Dornie

Day 12
We leave the Isle of Skye today. This island is my favorite place on our Scotland trip. I love the mountains, streams, and vast open spaces. The remoteness can make one feel lonely or invigorated, or both. I'm reminded of my solo trip to the west coast of Ireland back in June and how those remote places made me feel both. On this trip, however, having Kim along makes the loneliness go away.

We are traveling to our next AbnB in the Cairngorm National Park. Along the way, we have the opportunity to take on two of Scotland's most famous castles. We are confident that the four of us riding our noble steed (Volvo), wielding weapons (cell phones), and dressed for battle in our armor (t-shirts), can take both castles in one day.

Eilean Donan is the first. This is the most photographed castle in all of Scotland. If you have seen any pictures of Scotland or of castles, then you have seen this one. It served as the remote northern MI6 headquarters in the Bond movie "The World is not Enough." It sits on a small island in a loch (lake) with a stone bridge leading to its gate. The Clan MacRae owns this castle. In long ago times, castle lords (lairds in Scotland) defended and maintained the castle. It was a tradition in those times to take in the stranger or the traveler and give them bed and food. In one instance, a leader and his 500 soldiers took advantage of this hosptality. The lord at that time was so put off by this that he abonded the place because it was a liability too difficult to bear. There is a memorial there to all the MacRae family soldiers that perished in WWI, totaling around 500. The castle sat in ruins for ceturies, being destroyed by the English. In the early 1900s, the MacRae family rebuilt the castle to be used as a summer home. The entire top floors of the tower include bedrooms, kitchen, and the great hall. No photographing was allowed inside. But, I'll say one thing. Any kids who lived here had a lot of fun playing hide and seek. The day is sunny and warm, and it is great for pictures but a little hot for climbing the tower.

Our 2nd castle is Urquhart Castle on the Lock Ness. Yep, right next to the place where Nessie lives. This was the hottest day and place we have been on this trip - about 82 degrees, high humidity, and no clouds. The ruined castle was held by several over the ceturies. The most significant story is when the Dean clan controlled the castle but decided it was too much of a hastle to defend any longer. So, they removed everything and blew it up with gunpowder. The place burned down. It's a good tour if you like ruined castles. Oh, while I was taking pictures, I saw something odd in the lake (see photo).

After the last castle, we drove to see the balttlefield of Culloden. In 1746 the English battled against the Jacobites, killing most of them. The area is a national monument today.

At last, we drove to our last AbnB of the trip in Aviemore. The place is an entire house that was pretty much brand new. Nice place. I had my best meal of the trip in this town. A venison burger.

Only two more days and our trip will be history.Read more