Scotland: Glasgow & the Highlands

Hey everybody! I had the opportunity to visit Scotland recently and it was wonderful! Sadly, I didn't see The Highlander though I thought I had written out a blog post last month but I can't find it...so, I either have early dementia or I forgot to save it. Who knows?

Anyway, after a week travelling thru the English countryside (from South Wales to Manchester), my colleague, Pam, and I decide to spend the weekend in Scotland. We take the train to Glasgow which is really pretty cool. Most of the folks in the Manchester area that we spoke with had really negative things to say about the city and tried to push us towards visiting Edinburgh (pronounced Ed-in-bur-uh) instead. Which, I understand has more historical artifacts. But, my mind was set on Glasgow and it was closer to the Highlands which is where I really wanted to visit.

We ended up staying at the Hotel Indigo which is fab-u-lous!

I highly recommend Glasgow for those wanting an urban getaway. It's got a lot to do (there was a party everywhere!), the food was delicious and it's not that far to visit other cities. Speaking of food, I tried Wagamammas for the first time while here and it is hands down one of my all time favorite restaurants! OMG, it was wonderful! Wagamammas is pan-Asian food that is cooked fresh to order. It was so delicious, that I went to eat at the location in Dublin twice! In fact, I am now checking to see each city where it's located because I will be going there...I don't care, I'm a Wagamammas groupie. Don't judge me. LOL

But the real beauty of Scotland comes when you travel to the Highlands. It is so lush & green. I love the Scottish brogue, the unhurriedness of life and the tranquility of the lochs (aka lakes). It's one of those places where you go to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. It's so peaceful.

We start our Scottish Highland tour with a visit to Pitlochry, where we stop to get scones & tea from this awesome bakery called "Mackenzies".

I came across this cute place while walking around.

After breakfast, we head further north and stop in Glen Spean for some breathtaking photos.

Then, we arrived at Ft. Augustus. I cannot even put into words how excited I was! I've heard the stories about the Loch Ness Monster all of my life and I promised myself that I would eventually get to Scotland to check it out for myself. And, here we are...at Loch Ness! The loch, 24 miles long, less than a mile wide, and the third deepest in Europe, is deepest near the Urquhart Castle, and most monster sightings are in this area. I'll admit it: I had my zoom lens out and my eyes on the water. It's a thrilling thought, and there have been several seemingly reliable "sightings" (monks, police officers, and sonar images). But you're far more likely to spot Nessie kitsch. We took the boat tour of the lake and it was freezing, but it was actually pretty cool.

Urquhart Castle

For those of you unfamiliar with the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, here is a quick recap: When the Romans first came to northern Scotland in the first century A.D., they found the Highlands occupied by fierce, tattoo-covered tribes they called the Picts, or painted people. From the carved, standing stones still found in the region around Loch Ness, it is clear the Picts were fascinated by animals, and careful to render them with great fidelity. All the animals depicted on the Pictish stones are lifelike and easily recognizable—all but one. The exception is a strange beast with an elongated beak or muzzle, a head locket or spout, and flippers instead of feet. Described by some scholars as a swimming elephant, the Pictish beast is the earliest known evidence for an idea that has held sway in the Scottish Highlands for at least 1,500 years—that Loch Ness is home to a mysterious aquatic animal.

The earliest written reference linking such creatures to Loch Ness is in the biography of Saint Columba, the man credited with introducing Christianity to Scotland. In A.D. 565, according to this account, Columba was on his way to visit a Pictish king when he stopped along the shore of Loch Ness. Seeing a large beast about to attack a man who was swimming in the lake, Columba raised his hand, invoking the name of God and commanding the monster to "go back with all speed." The beast complied, and the swimmer was saved. (source, "The Legend of Loch Ness" by Stephen Lyons)

Nessie

After leaving Nessie behind (I guess she was on vacation too), we drive to Ft. William to see the remains of Inverlochy Castle which was built in the 13th century.

A bit further east, the valley of Glencoe is the essence of the wild, powerful, and stark beauty of the Highlands. Along with its scenery, Glencoe offers a good dose of bloody clan history. Glencoe town is just a line of houses. The village, where the infamous Massacre of Glencoe took place, sits at the entrance to Glen Coe and is surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery and is popular with serious hill-walkers, rock and ice climbers. It has been seen in numerous films, including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as the home of Hagrid (which makes this fascinating as you know I love me some HP).

Now, y'all know I love a good story. Well, the Massacre of Glencoe is right up there with Henry VIII and his daughters, Liz & Mary. The massacre began simultaneously in three settlements along the glen—Invercoe, Inverrigan, and Achnacon—although the killing took place all over the glen as fleeing MacDonalds were pursued. Thirty-eight MacDonalds from the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed by the guests who had accepted their hospitality, on the grounds that the MacDonalds had not been prompt in pledging allegiance to the new monarchs, King William and Queen Mary of England. Another forty women and children died of exposure after their homes were burned. It just got real, y'all.

After leaving Glencoe, we make a stop at Achallader which is a beautiful glen as well.

And had my first experience with traditional bagpipes!

After leaving Achallader, we head to a distillery to sample Scottish whisky! I'm not a big fan of whisky but it was alright. I ended up buying some for my Dad so he can use it in his famous Whisky Cake.

Overall, Scotland was an absolutely wonderful experience. I would love to go back and visit when I have more time. If you are ever in (or near) the UK , please go check it out. I promise that you will love it too!