We talked with a man running the store next to the bridge and he said we just missed the 'carving' contest. He said artists from all around the country came with their chainsaws to carve huge tree trunks into delicate dragonflies or fierce monsters. Chainsaws!
On our way again, we backtrack a few miles and head out for the pretty little town of Grantown-on-Spey and then north to Forres. We stop there for a while, do a little shopping and go through a small museum. Heading further down the street we see a sign for a crafts sale. Turns out to be mostly a rummage sale, but several vendors there with enticing homemade sweets and desserts. Of course we can't pass that up and bring several sweets back to the car.
Tried to used my google map to find our new B&B in Inverness, but, again had to ask directions. We looped around several times before finding the correct street and I was pleased to see a parking space open. We settled ourselves into the Kinloch Lodge and took off down the street for 'old town' - just half a block but had to go down about 100 steps (meaning we'd be climbing them to get back!). Helen had another 'internet' friend who told her about live music at Hootenanny's and that's where we headed. The music didn't start til 9:30; so we went to "One" restaurant and I had a delicious salmon fillet dinner. Didn't think I'd stay awake for the music, but was energized by the young crowd at Hoots!
I think you can tell from the photo that they were loud and raucous! (is that a word?) They were great fun and the place was standing room only. Several tables (not ours) were removed so more people could get in. Another late evening for us, but we had to get back and prepare for an early morning departure with the "Outlander" tour.
Sunday
Our guide, Alastair Cunnington of "Clans and Castles" tours picks us up at 9am and we meet the other couple, Susan and Mark, on the tour. Can you believe only four of us with a personal guide! This guy is terrific and we'd recommend him to anyone looking for a more personal tour (usually his small tours are around six to nine). We head out first to Clava Cairns. The pictures I'd seen in the guide books don't do this place justice. It's between 3-4 thousand years old and Alastair gives us a good background on what is known about the site. And then we see the split standing stones. Is this where "Claire" steps into the past to meet her Jamie?
Then we head to Culloden battlegrounds and the new visitors center. I was totally blown away by the new center. All the exhibits, the letters, the visual 'experience' that takes you almost into the battle itself; I highly recommend seeing it.
The battlefield. As you walk along the path and see the various clan's cairns, see the flags showing where the English were and the Jacobites stood, it's hard not to feel the pain and suffering endured so long ago. Flowers for the lost are still brought in remembrance.
This is the house where the injured were treated. Back in '04 I was able to go inside and see how it might have looked, now it's closed and one can only look through the windows.
Off to visit Cawdor Castle, mentioned by Shakespeare several times, but not actually built til after "Macbeth's" time. There is a legend about the castle that one day the Thane of Cawdor set a donkey laden with gold to roam the countryside, saying that wherever it chose to rest for the night would become the site of his castle. The donkey lay down by a tree and the castle was built around it. We walked down the narrow stone stairwell to the dungeon and saw the ancient tree. It died in the 14th century but the trunk remains.
Alastair then takes us to several sites with "Pictish" stones. The Picts were a prehistoric race who have left little of their history, except for the stones. Most of their carvings were destroyed, or had Christian symbols or crosses carved on the over side. One stone we saw must have been almost two stories high, but it was encased by a larger glass/plastic box, and hard to get a good picture of.
Alastair describing the meanings of the symbols; a Celtic cross on the reverse side.
Time for a quick trip out to Ft George sited by the Moray Bay. We didn't go inside the fort, but did walk down to the gates and then walked up on the battlemounts. All coats and scarves were on as it had turned cold and blustery! Walked back to our car, by the shore we saw numerous brave souls having fun in the freezing waters.... brrrr
A quick zip back to our lodging and times set for tomorrow's jaunt! Dinner tonight at another lively pub. Good thing we don't drink!
til tomorrow.....
Linda
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