Scotland 2017 - Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park

The lovely MacDonald Forest timeshares where we stayed for the next week had this lovely waterfall.

The closest town, Aberfoyle , had a Wool Centre where we learned about different kinds of sheep, and watched a sheep-herding exhibition performed by her Shetland sheepdog and a group of more-or-less willing ducks, substituted for sheep.

The next day we were off to Doune Castle featured in the Outlander series, as well as in 

Monty Python and the Holy Grail.   

Bannockburn Monument where Robert the Bruce vanquished the English.

Wallace National Monument, the Old Stirling Bridge , and Stirling Castle.

 The Wallace Monument seen from Stirling Castle 

             

Statue of King Robert Bruce at Stirling Castle

 At the gate of Stirling Castle with our friend "Flat Thomas", who, unfortunately, could not make the trip in person.

Stirling Castle gardens

The Great Hall of Stirling Castle

Hiking in Queen Elizabeth Forest with its wonderful views of Loch Lomond, we discovered old crofting ruins, red squirrels and purple heather-covered mountains.

On a rainy day we hiked up Doon Mountain .There was a  tree where people have tied ribbons for the fairies that are said to reside there. We didn't see a fairy, ,just lots of ribbons.

 Ceilidh (pronounced "kay-lee") is the Gaelic word for a party and that evening we attended the ceilidh at the hotel. where we were well-entertained by a pair of local musicians.

We took a lovely cruise on Loch Katrine aboard the SS Sir Walter Scott, with its beautiful scenery, including this hotel on the banks.

This ship has been plying the waters of Loch Katrine for over a hundred years.

The ruins of Inchmahome Priory  

was another highlight.  It is on an island in a small lake and

we are trying  to see as many islands as possible on this trip.

Scotland 2017- Glasgow

After many months of planning for our marathon tour of Scotland, Jon and Geri Simms and Roger and Meg met at the airport to begin the long journey.  We left San Antonio late afternoon on August 9, arriving in Glasgow, after connecting stops in Atlanta and Amsterdam, late afternoon on the 10th.  We look fresh here, but this was early in the trip!
 We picked up the rental car and Meg, our designated driver for the trip, (no one else would take the job!) began learning to drive on the "wrong" side of the road, sitting on the "wrong" side of the car and shifting the gearstick with her left hand! What a trooper!

The Nave of Glasgow Cathedral

A tomb within the wall of the cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow is not known for its sights, but does have a beautiful cathedral, as well as a fascinating "Necropolis" on a hill nearby.

Glasgow's Necropolis (City of the Dead)

We stayed in B&B in the old Kelvin Hotel, a restored Georgian  building, where Rosie took good care of us and fed us the first of many sumptuous "full Scottish breakfasts."  Those usually consist of eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, a tomato, a potato scone, mushrooms, black pudding and haggis, along with fresh fruits and porridge, if desired. If you eat most of that, and stick an apple or banana in your pocket, you're set until supper! Walking, of course, is another matter!  We spent our one good Glasgow day at the marvelous Kelvingrove Museum.

This museum is Glasgow's art and natural history showplace, and well-worth a visit when you're in town.  

A rare example of a mounted haggis

Everyday the museum hosts a free concert on its magnificent pipe organ.  A temporary exhibit displayed "comic book art". Fascinating!

Sadly, most church buildings in Europe now house museums and restaurants, the population having now largely adopted a non-church-going lifestyle.  This beautiful old building now is the  Oran Mor, a pub/wedding venue, and event space in Glasgow's west end.  The food and service were excellent!    

 

We finished our Glasgow visit with a drive out to Clarkston, a suburb, where we attended a summer Scottish country dance. You could not find a more hospitable and welcoming group; we had a ball!

For those interested in Scottish country dancing in the UK, here's a link which is kept current.

Scotland 2017 - Ayrshire

Our great host at the dairy farm B&B, Laigh Tarbeg, Hugh and Moira Watson and Molly the dog, showed as a great time.  We recommend them and their home very highly!  It is well -located for visiting the area.  

Robert Burns was the poet laureate of Scotland.  We visited his birth place, and home as well as the Burns Museum. 

The wall shown below is an example of the amazing stacked stone walls one sees everywhere in Scotland.

The  Brig o' Doon made famous by the musical of that name was near The Robert Burns Memorial.

Poosie Nancsie's Tavern was a favorite Burns hangout.  One of the goals of our trip was to visit as many prehistoric or neolithic and bronze-age sites as possible. We met this gentleman, Harry Stevenson, at Poosie Nansies, and he graciously volunteered to be our guide to see the Ballochmyle cups and rings wall.

Look close to see the "cups and rings" of Ballochmyle.

On our hike to see the cups and rings, we saw this rail bridge, the highest rail bridge in Britain.

We took a long drive south to the Galloway National Forest, and on a hike there we came to "Bruce's Stone"  commemorating a significant victory there over the English.

The little town of Sorn is home to this church where many of Jon's relatives, Kirklands, are buried.  The church was also important during the "Covenanters" period of Scottish history and the Reformation.  (click on the word for more explanation.)

Sorn church where relatives of Jon's ,the Kirkland , are buried.

The Reformation gave rise to many martys to the faith. George Wood, the last of these, is buried at the Sorn Church.

The pretty old bridge across the street from
the Sorn church.

The Troon SCD group hosts a weekly dance during the summer and we met our dear friend, James Bell, there and had a great evening of dancing.