#loch ruthven

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Sunny view at Loch Ruthven in Scotland in May, Grey Silverfish at home last night, view at Milkham in the New Forest on Saturday, phone photos of views at Winchester Cathedral and at the Weirs and periwinkle in Winchester today and Snow Bunting and parasol at Sandy Point, Hayling Island on Sunday.

Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, daisy, hemp agrimony seed heads and privet berries were also nice to see today.

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On 17th June 1567 Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle, on the island in the middle of the loch.

After events at Carberry Hill, she was taken to the Castle by Lords Lindsay and Ruthven, under her half-brother's instructions, Lord Moray.

It was there at Loch Leven that she is said to have miscarried twins fathered by James Hepburn. There are a differing versions of this, the first is that Mary herself allegedly said that she was seven months pregnant in July, which would mean that she was already with Bothwell months before Darnley's murder. The second dispute is over what happened to the children. The most widely accepted theory as narrated by Claude Nau, her secretary who wrote under her authority, is that there were stillborn twins who were buried on the island,

And yet another version, is that Mary gave birth later to a daughter who was smuggled out of Lochleven and sent to France. Mary's French relatives would have sent her to a convent in Soissons where she became a nun. Although improbable, the story is not impossible, I myself think it’s nonsense.

Whatever the truth, Mary did fall very ill on the island, and it was in this weakened and vulnerable state that Moray sent Lords Ruthven, Melville and Lindsay to present her with abdication papers. She was forced to sign them under threat from Lindsay on 24th July 1567, more of that to come.

In the spring of the following year Mary made her escape from the castle, dressed as a servant girl.

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Greetings from Scotland !

The Monadhliath Mountains 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The landscape here is among the most ancient in Britain and is a designated area of conservation. Although the Monadhliath mountains have always been a wilderness, a route through them has existed for hundreds of years and the area is steeped in historical importance.

The Corrieyairack Pass was known to travellers in the 12th century as being a short route through the mountains for anyone heading to the far north.

From the 15th century, a cattle drover's route from the Isle of Skye towards Stirling was in use and James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose had led his men into battle along this way in 1645.

In the Summer of 1731, the English troops under the command of General Wade, completed a gravel and rock road running from the town of Dalwhinnie and the English troop's barracks at Ruthven westwards, crossing the River Spey near Garvamore and over the Corrieyairack pass and down to Fort Augustus at Loch Ness.

According to legend, it was in this area that the last wolf in Scotland was killed in 1743 and that the Jacobite leader, Charles Edward Stuart (aka Bonnie Prince Charlie) passed this way in 1745 with his fledgling army on the way to Edinburgh, England and eventual exile in France.

📸 @james__shooter

#scotland #winterwonderland #snow #winter #snowday #highlands #nature #explore #storm #visitscotland #relaxing #history #snowwhite #snowfall #frozen #frosty #wintertime #deer #wildlife #blizzard #castlesofscotland #Britain #Mountains #Monadhliath #Corrieyairackpass

[nosasblog]

The NOSAS Crannogs Project

The NOSAS Crannogs Project

by Richard Guest Loch Achilty crannog (see Canmore) I have long been fascinated by crannogs.  I remember back in the 80’s tiptoeing across a partly submerged causeway to visit one in a Shetland lochan.  Then, later, visiting the reconstruction in Loch Tay and seeing a TV programme about it.  Later still, whilst on a Nautical Archaeology Society training course I met one of the divers who had…

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Inverness-shire, 2017

[loustravels]

Winter in Scotland & Ireland

Part 6 - Scottish Highlands (Loch Ness) December 2016

Its cruise time! We arrived at the right time of day, I think - the clouds and slowly setting sun made for a gorgeous view on the water.

And time for our first castle of the trip!! Urquhart Castle. There was the option to get off and wander the grounds, but our group was happy to just stay on the boat and look from afar. Alice and I knew we had plenty more castle opportunities ahead of us.

After the cruise, it was time to start making our way back to Glasgow… the long way round! By this time, it was starting to get dark, so wasn’t very conducive to photography!

Through Inverness, past Ruthven Barracks, around Ben MacDuff. We stopped at Pitlochry to warm ourselves up with a coffee. We went home (yes, we went through the Scottish Perth), saw Stirling Castle and the William Wallace monument from afar, before arriving back in Glasgow, the tour ending at the Christmas Market on George Square. If you only have 1 day spare in Glasgow, I would definitely recommend this tour!

…to be continued…

[dansnaturepictures]

Views at Lakenheath Fen in Norfolk in February, from Loch Ruthven in April and Keyhaven, Hampshire in September

[scotianostra]

On the 24th July 1567 Mary, Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate the throne.

In my opinion this was one of the most apalling events in the history of Scotland.

Lords Ruthven and Lindsay visited Mary while she was held prisoner at Loch Leven castle. They threatened her with immediate execution if she did not sign the abdication papers there and then. Mary was initially outraged but she was also frightened and ill having recently miscarried twins, she signed the papers in the hope that they would be annulled at a later date.

What makes this more of avile act is the fact that it took place while the queen was lying in bed after her miscarriage, by her own account ‘in a state of great weakness’ having lost a great deal of blood, and scarcely able to move.

Claude Nau de la Boisseliere, Mary's private secretary, recorded this event in his memoirs, which were translated from French into English as The History of Mary Stewart: From the Murder of Riccio Until Her Flight Into England:

"On the afternoon of the ... day of ... 1567, the Lords Lindsay and Ruthven, accompanied by two notaries and the said Melvil, came into the queen's chamber. She was lying on her bed, in a state of very great weakness, partly by reason of her extreme trouble (partly in consequence of a great flux, the result of a miscarriage of twins, her issue by Bothwell), so that she could move only with great difficulty. With extreme audacity and anger Lindsay gave her to understand of the commission with which he was charged by the nobility, namely, to make her sign certain letters for the resignation of the crown; which he required her to be pleased to read. Although she had already been assured by Melvil, in the name of the nobles mentioned above, that she need make no difficulty, she plainly refused to do so; she could not in conscience (her heart telling her that she was innocent) prejudice her honour by sanctioning such an unjust statement.

At the same time she knew that her life was in great and immediate danger. And of a truth it was the intention of the rebels, if she did not sign these letters, to take her from Lochleven, and as they were crossing the lake to throw her into it, or secretly to convey her to some island in the middle of the sea, there to be kept unknown to the whole world, in close custody for the remainder of her life. Lindsay confirmed this; for, as soon as he saw that her Majesty resolutely refused to sign these letters, he told her to rise from bed, and that he had charge to carry her to a place where he would give a good account of her to the lords of the country. Several times he advised her to sign, for if she did not, she would compel them to cut her throat, however unwilling they might be.

This poor princess, seeing herself thus treated by her own subjects, and being without any of her domestics (for the two femmes-de-chamhre, whom only she had with her, had been turned out), asked where she was to be taken. She demanded very earnestly to be admitted before the estates of the country and the parliament to answer to the points mentioned in these letters. Lindsay replied that he had no instructions on these heads, and could say nothing more. Thus, without any form of legal proceeding or knowledge of the cause, they compelled her Majesty by threats and present violence to sign these instruments, which they caused to be read by the said notaries. When they asked her what she thought of the matter, she answered several times that she did not consent to the contents of these instruments, that she had signed them in direct opposition to her intention and will, and that they had been extorted from her by force and constraint. She protested, therefore, that she would observe and keep them no longer than during her imprisonment, and she frequently asked those who were present to be her witnesses."

Mary signed the deeds, in the hope that they would be found invalid because they were signed under duress, but it was the end of her reign, and her son was crowned a few days later at the Church of the Holy Rude, Stirling.

Nau goes on to write that after Mary had signed the papers "she was taken (with great altercation on both sides) into a great gloomy tower in Lochleven. She was there shut up, within an iron gate, in such a miserable condition, that no poor criminal could be treated worse." He also claims that she was deprived of ink, paper and books, and that attempts were made to poison her.

The pics are various illustrations of the day’s event.

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via Climbing

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via Climbing

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An English Idiot Abroad - Trips in Scotland

Foreword, Leaving Rawdon & the Status

When you are leaving them, I suppose you do not actually appreciate a person or location as much as. This was extremely a measure of the way I felt after choosing to up sticks and take a trip the globe. This was something I had frequently fantasized about, had actually been saving for, but not yet had the spheres to really go ahead and do it. The fact that I had actually been made redundant after seventeen years of taking the very easy alternative of sticking to the status quo was the kick up the arse that was needed. Yet quite scary as well!

I had actually gotten on numerous walks north Leeds last summertime as well as was impressed by exactly how little time it takes to obtain from my front door into the countryside. The River Aire is 15 minutes away and also the Invoicing 10 minutes, where one can get panoramic views of Leeds as well as Ferrybridge power station to the south as well as eastern, and also Ilkley Moor and also surrounding moors to the north and west.

The sundowns here were constantly astonishing. I'm mosting likely to miss living on the side of a hill in Yorkshire - yet the globe awaits!

Hawick & Great Bike Racers

I started my foray right into the stunning country north of the boundary with a browse through to my old companion Chris. He stays in Hawick, which is a handy first quit being put bang in the centre of the Scottish boundaries, and also Chris likes to consume alcohol lots of beer like I do!

Hawick's most renowned boy of years gone by was Jimmie Guthrie. Birthed there in 1897 he began as a send off biker in France during the fantastic war and also joined Hawick Bike Club on returning. They entered him into his very first TT in 1923 and the rest is history, as they claim.

This statuary was put up in his honour in Wilton Lodge Park by the river in Hawick beside the gallery where there is an exhibition featuring a few of his race bikes and prizes. There is a list of his significant success in TT, Northern Island road races and numerous 350 and 500cc GP' s and 6 titles in Europe - nearly 50 wins in all! Unfortunately, he fatally collapsed whilst leading the European GP in Germany at the age of 40. The funeral procession in Hawick stretched for three miles. There are various other memorials to Jimmie Guthrie: the Guthrie Rock at the Sachsenring, where he died, and also one more at the roadside spot, The Cutting, where he retired in his last Senior TT.

An additional great bike racer from Hawick, as well as one closer to my heart, was Steve Hislop. Sadly taken from his household and also all bike auto racing followers in a freak helicopter accident, which has still not been adequately examined in many people's eyes. Steve was one of the fastest superbike bikers worldwide. When he was on the pace and riding leading level machinery he was unequalled.

He won 11 Island of Male TT titles, 3 North West 200s as well as Macau GPs, the Ulster General Practitioner, Le Mans and also Bol D'Or 1 day races and was British 250cc champ and also British Superbike champion twice. In 1989 Steve came to be the initial motorcyclist to top 120 mph with a TT lap at 121.34. This document was beaten 3 years later by WSB champ Carl Fogarty, but he would certainly still just come second to Hislop that was riding a rotary Norton in that race. Foggy's record was to stand for 8 years until ultimately bettered by David Jefferies in 2000.

Steve was really a fantastic guy who I still miss on the racetrack.

A life-sized bronze sculpture stands in the park at Hawick, and also one more the same one has been set up in the Isle of Guy.

Kingussie and also Dunnet Head

My only set destination in Scotland was the furtherest northern point of mainland Britain, Dunnet Head which exists in between John O'Groats and also Thurso. This was simply since I had actually never ever gone better north than the Island of Skye prior to.

I decided it was time to stop when regarding half way to Thurso from Hawick and wound up in a nice little town on the A86 called Kingussie. It is close to Aviemore and for that reason a preferred area to stay for winter months sports fans.

My viewpoint on finding great, reasonably-priced holiday accommodation is fairly easy - find a neighborhood bar that's open, go in and have a pint or a shot of the local mixture (if possible) and also, when you have actually remained in there for a while, try to strike up a conversation with one of the residents or a participant of the bar staff, or property owner, and also ask where you can locate the sort of room you require.

This method has never stopped working for me, it defeats vacationer details as well as also the web pass on. In Kingussie I chose a pint in the Celebrity Resort on the High Road and got talking to a regional client who directed me past the more expensive resorts to The Silverfjord Hotel on Ruthven Road near the railway terminal. As well as the restaurant as well as bar, there is a small public bar at the resort with really friendly citizens where I took pleasure in a number of neighborhood brews. The area was respectable, big, with en suite and TELEVISION for the handsome sum of 27.50 sterling. I actually dined at the Star Hotel as well as the food was exceptional.

The following day was bright as well as great - best for the 200 approximately miles drive I had to the top of the nation. What attractive landscapes it was too. The Cromarty Firth bridge was the highlight of the trip, being over a mile long with quiting areas and also superb sights both inland and also towards the sea and, as you can see (in my blog), the weather can be great in Scotland in December!

The drive to Thurso was quite lengthy as well as, as I'm no early bird anyhow as well as we're talking about a British Winter months where it goes dark in the mid-day, nightfall was coming close to as I drove along the deserted headland to Dunnet Head. The only various other signs of life of any type of kind were the Highland cattle grazing on the moorland.

There is a light home on the cliff there which is some 105 meters above the sea, yet in stormy weather water and stones still sprinkle over the top of these cliffs!

The previous night in Kingussie I had been suggested to remain in Wick as opposed to the a lot more evident choice of Thurso. Utilizing the trusted "Johnny" technique of finding holiday accommodation, I discovered someplace to park near the harbour and after that entered into the nearest club - Sinclairs on The Shore. It was a little on the rough side, however the team were friendly and sent me to a cheap B&B overlooking the sea. Regrettably the location was full but the woman there guided me to one more location simply above. This held true British Bed and Breakfast as it was just an area in someone's house - really felt a little bit unusual truly but I got on a budget and simply intended to get something to eat and drink great deals of beer! I wound up having a "curry as well as a drink" unique at the JD Wetherspoon club on the market square. I do not typically go for chain bar food, however this was really wonderful really (although they are prepared surprisingly swiftly ...). After numerous more beverages I wound up in a bar in the very early hrs where, as nearly almost everywhere in Scotland, I was warmly welcomed as a foreigner. If there was an excellent neighborhood malt and also was provided a massive measure which would certainly have put a Spanish barman to pity, I asked! They would not allow me put water or ice in it however. After a number of these the next thing I bear in mind is getting up in someone's home (my B&B) - hope I really did not make excessive noise when I startled back in!

After requiring the required morning meal down the following day I headed south towards my only various other dealt with destination which was Ballachullish where my Mum had actually invested 2 summertimes in the 1940's when a schoolgirl with my uncle Ken and auntie Maureen, as he was working there as a researcher, I think at a plastics place in Kinlochleven. I also intended to stop elsewhere, probably Loch Lomond en route back to England.As I drove down the north-east shore I determined to stop for a stroll in a location called Skelbo Wood near Durnoch simply off the A9. There is a path which runs dow n to Skelbo Shed with some great old trees in addition to the extra typical young broadleaves planted by the Scottish Forestry Compensation to be their followers. The only wild animals I saw, though, were the sculpted wood pets developed by neighborhood children which are dotted around the course! After following a kind of round course round the woods, I came to a crossroads with no markings. Thinking I knew roughly what direction my car was I made a decision to turn left at the crossroads. This must have been the upside-down as I obtained totally lost and wound up drifting off the track to take a "short cut" with the trees in the instructions I believed the parking lot would certainly be. At some point I concerned a fence, so had to re-trace my actions to go back to the track I had been on. It was rather bad underfoot with large clumps of grass - occasionally with previously fallen trees beneath, so I had to be very careful as damaging my ankle joint "off the beaten track" similar to this can have been extremely dodgy - particularly as I had no signal on my mobile. Kid, was I soothed when I eventually saw my automobile!

Drumnadrochit & Glencoe

After a longer than anticipated walk at Skelbo as well as driving numerous miles heading in the direction of Loch Leven, I determined it would be a great suggestion to stop when I got to Loch Ness. This is the longest as well as (I think) inmost loch in Scotland, so a good location to explore. Whilst driving along the north side of the loch I stumbled upon the town of Drumnadrochit which looked O.K. - in addition to the jokey, Flintstones-like, "Nessie" indicators for monster trips! The huge resorts looked a bit expensive at the road joint in the centre however, and none of the bars there were open mid-afternoon, so I drove around for some time trying to find an open bar. After overlooking a couple of roads I saw a sign by the side of a junction for a sports bar. The excellent old Johnny technique came great once again as I asked the locals at the bar for a resort there, as well as a neighborhood man actually drove in advance of me to reveal me the method to a nearby hotel - and also what a locate it was hidden where you would not really find it on your own. The Benleva Resort was an exceptional location to remain and very affordable at 25 extra pounds sterling for a nice room en collection with a breaking hearty breakfast of complete Scottish or cereals and also, of course, gruel.

Bench stocks outstanding genuine ales from the highlands, usually with a minimum of one Island of Skye mixture which is wonderful stuff. The Benleva was elected the CAMRA Highlands & Islands Club of the Year 2005, for the second time in 3 years. The proprietors began having an annual beer event a couple of years ago and also this is currently the largest in the Highlands, flaunting over 50 barrel conditioned ciders and also ales last year. The following one is 22 to 30 September 2006 and I wish to be there if I remain in the UK then. Bench meals are scrumptious too, varying from conventional Scots fayre to more fancy things. You get a really pleasant welcome from the resort proprietors Allan, Steve as well as James. Brothers Allan as well as Steve are usually behind bench and also James, the chef, producing cooking indulges in the kitchen area. I appreciated my stay below greater than any other hotel I can keep in mind.

Drumnadrochit has some terrific strolls close by and also I ended up on top of the rocky crag where tale says that the viking prince Monie pulled away after a neighboring battle. There are expected to be remains of an iron age fort also, however they need to have been too refined for me! There are 3 'proper' pubs in the village including The Benleva as well as they are collectively known in your area as "The Triangle". The other two are the Smiddy Bar and also the Blarmor Sports Bar. The Sports Bar usually opens up later on as well as has a nightclub at weekends. It was at this nightclub that I satisfied an Australian man called Paul that operates in Edinburgh. He was partying at Loch Ness for a holiday with his companions and we had a right excellent laugh - G'day Mondzy!

I actually saw the Loch Ness Monster whilst driving along the loch one day, however it had actually just returned under the water by the time I could take a photo and also quit - darn it! I appreciated my time here so much that I decided to remain for the rest of my Scottish journey as well as not remain in Ballachullish or at Loch Lomond as I had meant to do. I did drive past the unnoticeable Ben Nevis (concealed in the clouds for 9 days out of 10 right now of year) and also looked where Mum made use of to stay in Ballachullish and also parked up at Kinlochleven to opt for a stroll in the hills. The walk begins on part of the West Highland Way and also rapidly goes up the north side of Loch Leven.

I needed to stop a few times en route up to take care of the old 'ticker' as I had not been really fit - and also look what happened to Robin Chef! After climbing up regarding 2,000 feet I saw 'Am Bodach' up in advance which increases to 1,005 meters. I decided at this moment that the distance I had actually already climbed up was enough! Continue reading about Glencoe in Scotland.

[dansnaturepictures]

09/04/2023-Day 1 of the Scotland trip 

Pictures taken that day in this set are of: 1. A marvelous Mountain Hare, I was amazed to see a few of these. 2. A reflective view at the stunning Loch Garten a place I love so much. 3. A lovely Lapwing we got a close view of from the minibus at Lochindorb. 4. A Red Grouse by Lochindorb, a beautiful star bird of the trip. 5. Lochindorb. 6. Hoof fungus at RSPB Loch Ruthven. 7. View at Loch Ruthven. 8. Slavonian Grebe at Loch Ruthven, it was an honour to see them in their gorgeous summer plumage for the first time, seeing this species I love in this way that I never had before was a true highlight of the Scotland trip. 9. Loch Garden. 10. View near Cromdale. 

Seeing Black Grouse lecking, Crested Tit, a rare Ring-necked Duck at Loch Vaa, Goldeneyes, Goosanders, Red Kite, Buzzard, Goshawk, Lesser Redpoll, Treecreeper, Common Gulls, Oystercatcher, Roe Deer and Brown Hare were other highlights. 

[scotianostra]

May 13th 1568 saw the Battle of Langside.

Mary, Queen of Scots, was finally defeated in her attempt to regain the throne from her son, James VI, and his supporters.

Mary had escaped from Lochleven Castle and quickly amassed an army. She wanted to regain her throne, and she would have to fight to get it back.

The previous July she had been forced to abdicated the throne which passed to her infant son James. Her claim that she had been unlawfully forced to do this was certainly true, Lords Ruthven and Livingstone visited her at Lochleven with their lawyers carrying papers to sign, they forced the sickly queen to listen to the lawyers reading the deeds then placed her fingers around a pen and told her to sign or they'd cut her throat.

You'll recall from my last post about Mary, she escaped from the island on Loch Leven on May 2nd.

11 days later lines were drawn and two armies faced each other at Langside near Glasgow.

The battle was brief, only 45 minutes. After an unsuccessful cavalry charge, Mary`s foot soldiers approached Langside Hill up what is now Battlefield Road, but they were met by gunfire as well as other forces coming down from the site of Pathhead Farm. Between these two wings of Moray`s forces, archers and then the cavalry attacked the oncoming army. About a hundred of Mary`s men were killed and her army fled; Mary turned southwards and headed into England and into the hands of her cousin, Elizabeth I.

The pics are of the memorial to the battle, erected to coincide with the three-hundredth anniversary of her beheading in 1887. It is in the form of a mercat cross.

The lion at the top of the memorial rests his paw on a cannonball and faces Clincart Hill where the forces of Mary, Queen of Scots were positioned. Just below the lion are badges with thistles and lions on them. Next down, the tall ornate column is decorated with a spiral design of thistles, roses and fleur-de-lis.

Below this are eight carvings; each alternate carving has a targe with crossed swords, and the four others have a cannon, a set of bagpipes, a targe with a variety of battle weapons, and an iron helmet with a crossed sword and axe. The four eagles at the corners of the monument`s plinth are preparing to fly. When being built, plans of the monument, a copy of The Abbot by Sir Walter Scott along with newspapers and coins of the day were placed under the structure.

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The Sandy beach of Loch Ruthven. We had no plans this day so headed out in the car to explore. Came upon this RSPB reserve and saw buzzards, Golden eagle, red kite and lots of wonderful waterfowl. . . #nature #scotlandbeauty #scotland #highlands

[dennisasp]

Billeder fra Skotland

New Post has been published on https://dennisasp.dk/billeder-fra-skotland/

Billeder fra Skotland

Da jeg i sommerferien 2017 var i Skotland, var der rigtig mulighed for at få taget nogle gode billeder. Landet i sig selv er utroligt smukt, men det er dog sjældent solen kigger frem.

Klik på billederne for at se dem i fuld skærm, og læse om dem.

Du kan også læse om turen til Skotland.

20 km Vandretur i Kingussie. Vejret på toppen var ret voldsomt

20 km Vandretur i Kingussie. Vejret på toppen var ret voldsomt

Giraf National Museum of Scotland

Jeg ser gammel ud i Kingussie Foto: Cecilie Eske Hansen

En fantastisk vandretur i solskin over sletterne i Kingussie, Skotland

En fantastisk vandretur i solskin over sletterne i Kingussie, Skotland

En fantastisk vandretur i solskin over sletterne i Kingussie, Skotland

En fantastisk vandretur i solskin over sletterne i Kingussie, Skotland

Ruthven Barracks i udkanten af Kingussie, Skotland

Cecilie og en hest, Kingussie, Skotland

Har skudt dette billede både i regnvejr og solskin Dugald Stewart Monument, Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Skotland

Har skudt dette billede både i regnvejr og solskin Dugald Stewart Monument, Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Skotland

Edinburgh Castle, Skotland

Edinburgh er smuk om natten

Queens view i det skotske højland. Fantastisk udsigt

Queens view i det skotske højland.

Eilean Donan Castle i det Nordvestlige Skotland

Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Skotland

Vi leder efter Dinosaurspor på Staffin Beach, Isle of Skye, Skotland

En helt igennem fantastisk vandre tur, i både storm, regn, tåge og solskin. Old Man of Stor, Isle of Skye, Skotland

En helt igennem fantastisk vandre tur, i både storm, regn, tåge og solskin. Old Man of Stor, Isle of Skye, Skotland

En helt igennem fantastisk vandre tur, i både storm, regn, tåge og solskin. Old Man of Stor, Isle of Skye, Skotland

En helt igennem fantastisk vandre tur, i både storm, regn, tåge og solskin. Old Man of Stor, Isle of Skye, Skotland

På vej gennem højlandet til Isle of Skye, Skotland.

Urquhart Castle ud til Loch Ness, Skotland

Loch Ness Monsteret, Nessie, i Loch Ness fra Urquhart Castle, Skotland

Urquhart Castle ud til Loch Ness, Skotland

Urquhart Castle ud til Loch Ness, Skotland. Foto: Cecilie Eske Hansen

Omtrent toppen fra vores vandretur i Kingussie. Det blæste og regnede og sigtbarheden var meget lav.

[cissysblog]

SCOTLAND TRIP HIGHLANDS – 15th & 17 September, 2017. On my first day after I arrived I went to do a three days bus tour with Macbackpackers to discover the North of Scotland. I thought I’d want to do the most exciting thing first. When I was looking where I want to go in Scotland the Isle of Skye quickly got my attention. On all of the pictures the scenery of this island looked incredible. I was looking for a tour that stayed more than one day in Skye but unfortunately I couldn’t find a bus tour like this. At the end I chose to do the Isle of Skye Tour with Macbackpackers. This tour is for people under the 40 and you sleep in a hostel. Next to visiting the Isle of Skye for one day we also spent two days taking a look at the greatest sights and places in the Highlands. Our bus driver Dave showed us his favourite places and at every location he had the best and most funny stories and legends to tell. When he wasn’t telling Scottish stories, he was playing Scottish music for us like for example the Red Hot Chili Pipers which are by the way amazing. I didn’t feel bored for a second and I was lucky to have some lovely people on my bus as well. The first day we drove all the way from Edinburgh through the Highlands to the Isle of Skye. Scotland is divided in the Highlands and the Lowlands. I am sure that the Lowlands are very beautiful as well but tourists tend to prefer the Highlands since the scenery and culture are very unique. We made a short stop at the Ruthven Barracks and then went to take a look at the Clava Cairns. The Clava Cairns are three stone circles with each a big pile of stones in the middle. They are all different and nobody knows why they were built. These Cairns were the inspiration for Craigh na Dun in Outlander. This is probably the moment where I tell you that I am a big Outlander fan and that I would recommend the series to everyone who is interested in Scottish culture and history. Or anyone who enjoys a good TV-show. In the TV-series the main character Claire travels through time through a magical stone circle called Craigh na Dun. This stone circle is fiction and Clava Cairns don’t look the same as in the series but it was still pretty cool to see. Not far from the stone circles is the battlefield of Culloden. In 1746 this was the place where the Jacobite army was defeated by English troops. The Jacobite army was commanded by Charles Edward Stuart and a lot of clans have fought and died during this battle. Nowadays you can take a walk over the field that played an important part in Scottish history. There are several monuments to remember the ones who have lost their lives and there is a little museum as well. After Culloden we went to visit the famous Loch Ness. This popular lake is visited by many tourists every year that hope to get a glimpse of Nessie. Sadly, the monster of Loch Ness didn’t show itself when I was there. I expected Loch Ness to be a big tourist trap but it actually is a wonderful lake to visit even if you don’t believe the myths. The lake is very deep and if you would try to fill the lake with all of the water in England and Wales together it would not be possible. That is how big Loch Ness is. Our last stop of the first day was the iconic Eilean Donan Castle. Scotland is a country of many castles and Eilean Donan Castle is definitely one of the prettiest and it is situated perfectly. We only made a quick photo stop but it is possible to visit this castle all year around. On our third day we went back to Edinburgh through the more Southern part of the Highlands. We walked around Glen Coe which is a beautiful valley with spectacular views. This valley is not far from Ben Nevis, the highest mountain of the UK and filming locations of for example James Bond and Harry Potter. Somewhere along the way we visited Hamish and his two friends. Hamish is a famous Highland cow (or coo like they say in Scotland). You can find them all over Scotland but here you have the opportunity to feed them and see them from close by. During this trip, I felt in love with Highland coos. They fit perfectly to the rough landscapes of the Highlands and they look so fluffy and funny with their long fringe and their big horns. Our last big stop from the tour was Doune Castle. Every Outlander fan will directly recognize this castle because it is used as Castle Leoch in the series. But also Game of Thrones and Monty Python watchers might recognize this castle. It has been used for the location of Winterfell in the first episode of Game of Thrones and in Monty Python and the Holy Grail it has been used several times as a filming location. Even if you are not into movie locations this castle is worth visiting. For only 6 pounds you can visit the castle. You can get an audio guide for free and listen to the voice of Terry Jones (Monty Python) or Sam Heughan (Outlander) telling you all about the castle. A lot of the castle still is in its original state and with the information of the audio guides you will learn a lot of interesting facts about the life in a Scottish castle.