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!

Before 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

Stones, Towers and Scones…oh my! Scotland Day 9

Awaking after a wonderful night’s sleep, I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos of the beautiful sunrise over Wigtown. I don’t think I could ever tire of looking out over this beautiful part of Scotland. Everyone should immediately add it to their Scotland itinerary. Heading downstairs, I joined everyone for a delicious breakfast prepared by Deb. I’m going to be in big trouble when I have to go off scrambled eggs and Scottish smoked salmon cold turkey at the end of this trip. Sheila, Candida, Luanne and I listened excitedly as Deb outlined our plans for the day. I was so excited that the day was to start with a visit to standing stones that I’m not sure I heard where else was planned. (Surely my second attempt at going through the stones would be more successful than the first? Practice makes perfect after all and even Roger took more than one try.) We all piled into my trusty little van and set out for our grand adventure.

The standing stones were called the Torhouse Stones and were located in a fenced off corner of a local pasture. The cows looked on in what appeared to be mild amusement at what I am sure they considered amusing human behavior for a Saturday morning. For the most part they stayed quiet and chewed their cud, at least until the farmer arrived! The minute the farmer arrived on his four-wheeler and let himself through the gate, the lowing and mooing commenced! Luckily, he didn’t seem put off by the crazy women being that near his cows. The girls and I just continued taking photos and trying our best to figure out how to get to Jamie. Luanne tried counting all the stones, Sheila and Deb tried patterns, and I finally decided maybe throwing myself across one might work. I’m pretty sure Candida was just sitting quietly and laughing at us. 😉