Trip to Scotland ... Part 1

[Tartan Hiker]

After three splendid days in Edinburgh (cool and overcast throughout, but no real heavy rain), we picked up the hire car and headed to Aberdeen to visit friends of my wife. Spent that night in Inverness. Next day we headed south into the Great Glen.
On the shores of Lock Ness lies Urquhart Castle. Another fabulous museum and then a walking tour of the castle ruins. Poured down rain for most of our time there, then the sun broke out for about 15 minutes..which was the only time we actually saw the sun all week!



Wife and eldest son (MadBagpiper on X-Marks) in Urquhart squinting into the sun.



A few miles down the road and we came to Loch Lochy and this wonderful ruin...Old Inverlochy Castle. More rain, but well worth the soaking.



This one's for you Riverkilt! That afternoon we came to the village of Glencoe, site of the infamous Glencoe Massacre. Here I am in the rain at the monument erected to the memory of the members of Clan MacDonald who were killed in that tragic event. There is also a visitor's center nearby with excellent presentations on the local geology, flora, fauna, and the events surrounding the massacre.



A pic of the whole monument.



Near dark (local sunset was at 3:40 PM) we arrived at the Castle Invergarry, home of the MacDonells of Glengarry. My great-grandfather emigrated from that region and our surname is listed as one of the septs of the MacDonells, so we feel a special kinship with this place. The castle is obviously undergoing repairs and stabilization so that it can be opened to the public.
Go here http://www.invergarrycastle.co.uk/ for a history of the castle.



We stayed at a lovely B&B near Invergarry that night, but drove over to the village of Fort Augustus for dinner at this wonderful pub.



Back to Edinburgh the next day, which was New Year's Eve. We were all ready for the big Hogmanay party, but the weather definitely had other plans! The party was cancelled just before it started at 9 PM. Winds were 60-70 MPH, and were definitely higher along some streets due to funneling. Rain was essentially horizontal and coming in regular waves. Here I am trying to remain upright.
We finally had had enough of this, and, having no hotel room to escape to, caught the bus to the airport. We got our suitcases repacked, changed into dry clothes, and settled in for the night. At midnight we broke out a wee bottle of Ise of Jura I had stashed in my sporran to toast the new year.
Despite the dark weather we had a wonderful time. The country is even more beautiful than I had imagined, the presence of deep history is palpabe everywhere you go, and the citizens are proud and delightful. We are looking forward to our next visit....we will return.



Happy New Year!