Perhaps not everyone has read the "Outlander" series, but as it is a history of Scotland from the mid 1700's forward, the tour could be enjoyed by all. Today we had as our guide Hugh Allison, not only a native of the area, but extremely versed in Scottish history. He has written several books, one "Roots of Stone" is of his family 'tree' reaching back through Irish royalty, the Picts, and the 'mist' of time.
Clootie Well, ancient holy healing well
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| From Scotland |
Hugh first takes us the the 'Black Isle' just to the north of Inverness and the "Munlochy Clootie Well." Clootie Well finds its beginning in ancient traditions, a 'healing' well to which pilgrims would come and make offerings usually in hope of having an illness cured. Many still come and tie 'remnants' of themselves to the trees and bushes and the site is covered from ground to the tops of trees with pieces of cloth, shoes, clothing, .... looks like a rag shop!
Walking on the path to the Clootie Well Hugh points out 'brambles.' Me being a city gal didn't realize these were blackberry bushes. We all stopped and sampled the sweetest blackberries I'd ever had. We asked Hugh about a tree covered with red berries that we'd been admiring throughout our travels and he identified it as a "Rowan" tree. Very beautiful and colorful.
We visited the "Wardlaw" mausoleum built in 1634, now closed to the public, the burial site of at least four Lovat or Fraser clan chiefs. The church no longer remains, only the mausoleum. Inside in the stone floor is a large, heavy, black metal cover that, lifted, leads down to a crypt containing about 6-7 metals caskets. This was burial site of Lord Lovat, "Old Fox" ('Jamie's' grandpa).
Our guide took us to "Ord House" .... a lovely home that approximates the type of home Jamie's family would have had at Lallybroch. Hugh served us 'tea' and demonstrated real Jacobite weaponry.
Ord House (found by Hugh and okay'ed by Diane Gabaldon)
Hugh, showing real Jacobite weapons
Leaving Ord House, we drove to a car park close to Rogie Falls. Walking along a wooded path about 3/4's of a mile we came to the falls where we saw salmon trying to leap up the falls. "trying" was all we saw; Hugh said that after each try, the salmon would have to wait several hours before having the strength for another go. There was a 'man-made' ladder to the far side, but I never saw a salmon take the easy way.
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| From Scotland |
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| From Scotland |
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| From Scotland |
Leaving Ord House, we drove to a car park close to Rogie Falls. Walking along a wooded path about 3/4's of a mile we came to the falls where we saw salmon trying to leap up the falls. "trying" was all we saw; Hugh said that after each try, the salmon would have to wait several hours before having the strength for another go. There was a 'man-made' ladder to the far side, but I never saw a salmon take the easy way.
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| From Scotland |
Castle McLeon
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| From Scotland |
Castle Leod - Home of the Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, one of the few castles in Scotland to be still occupied by the original family.
This was a terrific day. Helen and I both tired when we were returned to our lodging in Inverness. Had a nice dinner at the Castle Restaurant, got back early to prepare for our departure to Oban the next morning.
Lights out.
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