I just returned from a long weekend trip to Scotland, land of my forefathers. My dad is Scotch-Irish, meaning our Protestant ancestors left Scotland to help settle Ireland (or maybe it was present-day northern Ireland?). Anyway, my friend Kim and I had a fantastic trip to see the famous Highland Games in Braemar, and just soak in the atmosphere. If a travelogue is a bit boring for you, no worries (as they say on the island). But i knew at least my parents would be interested in the details! :-) It was a bit difficult with the language-- pronunciation is a challenge because of the spelling of the words-- and you're dealing with 3 languages as sources of names and terminology: English. Scottish and Gaelic.
A "Scottish breakfast" -- includes eggs, maybe potatoes, "bacon" (what Americans would call country ham), sausage, mushrooms, baked beans (for BREAKFAST?!) and maybe a broiled tomato.
Ok... before I go any further, for the Royalty fans out there-- I saw the Queen-- and THEN SOME. Here is a photo taken by my little Casio camera zoom, of Prince Charles (in a kilt) and Camilla, at the Braemar Gathering! More on that in another blog, but just wanted to whet your appetite!
On our first morning we saw Culzean Castle (pronounced "Culleen")
on the coast south of Glasgow, near where we'd flown in. 
Outstanding views of the Firth (estuary) of Clyde!
Then it was winding our way northwards to the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond where we had lunch. This lake --37 kilometers long and up to 8 km. across-- just accompanied our drive for a LONG time. It's southern shores lie 14 miles north of Glasgow, and it's surface area is the largest freshwater body of water in Great Britain. I dipped my feet in it!
On part of our travels along the Loch we drove shortly into Luss, a quaint village of darling cottages with flower gardens. A wedding had just taken place, with a bagpiper celebrating outside.
A couple of times during our journey we saw a sad sight-- church buildings that had been transformed into civic centers, or restaurants. This one was a Tandoori restaurant
featuring Indian food.
5 comments:
Ok,dann werd ich mich mal als Royalty fan zu erkennen geben...;o) Das is so cool,dass du die Queen gesehen hast! Bin gespannt auf mehr versprochene Photos!!
Can't wait for the royalty photos and story! And how bout photos of your new apt?
Deanna
Loch Lomond ist toll, oder? Der Blick auf den See kam mir sehr bekannt vor, als ich in Schottland war, haben wir ein paar Tage in Balloch übernachtet ;)
Bis bald, LG.
been thinking of you lots lately! hope you're doing well. could you send me your address again, i've gone and misplaced it, and i want to send the china dvd to you.
sending a big hug and a barrel of perfect encouraging words your way.
much love,
stef hash
Love this blog. You are very good at story telling and adding pictures! Very enjoyable read.
Rusty Cryer has been in town today and yesterday...of course we are thinking of you often and putting a bug in Rusty's ear that we may be able to lead or be on a team this summer.
Can't wait to see you when you get here!!
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