I,m back and not just from holiday. On returning from holiday we desided to move house. Hence the delay in posting the following.I put all my energy and time into the move and Needless to say I am still trying to move as we needed work done to the old house and electricians and plasterers etc are like hens teeth. I also have been having problems with porn spam to my web address so it has taken me a while to resolve that problem. I have created a new site which will be online very soon. I tryed to get it ready before posting details of my holiday but it was not possible so I have give up trying to do a big spash launch. It,s good to be back. I have missed reading all the posts and getting to know all the new members.
'The Report'
It’s all over now; we are home from Our Family Holiday in Scotland. Three wonderful weeks in the city, by the sea and in the lowland and the highlands and apart from a few days, kilted in my latest purchase a Kinloch Anderson Breachan. Our first week was spent just outside Edinburgh. The advantage of having a caravan is the pleasure of living in the countryside and housing four of us plus the dog for £15.00 a night. Edinburgh is now an expensive city to stay in or even visit but I suppose major cities any where are always only after your money. I had the pleasure of visiting the Kinloch Anderson Shop in Leith, which is the old port side of Edinburgh. The girl serving me was charming and knowledgeable. I wanted a Kinloch Anderson tartan as it’s muted in colour and would be perfect for hiking and general wear and it has proved to be.
The fun part was getting one to fit and of course my size was missing. However the assistant cast her eye about and went straight over to a mannequin wearing a breachan and not only was it the right size but also finished to the correct length for me. I must say the mannequin looked rather odd in only a pullover and a pair of kilt hose and shoes. Even Scottish mannequins wear kilts regimental. I also bought a kilt belt and a buckle and a black leather sporran strap to wear with David’s sporran. Needless to say I wore the kilt out of the shop and for the rest of the holiday. I now had 3 kilts to choose from on my holidays. Heading back to the caravan we passed an elderly gentleman on a bicycle wearing the full kit and I suspect that was wearing it as daily wear. He just looked so relaxed and un-self-conscious .As the weather was really warm I wore the Breachan daily and my MacLaren when I visited the clan rallying point at Balquidder. My TFCK stayed in the caravan, as it was just too warm to wear it.
The visit to Balquidder was a special time especially standing on top of the rocky outcrop known as CREAG AN TURIC (this is also the Clan motto) I felt really proud to wear the colours and to be honest I don’t think anyone there understood the significance of the tartan. Once again I was asked to pose for a photo. I find it rather fun to think I am going to be in someone’s holiday album. Generations in the future will look at the picture and ask who’s that. They may even think I one of the family from way back and start looking for Scots connections. Maybe a brave man in the family will start wearing a kilt! (I think I’m getting carried away!!!!!)
I did some mountain and track walks in and around Glencoe. I looked for the hidden valley but could not find it. I was on the wrong side of one of the 3 sisters! The saving grace of that day out was having the joy of skinny-dipping in a stream over looking the Glen, a moment to treasure. The kilt made it all possible as I stepped out of it in to the stream and then into it after the swim and there was no need to dry off as a couple of minutes of walking and the air currents did all the work. The walk along the Old Military Road from Glencoe via the Devils Staircase to Kinlochleven was easier that I thought it would be. I met a young man wearing a kilt coming down the staircase. As he got closer I noticed that the kilt was one made for tourists, rugby fans and pub crawlers NO offence intended for any one out there who falls into those categories. It describes me pretty well as well, but all power to him I hope he moves onto better things.
Open moorland in this case Rannock Moor is one of the most wonderful places to walk. The big skies, the sound of the lark and brush of the kilt on the back of my legs is just sublime. I only wish that I had more time and a greater level if fitness to do more.
For all of you who are interested in ‘wee beasties’ I can report that the scourge of the highlands the Midge (female of the species) is as bad as the tales tell. Mind you when out in the open I had little problem. It was in the evening round the campsites that I was forced to retreat to the caravan and even wear trousers. Real highlanders no doubt would grin and bear it. I’m just a townie so I gave in.
Down by the shores of Lough Lomond at Luss among the tourists and the fine views and the smell of two stroke drifting across the water from the jet skis. I found my paradise. Sitting on the sandy shore the sun going down a glass of amber in my hand and warmth in my throat. I was happy. I wanted and needed nothing more. I had been home. To the land of my dreams and it was good. I will be back!