A Day at the Folk Museum starring Miss Candida N. – Scotland Day 14

Candida and I were just a little bummed this morning to be packing up to leave Pitlochry. It’s been such a wonderful home base for our explorations. Thanks again, Susan! I was also just a bit worried looking at all my packages and parcels about getting all the stuff I’ve bought into my suitcases for the trip home. But, like Scarlett, I’ll think about that tomorrow.

Our last morning’s view of the loch.
Lovely house.
All the comforts of home.
Lovely view from the Master Bedroom
Skylight view in 2nd bedroom

We did finally get our stuff loaded though and headed north for the final time. This time our destination was the Highland Folk Museum at Newtonmore.  Arriving, we checked in at Reception. There is no charge for the Highland Folk Museum, just donations requested to help maintain it, and the friendly person at reception was happy to orient us to the mile-long site. Weather being extremely Scottish at the moment, Candida and I chose to head straight for the 1700’s replica township on site. (Only a 5 minute walk we were promised. I’ve been to Scotland before, so I knew better. Apparently, whoever sets these times walks much fast than I do!) Continue reading →

Another Outlandishly beautiful day – Scotland Day 13

Sorry for the delay in today’s post but didn’t get in from Inverness until very late last night and after concentrating on driving very dark roads for 50 miles driving on the left, I was beat! Woke up extra early this morning to get it done though. Sitting here writing and listening to the rain patter on the roof and trying not to think about having to pack back up and head to Glasgow and then leave for home on Saturday.

Yesterday was beautiful though. At several points there weren’t even any clouds in the sky, so we had a beautiful drive down to the village of Falkland. We ended up doing some shuffling of our plans for the day as we realized that Aberdour Castle was going to be closed on Thursday and Friday, so we decided to do that today and hold off on Newtonmore until Thursday. We made the hour or so drive south to Falkland in good time, even lucking into a parking place right in town. Judging from the signs around town, parking is really restricted until the end of September but in October nobody cares!

My Outlander friends will recognize Falkland as the filming location used for 1940’s Inverness. Of course Candida and I did just a tiny bit of squeeing as we saw the house used for Mrs. Baird’s and the memorial in the street where ghost Jamie stands. We walked all around taking pictures, only occasionally remembering that we were mostly standing in a public street. Luckily traffic was a minimum. We also had a great time shopping in Earth Fayre, which was the shop front used for the scene where Claire looks at the blue vases.  We didn’t find any blue vases there, but I did pick up a bag full of great stuff for people back home and the owner even gave Candida and I a little free key-chain shaped like a sporran. She also told us a bit about how interesting it was to have her shop front turned into a film set. Continue reading →

Lights, Camera, Outlander! – Scotland Day 12

The day started bright and early this morning as we had an action packed day planned. I probably owe Candida the first shower tomorrow as I apparently used more than my half of the hot water. Oops. After a quick breakfast, we hit the A9 south towards Stirling where we were meeting one of the Outlander UK girls at our first Outlander filming location of the day.  We arrived right on schedule and found our compatriot with no problems. She led us on a short hike up the hill to a very familiar location to those who have either seen episode 105 – Rent or keep up with Matt B. Roberts’ pictures of the Day.

University of Stirling
Cottage used in Episode 105 – Rent

Next up, we headed over to Culross. Culross is the village used by the Outlander team for the fictional Crainesmuir as well as some of the outdoor garden scenes at Castle Leoch. The Palace itself was closed but we were able to explore the gardens to our heart’s content. We then ventured up cobblestone streets to the house that was used for Geillis and Arthur Duncan’s house. It has scaffolding because they are still in the process of returning the house to its pre-filming color. Continue reading →

Reverence and Remembrance… Scotland Day 11

Woke up early this morning and had a brief Skype with Mom as she was up way too late. I captured a beautiful view of the light dawning over the loch next to the house. I eventually wandered downstairs to make myself some tea and eat breakfast. It’s so wonderful to be staying somewhere with a kitchen. Thanks Susan!

WP_20141013_08_33_23_ProBefore too long, Candida and I were ready to hit the road. On today’s agenda was Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns. We also had plans to meet up with Lisa, one of the Inverness Outlanders I wasn’t able to meet last week. On the A9 north, we drove through periods of sun, clouds and mist—you know, typical Scottish weather whiplash. By the time we reached Culloden though, the weather seemed to have settled into a period of sun. It was however the coldest day of the trip so far.

At Culloden, we paid our parking and admission fees and headed into the exhibition area of the Visitors’ Centre. The displays of artifacts and explanations of events were very good. I was also glad to have the chance to practice my Gàidhlig comprehension a bit more. (I even managed to try some pronunciations under my breath.) The most moving of the exhibits by far though was the Battlefield Experience. Continue reading →

My Heart’s in the Highlands…Scotland Day 10

I woke up this morning already feeling sad that it was my last day in Wigtown. We had such a fun time this weekend. Anyone reading this blog who comes to Scotland simply must make time to come and visit Deb and Andrew at Hillcrest House. After another scrumptious breakfast, we all sat at the breakfast table and talked until it was time for tea and sweets all over again. It doesn’t get much better than that! Eventually, though, we had to break up the party. After a few last-minute photos, Candida and I hit the road for Pitlochry by way of Caerlaverock Castle.

Sunrise over Wigtown.
Hillcrest House
Candida gets in some last-minute Danny smooches.

Once more on the road, we made our way through the Galloway countryside, eventually passing through New Galloway —childhood home of one Sam Heughan. After more than an hour, we had made our way through Dumfries and arrived at Caerlaverock Castle. Caerlaverock is famous for falling after siege to Edward I (also known as Longshanks). The siege was well documented in a poem as we learned in the short presentation we viewed before walking down to the castle. Other distinguishing characteristics of Caerlaverock are that it is triangular shaped—unique in the British Isles—and that it is a 13th century castle shell with a 17th Century mansion built inside. As per her usual habit, Candida climbed all over inspecting nooks and crannies. I think it’s the writer in her—always looking for details she can use later!

Caerlaverock Castle
Front gatehouse
Inside the courtyard
So many doors and windows.
17th century in a 13th century castle.
Ornate facade.
19th century graffitti.
View from the castle.

Finished with our visit, we hit the motorway and headed for Pitlochry, our base for the next few days. After several hours on the road, we finally arrived in Pitlochry to find it crawling with people there to attend the Enchanted Forest light show. Ever the hostess in the know, Susan recommended that we go for dinner at the local golf course as most of the places in town would be full. Candida and I eagerly headed that way, realizing that we hadn’t eaten since breakfast. The golf course and restaurant were situated on the top of a hill with a lovely view of the mountains. Candida and I spent the time waiting for dinner catching up on some social media. It just doesn’t pay to get too far behind. 😉 Eventually we were served our delicious dinners. Fish and chips for Candida and Fisherman’s Basket for me.

Full once more,we headed to the local food co-op to stock up on some staples for the next few days. One great benefit of having a house is having a kitchen to make tea and breakfast. Groceries bought, we headed back to the house to settle in for the next few days. This is normally where I would tell you our plans for tomorrow but, in all honesty, we haven’t decided for sure. If the weather is nice, we may go to Culloden and Clava Cairns. I must say, as much as I enjoyed my time in the southwest of Scotland, I’m happy to be seeing the Highlands once more.

Slàn leat an-dràsta! (goodbye for now)

–Mandy