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.