Scotland - The WrapUp

Home all safe and sound after a really fabulous trip.  I really can't say that I spent time with all 48 folks who were on the trip, but some of them are really unforgettable for me.  Would travel with them again in a heart beat. 

The entire group at the foot of Edinburgh Castle

So....my final thoughts....it was a fabulous trip.  Covered everything I wanted to see and do.  There were however, some lessons learned.

• For a first time visit, I will always book some kind of tour.  It is such a great way to learn a lot and experience how things work in that country.  Having a tour director like Simone (lady to the far left in the photo) who has been a tour director for over 20 years all over the world, was priceless.  She took such good care of us and really does her homework.  You could ask her anything and she would either know the answer or find it for you.

• Next time, however, I will ask a few more questions.  Some days were really, really long!  Up and out by 7:30 AM and not back in your room until after 10 PM.  On the go all day.  All of us were exhausted.  Also, this trip was a bit too physical for some folks.  We had two guests who were walking with canes.  Tromping up and down hills and over cobblestones was really tough if not impossible for them!

•  When I do another tour, I will seek out a smaller group.  Speaking for myself only, it is hard to be packed in a coach all day with so many folks.  Right off the bat two people came down with colds and soon 5-7 folks had the cold.  No fun.  And, at least for me, it's hard to get acquainted with so many people.  Even over 2 weeks.  

•  Last but not least, I will never again fly through JFK.  OMG...what a nightmare!  There were literally thousands of people trying to get through Customs.  When that horror was over it was a VERY long walk to the gate.  Too big!  Not enough staff to help you.  Nuts Oh!!

I hope to go back some day.  Maybe actually play a round of golf at St. Andrews.  Spend more time in the Orkney Islands to see more.  Do some actual hiking through the highlands.  All of that would be fabulous.  We'll see.  Maybe someday.

Thanks for sharing this adventure with me.  It was fun to know that folks were following along back home.  

Scotland - Day 12 - The Final Touring Day

Today began at Linlithgo Palace.  The building of this magnificent palace, begun by James I in 1425, continued for over a century and it became a favorite royal residence.  James V was born here in 1512 as was his daughter, Mary Queen of Scots in 1542.  Also Bonnie Prince Charlie attempted to rally troops from this location in 1745.

This site also served as Wentworth Prison for Outlander, where Jamie is raped by Black Jack Randall.  The high walls certainly lend the location a suitable air of menace, but the views are beautiful.

The elaboratedly carved King's Fountain, the centerpiece of the palace courtyard, flowed with wine during Charlie's stay; commissioned by James V in 1537 it is the oldest fountain in Britain.

And, this palace too is undergoing renovation to help save it.

(A side note:  Today we learned that if a site is called a Palace, it means the structure was used as a home.  If it is called a Castle, the site was a home and a military fortification.  Didn't know that.)

From Linlithgow Palace we headed to Stirling Castle.  One of my favorite visits of the entire trip.  Just a really magnificant destination.  Hold Stirling and you control Scotland.  This maxim has ensured that a fortress of some kind has existed here since prehistoric times.  Edinburgh Castle and Stirling are similiar; the location, architecture, historical significance and commanding views combine to make it a grand sight.

The current castle dates from the 14th - 16th centuries when it was a residence for the Stuart monarchs. 

Queen Anne's gardens

Its cemetary

Inside courtyard

Chapel

Throne Room

Entrance

A reminder of its military role

The castle is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position.  Its strategic locatoin, guarding what was, until the 1890's, the farthest downstream crossing of River Forth, has made it an important fortification in the region from earlier times.

Our final stop of the entire 2 weeks was at Glasgow Cathedral.  Due to the turn in English/Scottish religious history from Catholic to Protestant worship,  it is surprising that the cathedral suvived the Reformation mobs.  However, most of the current building dates from the 15th century.

As it turned out, on our drive back to our hotel for the evening we had a drive by that left us with a little giggle.  In the middle of the town center is a statute (I forget who now) that is continuously decorated with parking cones.  Typically on the riders head, but today we had a special treat with a cone on his head and the horese's head.  

City Council required that scoffolding be erected at a cost of 800 pounds to remove the cones, and immediately the next day the cones were back in place.  Since that time the cones are left in place.  If by some chance they disappear overnight, the next day they are back in place again.  Ah, they have a sense of humor over here.

Our arrival back at the hotel this afternoon marks the official end of the trip.  I will stay in touch tomorrow for my return travel home and then finally, a wrap up of the 2 weeks.  

See you soon!!!

Scotland - Day 11 - And we continue on.....

This AM, as usual, we were up bright and early.  We had a bit of a drive to our first visit for the day, so we had a break along the way at which time we got to see more Highland Cattle.  This was not the first time we have seen them, but it was the first time I could get good photos.

Baby Cow

Mama Cow

Papa Cow

Highland cows were born and bred to deal with the extreme weather conditions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.  They are very hardy but very gentle in nature.  There are still working herds throughout Scotland.  Highland cows have no layer of fat to keep them warm and instead have an extra coat which also maintains weatherproofing.  The coat is shed in spring in preparation for warmer weather.  The long fringe over their face keeps the driving wind and rain out of their eyes in winter and the sun and insects in the summer months.

Our first visit of the day was a Doune Castle which is better known to us Outlander fans as Castle Leoch, home of the Mackenzie Clan.  The castle was only used for outside shots during filming and the inside coutyard actually looks quite different as many details were added for the filming.  This site was also used in some filming of The Game of Thrones.

Doune Castle is a medieval stronghold near the village of Doune.  It is sited on a wooded bend where the Ardock Burn flows into the River Teith.  Recent research has shown that Doune Castle was originally built in the 13th century, then probably damaged in the Scottish Wars.  It was rebuilt in its present form in the 14th century  and has survived relatively unchanged and complete.

Currently there are essential repairs being carried out.  Over time water has crept between the stones and damaged walls.  Skilled members of the Monument Conservation Unit are carrying out repairs to the walls.

We had lunch with the Wood Family at their 15-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard.  We were greeted by the Laird himself along with his faithful sheepherding dog.  We were escorted into a 16th century grainery for lunch (the food was delicious) and entertained by the Laird and his son as we ate.  

The dog

The son

The Laird

Our Entertainment

Their 13th century barn

The view from their front yard

Their home

And that was the end of our touring for today.  We are now in Glasgow and tomorrow is our last day of touring.  This has been a fantastic trip....but I am ready for home!!!

Scotland - Day 10 - The Outlander Holy Grail

This AM started off with a surprise from Simone that was not on our itnerary.  Most of us guessed that it would be the filming location of Claire's first contact with the standing stones....and it was!!!!

Simone had told us earlier in the trip that while the site was real, the standing stones were not.  They were actually styrofoam, which was a bit of a disappointment, but nonetheless, the site is so recognizable that as soon as we pulled up, everyone was thrilled.  It was hard getting photos without others in your way, everyone was so anxious to get their shots!!

From there we headed to Pitlochry for a visit at the Blair Athol Distillery.  The tour was great and of course we had to sample the wares.  I'm not much of a whiskey drinker, but with a few drops of water added, which the tour guide suggested, it wasn't bad.

Ingredients

Mash hopper

Water source - right off the mountain

Final step

Very special was the 50 year old barrel.  Note the date on the barrel below.

Afterward it was lunch time.  The couple that have been sitting in front of me most of this trip, Bob and Ginger from South Carolina, have been a fun couple to share seats with.  On occasion Simone has to ask us for our meal order a day in advance.  Everytime she lists a couple of options and everytime Bob would ask for Pepperoni Pizza, which of course is never one of the options.  Today I found a pizza palor and brought half of my pizza back on the coach with me.  When Bob and Ginger reboarded I asked Bob if he liked what I had for lunch today and showed him the remains of my pepperoni pizza...of course he was in agony.  Everyone howled!!!

Our afternoon tour was of Blair Castle.  It is the seat of the Duke of Atholl, head of the Murray clan.  It's an impressive white castle set beneath forested slopes and above the River Garry.  Thirty rooms were open to us to explore which present a wonderful picture of upper-class Highland life from the 16th century.

The original tower was built in 1269, but the castle underwent significant remodeling in the 18th and 19th centuries.

While the inside was gorgeous, what took my breath away was the forest I was able to wander through.  I have found my heaven.  If we have a say in where we go at the end, I choose this forest....OMG, it was so beautiful.  The photos don't begin to do it justice.

In the AM we leave this fabulous hotel and head on toward Glasgow, our final destination on Friday.