Home

We're home and had a perfect trip back. All our flights connected with no problems and we were able to sleep a bit. That means our internal clocks are almost back in the correct time zone. I was up this morning at 5:30am and that is just a bit later than I normally sleep. Kip isn't up yet but I hear him stirring.

It is nice to be home but I am regretting that I didn't find a kilt. I am already concerned that I don't have any scones with clotted cream for breakfast and I am wondering how I will get along without shortbread. Well, that simply means I really need to return to Scotland! In the meantime, I'll be checking the internet for some
good recipes and perhaps and on-line kilt store just for fun!

Now today...lots to do to be ready for work tomorrow. I do hope to be able to post some more photos so check back later this week.

Kip's Day

Today was Kip's day. We toured distilleries along the River Spey. He was so happy to visit some of the places that he had heard of for so many years. Our day started early with a stop at Glenfarcus and then we moved on to the Cooperage Heritage Center. Here we learned about the craft of making casks. We read the display info, had a tour and watched the coopers repair the casks. Then I tried to put a small cask together. I was unsuccessful and think I need to keep teaching. Since coopers are paid based on the number of casks they complete, I'd never make any money. Then off we went to a few other distilleries.

By 1:30 we were ready for a change so we headed north for 10 miles or so and ended up in a small seaside village. We walked about just a bit before heading south to a woolen mill!







Disappointment! The woolen mill I had been planning to visit was closed for Easter holidays! What a shame. This was the place I would have seen the weaving and then the process to make the cashmere. Oh well...next time!

Another disappointment! Out of the blue and very unexpected, we spotted the Walker shortbread factory. Shortbread, yes that yummy, buttery, perfect Scottish cookie. We turned the car around and headed back in hopes of finding a visitor center with a tour. NOPE! No such luck! Well at the first store I could find we stopped and bought some shortbread but instead of Walkers who disappointed me, we bought Dean's. Now I'm looking for the Dean's shortbread factory.

One last photo. Notice the snow on the hills! Last week they had 2 feet of snow. It's quickly melted most places but not at higher elevations.



Tomorrow we travel back to Edinburgh and fly out on Saturday morning. I'll try to add more photos tomorrow however I am not sure of internet access beyond tomorrow morning.

The day is over and it is past my bedtime so I am shutting down for the night. Nite all!

Highland Cattle

I know, you've already seen a photo of a higland cow. Really though, aren't they the cutest cows you have ever seen??? The tan one was posing for a picture so we had to stop.

Pheasants

There are pheasants all over the place here on the Spey River. I've been so wild about taking photos of the males, I forgot to include the females. I'll try for that another time.

Wednesday's Drive

We headed off Skye early Wednesday morning to make our way to Grantown on Spey, located in the Highlands. Our drive took us past more castles...imagine that...beautiful mountain landscapes and lochs. Our first stop was at the the castle used in the movie Highlander. That's one of my favorite movies so we had to stop if just for a photo. This is the ultimate castle, surrounded by water with a stone bridge that would have been heavily guarded. I'd feel safe here!



We marveled at the landscape as it opened up to snow covered hills but didn't stop for any photos. We were headed to spot Nessie. Yes, our next stop was Loch Ness. Most of the sightings of the Lock Ness Monster are by the ruins of the castle. We looked and looked by no Nessie. The loch is 24 miles long and 2 miles wide, much bigger than I expected. Check out the pictures and look to see if you can spot something!







It's time for breakfast so I'll be back to blogging later today.

Remote Telephone

We're driving along on a one lane road. There is next to nothing around except sheep. Round the corner we go and gues what we see? Yep, a telephone booth. I'm thinking cell phone coverage is minimal here!

Sheep and Cows

Both the sheep and the cattle had long flowing locks. They were both beautiful animals.

More Skye

We had a wonderful time traveling around the island of Skye. Both days were overcast with periods of heavy rain. That did not stop us from seeing the sites. From castles to ruins to hills to waterfalls, we saw everything we could!

We drove miles and miles on a one lane road to visit this castle only to find that restoration work was happening. We toured it anyhow and enjoyed the castle and the grounds. The castle is still in use and we were only invited to tour a small portion of it. We had free reign to wonder about the gardens until the rain returned.



Kilt Rock is named because the rock face has the appearance of the pleats in a kilt.





Waterfalls are all over the island. We were surprised by the mountains here and even more surprised with all the water running and gushing down the mountainsides.





It's always fun to check out schools in other countries. Look at the sign for the Gaelic translation.

The Island of Skye

We spent the last few days on the Island of Skye which is located on the western side of Scotland. Internet was shaky at best however I was able to check once on the status of the coal mine explosion and then I was shut off. Sad affair.



We stayed in Portree, a small harbor town at one of the local hotels on the upper street. The lower street right on the harbor had lots of restaurants serving fresh seafood. The colors of the buildings were a picture just waiting to happen!

Now that we have internet, I'll be posting more but right now it is time for dinner so we are heading downtown and will be back soon.

Can you tell I'm in the UK?

A telephone booth and a taxi...very British!

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

I promised you I would find the house of the infamous Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Here it is but now turned into a small eatery. It is the smallest one in the middle with the white sign.

Kilts, Kilts and More Kilts

There are kilts all over the place. Shopkeepers, bellmen, doormen, street entertainers, and the occassional tourist are wearing kilts. They are sold all over the place and all you have to do is find your clan tartan and you are ready to go. I've been searching for the clans of Baxter, Bell and Mitchell and although I have seen them in the tartan books, these clans are not represented in the stores. Bell and Baxter use the MacMillan tartan but I have seen the pictures of the ancient Baxter plaid with beautiful yellows. Mitchell's plaid is blue and black with a thread of red.

Edinburgh Castle

The castle is stunning and sits high above the city on Castle Rock. It was built in the 11th Century but little of that castle remains today. The buildings you see today are from the last 2-3 centuries and were used for the military. Yes, we treked to the castle and what a climb. I can't image charging the castle during a war! I think it would be a very safe place.

The Cemetery

We passed by dozens of churches on our walk today and were fascinated with the cemetaries. We walked through one and found ancient headstones. What was most fascinating though were the walls of headstones. Even more fascinating were the rooms dedicated to families. Check out these photos.

Edinburgh

We've had a great 24 hours here in Edinburgh. We arrived in the afternoon on Friday and took a bit of time to walk around, get the lay of the land and shop for my raincoat. I found exactly what I wanted in the first 20 minutes! Lucky me!!

We're staying at a Sheraton right between New Town and Old Town. Now New Town has been around since about 1766 so new is not exactly what I consider new! It is considered the heart of the city and is a shopping mecca! Old Town is where Edinburgh began and the Royal Mile (a medival thoroughfare) runs from the Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It's a great coblestone street with some of the most interesting structures I've seen lately. Enjoy the photos...

We stopped by Edinburgh Castle on Saturday morning but did not tour it yet. We're saving that for tomorrow. Our plans are to arrive very early before the crowds arrive. Wish us luck!



There are many interesting building along the way but this one was just a bit different. Most are stone buildings and are natural.



When Queen Elizabeth is in town she stays at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Must be nice!



A group of small homes and a shop close to the palace for the Queen



This primary school is in use! I thought TAEP was old.



I had to take a photo of this little house very near the Palace. I'm thinking it was a guard house for the palace but I don't know that for sure. Maybe it was a playhouse for the kids!



Our plans are to repeat our walk tomorrow and check out the places we missed. I am in search of Brodie's Close so I can see the home of the notorius Deacon Brodie. He was a repectable councilor during the day and a thief by night. More importantly he was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's The strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The story was set in London though instead of Edinburgh. Deacon Brodie was arrested, convicted and hanged in 1778. Wish me luck and check back tomorrow for more on our travels.