Castles, Cairns, Craigs & Coos

August - September 2018

Dennis and Myj are taking a Rick Steve's 10 Days in Scotland tour, then staying on to go "over the sea to Skye." Come along on our wee adventures! Read more

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Traveler Castles, Cairns, Craigs & Coos
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- Aug 22, 2018
- ⛅ 63 °F
- Altitude: 115 ft
- Scotland Highland Culloden 57.48772, -4.1420957°29’16” N 4°8’32” W
Day 7
Into the Highlands
August 22, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Our drive today took us into the beautiful, rugged Highlands. The combination of rocky outcroppings, green trees and grass, and patches of purple heather against the bit of blue sky peeking through the clouds was stunning.

The first stop was at Leault Farm to watch shepherd Neal Ross' Border Collies working sheep. His control of several dogs, each doing his own job simultaneously is amazing. We got a chance to help shear a sheep and bottle feed the lambs.

Our afternoon at Culloden battlefield was a somber contrast. The museum has many interactive displays and living history characters. Myj was especially interested, having read the Outlander books, which center around the Jacobite rebellion that led to this battle.

On to Inverness; after checking into our hotel on the bank of the River Ness, we enjoyed some traditional music at Macgregor's Pub. Don, one of our fellow tour members, joined in with the local musicians on his harmonica, which made it extra fun.Read more
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Traveler Castles, Cairns, Craigs & Coos
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- Aug 23, 2018, 9:00am
- ⛅ 54 °F
- Altitude: 92 ft
- Scotland Highland Torness 57.33702, -4.4137957°20’13” N 4°24’50” W
Day 8
Where's Nessie?
August 23, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
Thursday's adventure began with a cruise on Loch Ness to the ruins of Urquhart Castle. Sadly, we didn't spot Nessie, but did enjoy the scenery along the loch.

We had plenty of time to clamber about the castle, which is still impressive despite being in ruins. You can see that it's site on the cliffs of Loch Ness provided protection as well as a great view. Location, location, location!Read more
Traveler Relaxing country!
8/24/18Reply
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Traveler Castles, Cairns, Craigs & Coos
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- Aug 23, 2018, 12:00pm
- ⛅ 52 °F
- Altitude: 131 ft
- Scotland Highland Invergarry Mandally Wood 57.04691, -4.8044357°2’49” N 4°48’16” W
Day 8
Through the Stones at Clava Cairns
August 23, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
Leaving Urquhart Castle, we continued our journey back in time to 2000 BC to the mysterious mounds and standing stones at Clava Cairns. Although archeologists are not sure who built them, they suppose that they were burial chambers for persons of importance. The keyhole-shaped entrance to each of the three cairns is aligned so that the rising sun on either the summer or winter solstice shines directly into the chamber.

There are cairns and standing stones throughout Britain, but these at Clava Cairns were the inspiration for Claire's journey back in time in the first of the Outlander books. Myj did try passing through, but apparently is not a Traveler. Just as well, as it would be terrible to miss the rest of the trip!

Before leaving the site, we enjoyed a Scottish picnic. Our guide Brian produced a generous spread of typical picnic foods of smoked salmon and haddock, Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, cheeses, oatcakes, a selection of ales and wines (the wines were French and Italian - the scarcity of arable soil in Scotland is not conducive for grapes). We tried everything and enjoyed most of it. Dennis liked the haggis flavored chips, but Myj could pass.Read more
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Traveler Castles, Cairns, Craigs & Coos
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- Aug 23, 2018, 2:00pm
- ⛅ 59 °F
- Altitude: 203 ft
- Scotland Highland Cawdor 57.52509, -3.9266557°31’30” N 3°55’36” W
Day 8
Lost in the castle gardens
August 23, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
Our last stop on Thursday before returning to Inverness was at Cawdor Castle, a more "modern" castle (15th century with numerous additions) that is still a home for the Dowager Countess of Cawdor.

The main attraction for Myj were the beautiful gardens. We spent most of our time wandering in the White Garden, Wild Garden, Knot Garden, Walled Garden and maze. We did take a quick run through the castle itself, which reminded Myj of Downton Abbey.Read more
Traveler Full moon over the isles...enjoy it!
8/25/18Reply
Traveler Yes, we are in Oban on the coast. Dennis went outside at 10pm to see the moon. I was sleeping!
8/25/18Reply
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Traveler Castles, Cairns, Craigs & Coos
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- Aug 24, 2018, 9:00am
- ⛅ 41 °F
- Altitude: 3,934 ft
- Scotland Highland Aonach Mòr 56.81682, -4.9602956°49’1” N 4°57’37” W
Day 9
Through the Great Glen
August 24, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 41 °F
Friday morning and we're off across the Highlands on our way to Oban on the West coast of Scotland. Although it was raining for our stop at Aonach Mor' to ride the gondola to 3300 feet for a short hike, guide Brian promised a treat, so we were game. Cold and wet, we nevertheless enjoyed a wee dram of Glayvon liqueur at the top. Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest peak, did not reveal itself from the clouds, but the weather broke just long enough for a view of the glen.

Carrying on, we stopped briefly at Glencoe, a steep valley with hills, creeks and waterfalls all along the glen. Glencoe's history is marked by the betrayal and murder of Clan MacDonald by Clan Campbell. The glen has also been the setting for many movies, from Highlander to Harry Potter.

Arriving in Oban in the afternoon, we were greeted by clear blue skies and a fabulous view of the harbor (or harbour) from our room in Wellpark Guest House, formerly a mansion built for a ship owner. The siting of the house is perfect for watching the ships, ferries and fishing boats coming and going.Read more
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Traveler Castles, Cairns, Craigs & Coos
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- Aug 25, 2018, 10:00am
- ⛅ 54 °F
- Altitude: 30 ft
- Scotland West Dunbartonshire Balloch Fruin Water 56.03854, -4.643856°2’19” N 4°38’38” W
Day 10
A picture postcard day.
August 25, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
Saturday we sailed by ferry to the Isle of Mull, where we were picked up by a local driver/guide Christopher. Mull is one of the largest Hebridean islands, and due to the single track roads, it took an hour to drive across Mull. But Chris kept us well entertained with his droll humor, tales of remote island life, and sightings of wildlife. Then a quick ride on the small ferry to the tiny Isle of Iona. It could not have been a more beautiful day, and Myj took so many pictures they need to be split into two posts. We will remember Scotland as primarily green, but today was brilliant blues, contrasted with the red and orange of the boats and fishing equipment.Read more
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- Aug 25, 2018, 1:00pm
- ☀️ 54 °F
- Altitude: 85 ft
- Scotland Argyll and Bute Iona 56.33473, -6.404156°20’5” N 6°24’15” W
Day 10
Peaceful Iona Abbey
August 25, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F
The tiny island of Iona has been a place of religious significance since 536 AD, when St. Columba traveled from Ireland. It is a peaceful place, with only 150 year-round inhabitants. We had plenty of time to wander around the restored abbey, the remains of the nunnery, and just enjoy the beautiful and serene surroundings.Read more
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Traveler Castles, Cairns, Craigs & Coos
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- Aug 26, 2018, 11:00am
- 🌧 54 °F
- Altitude: 266 ft
- Scotland Stirling 56.12448, -3.9477156°7’28” N 3°56’52” W
Day 11
Unicorns everywhere!
August 26, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ 🌧 54 °F
Sunday already! We left Oban for the drive along the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomand to Stirling. Stirling Castle, royal residence of Scottish kings and queens, including Mary Queen of Scots, was built to rival the sumptuous castles of France in the fifteenth century. The recreations of the 16th century Unicorn Tapestries, and the carved wooden Stirling Heads on the ceiling are amazing.Read more
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Traveler Castles, Cairns, Craigs & Coos
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- Aug 26, 2018, 3:00pm
- ☁️ 52 °F
- Altitude: 30 ft
- Scotland Falkirk Laurieston 56.01034, -3.7602956°0’37” N 3°45’37” W
Day 11
The Magical Kelpies
August 26, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
Leaving the unicorns behind at Stirling, we headed back to Edinburgh on the final leg of our journey with the Rick Steves tour. As a special request "because we were good," guide Brian stopped in Falkirk to view more mythical beasts, The Kelpies. Made of stainless steel, these are the tallest equestrian sculptures in the world. They are very lifelike, being modeled on draft horses that were used to pull the loads along the canals where the Kelpies sit. Enchanting beasts they are!Read more
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Traveler Castles, Cairns, Craigs & Coos
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- Aug 26, 2018, 6:30pm
- ⛅ 52 °F
- Altitude: 262 ft
- Scotland Edinburgh Old Town 55.94809, -3.1925455°56’53” N 3°11’33” W
Day 11
Farewell to our tour buddies
August 26, 2018 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
Sunday evening was our last dinner with our fellow Rick Steves tour travelers. We had a wonderful dinner at The Bonham Hotel, where we started the tour just over a week ago. Our guide Brian started the farewell toasts off with a hilarious "prayer for Rick Steves tourists," and his was followed by many more.

As we thought at the beginning, these are all fun and interesting people. Whether due to the RS "no grumps policy" (really, you have to sign when you book), or just the luck of the draw, there wasn't a single bad apple. As we often had free time or were on our own to explore, we ended up spending time individually (or in couples) with each of the others.Read more
Traveler You have a fireplace like that!
8/28/18Reply
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