it's three days wandering around Edinburgh on our own. And yes, I will be purchasing a kilt while I'm there!
Needless to say, I'm very excited.

And who knows, when I get back, I may even post a travelogue and pictures and restart this here ol' blog of mine.
Listen to Scotland the Brave, or on the pipes, and sing along with the lyrics.

:: posted by Rob 9:40 AM [+] :: 1 comments
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