A. L. Kaplan

Tag: Inverness

  • Post 3: My Trip to Scotland: Part 3

    Post 3: My Trip to Scotland: Part 3

    A beautiful morning on August 3rd as we left our B&B in Inverness.

    The next stop was a memorial of the Scottish Clearances in Helmsdale. Between 1750 and 1860 many tenants in the Scottish highland and islands were evicted from lands they had been on for generations. (Around 70,000 people) It made way for more sheep pastors. Many of these people emigrated to Canada, America, Australia, and New Zealand.

    THE EMIGRANTS was created by Gerald Laing in 2004. And no, he is not wearing anything under his kilt except what god gave him in this anatomically correct sculpture.

    In case you can’t read Gaelic: The Emigrants: Commemorates the people of the highlands and islands of Scotland who in the face of great adversary sought freedom, home, and justice beyond theses shores. They and their descendants went forth and explored continents, built great countries and cities, and gave their enterprise and culture to the world. This is their legacy. Their voices will echo forever thro the empty straths and glens of their homeland. Unveiled by the first minister of Scotland, Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP, 23 July 2007.

    Then we grabbed lobster rolls for lunch in Dunbeath and saw Dunbeath Castle.

    The next stop was the Duncansby Head Lighthouse.

    Along the coast.

    Then it was off to John O’Groats.

    We took the Pentland Ferry to Orkney Island. The ride was nice, but as soon as we moved, all the car alarms went off. It made for a noisy ride.

    We road over several Churchill barriers build between 1940 and 1944 as naval defenses. Since 1945, these causeways have linked the Orkney Mainland to the other islands.

    The land was beautiful, flat, with no trees in sight.

    Our first night in Kirkwall, we saw St. Magnus Cathedral and the Bishop’s and Earl’s palaces.

    I liked the Orkney Museum.

    The bed and breakfast was nice. This time we were able to put the beds together.

    It was a good night for Fish and Chips at Harbour Fry.

    And in case you are wondering.

    By the water.

  • My Trip to Scotland: Part 2

    My Trip to Scotland: Part 2

    August 2nd began our five-day tour through the Highlands and up to Orkney Island. If you’ve ever tried to drive on a narrow winding one lane road over hills in a foreign country, you know why we chose to do a tour instead of renting a car. It was well worth it!

    Along the way we learned a lot about Scottish history and saw some beautiful sights.

    The drive took us through Glencoe in the Highlands, site of the Glencoe massacre. In 1692, men, women, and children of the MacDonald Clan were murdered in their sleep by troops of the Clan Campbell. It was ordered by the government but violated clan hospitality that Clan Campbell had requested because of a winter storm.

    We drove past Ben Nevis Mountain, the highest point in Scotland.

    And through Loch Lomond National Park.

    Of course we stopped at Loch Ness. Nessie didn’t make an appearance, but we did see some brave swimmers in the icy water.

    Inverness is on Scotland’s northeast coast, where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth. It’s the largest city and the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands.

    We got to spend the evening there.

    I even found some wolves on a church along with some other critters.

    Dinner was a MacGregor’s Bar which had this lovely quote from Sir Walter Scott.