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.

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

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.

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

Two’s company and Three Castles – Scotland Day 7

Woke up bright and early this morning. Well, it was early anyway. Not so bright at 6:30 am. The sun did eventually come up and out though and it was proving to be a lovely day when  I collected Candida from the airport. Our first stop was back to Susan’s to drop off Candida’s bags and let her catch up on 8 hours of social media, then we went out to grab breakfast. Breakfast over and done, we headed for our first location of the day – Doune Castle.

On the way to Doune, it was time to put another paycheck’s worth of gas in the car. 😉 And if we stopped to get gas at the Cumbernauld exit off the motorway, that was just entirely coincidence.  Arriving after the hour drive, we paid our entrance fee in the gift shop and paused to make note of the copy of Cross Stitch for sale. Although, I have to say that the Monty Python memorabilia is totally outnumbering the Outlander items.  Outlander fans need to make sure that changes pronto.  Inside, Miss Candida at once sprinted into any hidey hole or staircase she could find. I followed at a more leisurely pace, punching in numbers on my handy audio tour. Continue reading

From partly cloudy Skye to rainy Inverness to sunny smiles in Glasgow – Scotland Days 5 and 6

Woke up to vastly improved weather conditions in Skye on Tuesday. But if I have learned anything in my time in Scotland, it is that you can’t judge the next 5 minute’s weather by the last five minute’s weather! A side effect of the clearer weather though was chillier temperatures and the morning air had a decided nip to it.  After a breakfast of scrambled eggs and tea, I hopped in the car to begin the day’s adventure. The plan was pretty ambitious: drive round the Trotternish peninsula, find the Fairy Glen and the Fairy pools, and then head back over to the mainland and arrive in Inverness in time for dinner and drinks with some of the Inverness Outlanders group.

With no time for dilly dallying, I settled the tariff at the B&B and set out. (Don’t you love the way I’m starting to talk like a native? 😉 I’m telling you, another week and no one will know I’m from Georgia!) I made it at least a few hundred yards before stopping to take some photos. With all the rain of the last few days, there were waterfalls absolutely everywhere. I snapped a few and then also got a photo of the rock formation known as the Old Man of Storr in the distance. I also stopped to take some photos of Kilt Rock, which reminded me very much of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland with the addition of a lovely waterfall into the sea. Continue reading

Episode 108 – Both Sides Now – The Gàidhlig Bits

Wow. This was a humdinger of an episode! (I use humdinger here for Àdhamh, who does love our Southern colloquialisms.) Too bad we have to wait SIX MONTHS to find out what happens next.  We really must think of some ways to pass the time.  I already have a post in the works on the aforementioned Southern colloquialisms, but I will do my best to also come up with some ways to make sure we don’t lose the Gàidhlig we have picked up over the last 8 episodes.

Speaking of picked up Gàidhlig, how many of you were able to understand most, if not all, of the Gàidhlig this week? Pat yourselves on the back!

7:25 Jamie to Hugh Munro

Madainn mhath – Good morning

Slàinte – health/cheers!

a charaid – friend

18:55 Fight with the Grants

Dougal says something at the end of the fight, but I can’t decipher it.

Angus:  Tulach Ard – Mackenzie war cry

19:52 Jamie to Claire after the fight with the Grants

gràidh – love

23:22 Teaching Claire to fight with a knife

taing dhut – thank you

 sgian-dubh – literally a dark blade

33:45 Scene with the deserters

mo graidh – my love

Mo nighean donn – my brown haired lass

37:35 Jamie to Dougal when leaving for Horrocks meeting

Sèo – Here.

Well, that’s it. I hope you have enjoyed picking through the Gàidhlig with me for these last 8 weeks. I can’t wait to see what the next half season brings us in April.  Stay tuned to the blog as I’m leaving for a two-week trip to Scotland on Thursday night.  I plan to post from over there as time permits and I can promise lots of pictures. And, you just never know who I might run into!