The day was a long travel day. After checking out of our hotel in Inverness, we headed north/northwest to what is called ‘the land of the true Scotsman’. We stopped at a local winery for a wine tasting (at 10:00 in the morning!). This was privately owned by a local family. They make various wines from natural items found around and near their estate i.e. White Birch sap, elderflower and various fruits. In modern day, they no longer can make the wine and jellies on site. However, they control the recipe and production from their home. We were given samples of brandy, wine, liqueurs as well as jams and jellies on oat cakes. Most were really good, but Garlic Pickle jelly just doesn’t smell good enough to get into the mouth! YUCK!
After our visit, we were off to our next stop, the ruins of Urquhart castle on Loch Ness. www.aboutscotland.co.uk/ness/urquhart.html History has it that this castle was built, raided, attacked and finally blown up in it’s 1000 year history. Located on a peninsula looking onto the Loch Ness, it is a beautiful setting for a castle. After exploring the ruins and snapping a few pictures, we sat on the terrace of the visitors’ center and had a cup of latte. So peaceful there. We could just imagine the Laird and Lady of the castle standing at one of the windows surveying their territory.
While we are on the subject, yes we were at the real Loch Ness, the one with the ‘sea monster’. No sightings this trip, but we did stop at the Loch Ness Exhibition Center, www.lochness.com very quickly to take a couple of snapshots of the ‘yellow submarine’ used to scientifically explore the loch, as well as the statue of what is believed to a depiction of “Nessie”. Not on the Rick Steve’s Tour agenda, but the guide thought since we were in the area…..! LOL!
Our tour guide and driver had a stop planned for a short ‘picnic’ while we were on the road. Now back in the States, if there was even a chance of rain, all picnics are cancelled. But since it has been raining here in Scotland every day, we had our picnic in the rain. While they set up in the snacks, we all walked to a small bridge and waterfall that fed into Loch Ness and took pictures. We noticed the on the other side of the bridge, there was a small building over looking the stream. It so reminded us of a Hobbit house out of the Lord of the Rings. Don’t know what it was really, but we just called it that.
Even though it was a misty rain falling, our picnic consisted of all Scottish products. (No Haggis on the menu!) Our guides, Anne and Russell, served various cheeses, salmon, oatcakes, beers, wine, and soft drinks. They also included a caramel cookie only found in Scotland. All was very tasty. While munching on the goodies, we were able to get fairly close to the hairy cattle found in Scotland. These are huge and hairy like an English sheepdog. Very cute younger cows…reminded me of the 1960s Beatles haircuts!
Back on the bus we head further north toward the Isle of Skye. On the road, we had the opportunity to drive through a National forest area and saw several deer and some saw a wild mountain goat. The deer here are not slim and sleek like the whitetail deer in Arkansas. These deer are solid and wide. They look like the size of cattle. Obviously size is important in surviving the winters and cold found this far north. The temperature was 9 degrees C. Roughly 48 degrees F and factor in a wind of about 40 mph. VERY chilly here!
For those followers that remember the “Highlander” movie, we stopped at the Eileen Donan Castle. www.eileandonancastle.com This is where the filmmakers filmed several scenes. They also filmed the Grand Hall scene in one of the James Bond movies. Just can’t remember which one. I think it was “The World is Not Enough”.
We arrived at the Isle of Skye in the late in the afternoon. Our hotel is a very quaint bed and breakfast with a little chef who is amazing in the kitchen! During our dinner, we were entertained by a Scottish musician who played the accordion, the guitar, and drum. But let’s just say there is something wrong with Buddy Holly being played by a man in kilt on a drum!! Good night to all! Tomorrow we are off to explore the Isle of Skye.
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