Our Day With the Group
Culloden BattlefieldI probably shouldn't admit this, but I really didn't know and understand about the significance of Culloden. However, the museum at the Battlefield was very in depth at explaining the battle. As my mom and I were reading and learning, it was as if a light bulb went on for both of us. We started understanding the story. To put it in very simplified terms that I could relate to: Culloden was their Gettysburg, looking at it from the Southern point of view. It was a huge loss. After filling our brains with the museum, we then strolled around outside on the battlefield. Not to sound too much like a tourist, but the gift shop there had some really nice things, AND the money goes towards supporting the battlefield. I bought several scarves, we shall see if I actually give them away as gifts!
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Clava Cairns and a Picnic Lunch
Our next stop was at the Clava Cairns with standing stones and burial sites, similar to Stonehenge. It was a neat little side trip, uncrowded, and you could get up close to the stones. Once again, the Rick Steves' team displayed their brilliance at planning and problem solving. We were in the middle of nowhere, with a group of 25 plus that needed food, before we can continue with our next stop. The solution, the guide provides a picnic lunch. In a little meadow next to the Clava Cairns, Helen and Ben set up a Scottish picnic with lots of local specialties to sample. To many of us, it was a much more memorable group meal than many of the sit down restaurants. We could walk around and socialize with the group AND try new foods without a huge commitment!
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Cawdor Castle and Gardens
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This was one of my favorite stops on the trip. The castle was fun to see and imagine what it must be like to live here. Plus the real-life drama of the Countess feuding with the rest of the family adds a bit of intrigue! The gardens were the real highlight of the stop though, with some beds overflowing with wild flowers while others were manicured to perfection. Plus! There were some hairy coos (Scottish Cows) just outside the exit gate.
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Our Evening With the Group
BEFORE our group dinner, Helen had encouraged us to meet at a local pub for some traditional music by local musicians. Many of us gathered as the small band played fun Scottish tunes. The pub was jam packed, but the groupies of the band made sure that the Americans were having fun singing along and joining in the dancing. We were a bit sad to leave when it was time for our dinner; we all would have stayed a bit longer I think! However, none of us were grumps, and we all enjoyed the group dinner.
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Dear Friends:
Everything here in Scotland is described as a "wee this" or a "wee that." And they use this term seriously... As when the cashier said to me "I'll just need your wee signature."
So today we had a wee walk in a battlefield, then we took a wee look at some stone circles (think Stonehenge), had a wee picnic before touring a wee castle. There was a wee sighting of some highland cows ... Known locally as hairy coos. The evening ended with a wee bit of wine and some local folk singers.
Now time for a wee bit of sleep...
So today we had a wee walk in a battlefield, then we took a wee look at some stone circles (think Stonehenge), had a wee picnic before touring a wee castle. There was a wee sighting of some highland cows ... Known locally as hairy coos. The evening ended with a wee bit of wine and some local folk singers.
Now time for a wee bit of sleep...