Kilted fortnight holiday in scotland & france

[Mael Coluim]

The kitchen is separate from the castle.


The courtyard.

[Mael Coluim]

As interesting as the tour of the Castle was I knew there was more to see. So dear XMarkers you are to see areas of the Castle Duntrune not seen by the Malcolm MacCallum Clan this day. This is the Great Room of the Chief! I had the privilege to visit Chief Robin with my friend Donald McCallum on the 2003 St. Columba Voyage.

Donald and I with the Chief


The portrait behind us is of the same Chief whom I believe is Neill Malcolm XIII of Poltalloch. His ascot in the potrait is a Malcolm tartan




The Chief gave us each a wee bottle of whisky for a nightcap when we returned to our lodgings on Easdale Island.



On the last two photos above you will notice the potraits shown on an early post in this thread which evidently were moved, probably for our tour.

This is a photo taken by Chris of the Chief and me in the kitchen.



The day is not over, Dinner at Ardifuir is to come.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Ern,

What an exciting day this must have been !

I love those views from the windows. Simply breathtaking.


Best,

Robert

[kiltimabar]

Did he not mention the ghost piper of Duntrune? One of my favorite ghost stories.

[Standard]

I think I could wake up to this view each morning and be very pleased.

[Mael Coluim]

After the tour of Duntrune, our group went to St. Columba’s Chapel. There was a service that centered on our name sake St. Columba by the Vicar of the Church. We then had our Annual General Meeting.

I am so glad that Chris suggested touring this lovely church before the AGM. There was a huge thunderstorm that broke as we finished the meeting. It was also time to head for the Clan Dinner at Ardifuir. I notice a few of my kinsman did a quick 5 minute tour of the inside of the church.

Ardifuir is a lodge operated by Andy Malcolm, Chief Robin’s son. He is a gracious host, excellent chef and outstanding musician.

Road to Ardifuir

[Mael Coluim]

Ardifuir





No, that is not a sculpture of the Paps of Jura! A collapsed gazebo used for the prior day’s dinner.

Here’s a close up of the standing stone in front of Ardifuir.




A close up of the top of standing stone.




In the rear of Ardifuir is a circle of standing stones.

[Mael Coluim]

I invited to join us a friend made on my 2004 trip to Scotland, Heulwen from the Kintyre. That ‘pilgrimage’ was called In the Steps of St. Columba. A group of 7 of us, all Scots but me started on Iona and journeyed on the Great Glen Way to King Brude’s fort outside Inverness. A fantastic tour that was documented by Allison Wilke of Albavision.



It was a great dinner with excellent food and short speeches. I’m not sure want the meat dish was but it was quite tasty. Maybe its good I don’t know what it was.

We had wonderful entertainment from this trio from Jura. A night to remember.






This was one jam packed day! Chris keep us going strong never missing a beat. I was indeed fortunate to have this XMarker friend give his time for this. He not only showed me around but was very knowledgeable of the area. I had another whole day left to spend with Redshanks, so don’t go away!


PS This is my 3000 post on XMarks. Time to go have a single malt.

[BoldHighlander]

PS This is my 3000 post on XMarks. Time to go have a single malt.

And what a wonderful lead up to your 3000 post Mael!
Thanks again for taking us with you on this journey.

p.s. I'll join you in toasting your 3000, & here's to 3000 more to come!
Slàinte!

[Ancienne Alliance]

Congratulations Ern !

And thanks again.


Robert