Where’s Waldo’s? Wall Murals–Playing a Postcard Game in Invergordan, Scotland

October 5, 2024December 4, 2024Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

A person, an experienced adventurer, several years ago shared a “game” with me. Hence, I play this game every chance I am able and even shared it with other. It’s a very basic concept but so fun!

The object is to buy a local postcard-literally a postcard of your current location-and find the objects or places on the postcard–it’s like playing where’s waldo but in your local geography of highlighted features. That is exactly what I did today.

Invergordon is a quaint town/village in the Highlands of Scotland, along the firth. The firth is oddly deep enough to hold/host a major sea liner, which surprises me. Scotland, especially the highlands, are mysterious that way.

I popped into the Post Office to purchase some stamps and found the Murals Postcard so off I went to find all the wall paintings. Success!!

I also found a beautiful church and, of course, I had to stop for a delicous coffee.

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The RoseGarden with Lunch

October 4, 2024December 4, 2024Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

While in Tain today, we ate more fish and chips (it’s so delicious, especially with malt vinegar and salt!) We stopped at the local chippy, to pickup lunch and a beverage, after doing some walking and touring. We went down to the Rose Garden to enjoy our meal, spectacular meal with quite a view!

Tapestries and Tea Time in Tain, Scotland

October 4, 2024November 12, 2024Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

A stop off to get a pot of tea and a pastry is always essential on an adventure, like the Hobbits–there is always time for such necessities.

While Kevin enjoyed a Cappuccino, I enjoyed a blended fusion pot of tea and some scones shared between us. What better way than to start of the daily adventure and tours?

We walked up Lamington Street in Tain, we stopped to read and admire the statue/monument and moved forward to the oldest royal burgh in Scotland.

The Tain Museum and Ross Center is free of admission but the volunteer on site gave Kevin and I the most amazing tour of the museum, the old church and the cemetary on site–so it’s a must!

King James visited Tain in the past and even attended this church, which has been historically maintained through the years. It is now on the historical registry.

The small painting in the photos below is part of the history musuem and I absolutely love it, noting that is worth sharing. It reminds me of Scotlands history as well as Ms. Price in Bed Knobs and Broomsticks (Disney Movie!)

Want more information?

Check out the history website. https://tainmuseum.org.uk/visitorinfo.php

Don’t forget to check out my eBay! Every purchase benefits the Wildlife Sanctuary in Colorado as well as supports an an artist/adventurer..

The Walk to Clava Cairns–and Kerbis Cairns–Gravesites of Old–with Standing Stones

October 4, 2024November 12, 2024Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

After visiting the moor and battlefield of Culloden, Kevin and I walked the 2 or so miles to the Cairns, through the countryside in the Highlands of Scotland–it was a mild, sunny day, perfect for walking outside.

We crossed over a small creek and meandered along the road to get there. Kevin was really enjoying the wondrous views. He was snapping many photos along the way–and I don’t blame him–the view is stunning and the early autumn is beyond lush and colorful. I love that he snaps photos–a great souvenir (for both of us.)

The site has been enclosed with a spring gate and fence, to aid in preservation and to help deter critters.

As seen by the photos, I attempted to go through the stones and back into time (or jump forward?) I obviously didn’t travel through the stones-despite my best efforts. I also didn’t have anything to offer for the ferryman for payment-a gem? A precious item? Or it is the wrong time of year?

Over the Sea to Sky-Portree on the Outer Hebrides via Eileen Donan Castle

October 3, 2024November 12, 2024Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

Celebrating Kevin’s Birthday was so much fun–while his birthday was technically at the beginning of September, we celebrated it in Scotland with a fully loaded, day long tour (via Timber Bush Tours--highly recommended!) I booked the tour some months in advance as I wanted to guarantee that we had seats on the special tour.

The Epic Tour included these stops (plus more!)

Highland Coo’s (no we couldn’t pet but they are still cute!)

We happened to see the infamous Highland Stags (Monarchs of the Glen Deer)

Old Man of Stor

We stopped in Portree for lunch. Kevin and I chose fish and chips, of course, and I purchased some postcards, naturally. We saw all the pretty rainbow colored houses on the harbor as well.

We stopped on the way back to Loch Carron and other Glenns and lochs. There was a famous one that had a dinosaur found on it! On the way there we saw the outlines of hte famous ruins of Urqhuart Castle and on the way back we saw another famous castle but I forget the name of it.

The Isle of Skye is famous, not just for being the major “hub” of the Outer Hebrides but also for being the primary escape route for Bonnie Prince Charlie, Charles Stuart, the last Kind of Scotland trying to regain the throne of Scotland.

The day was eventful and our driver/tour guide was absolutely amazing. Kevin’s favorite part was touring Eileen Donan Castle (which was built as a family estate in 1919). It was Kevin’s first castle.My favorite part? The lochs and glenns, of course, and getting to see the wildlife.

The Jacobite Rebellion-a Fight for Scottish Independence–Culloden Battlefield, Highlands, Scotland

October 2, 2024November 12, 2024Anna--The Adventurer 1 Comment

A visit to Culloden Battlefield–where markers in the field state where the Clans formed and fell and where the British came through–the field filled with blood, ankle deep, on both sides.

The farmers/crofters cottage remains on the battlefield, closed off from visitors going inside but it is still visible as a historical marker to the occurrence.

The Old High Church, in Inverness along the river, also bears marks of the post battle British Brutality, alive Jacobite “traitors”, were shot in the cemetery.

There are flags marking/denoting locations of each group, also, dotted along the battlefield; one can walk a marked path to see where the British troups and Clans were located during the battle-as well as a Monument dedicated on site.

In Search of Nessie, Drumnidrochit, Scotland

October 2, 2024November 12, 2024Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

A quaint little village along the banks of Loch Ness, enroute to Urquhart Castle, Drumnidrochit is a lovely place to spend an afternoon, meandering your way around and looking for Nessie and more. The Nessie cafe is also a delightful place to stop for a good lunch and some hot beverages on a chilly day–and one can see a perfect replication of Urquart castle in the center of the village.

St. Boniface, Fortrose, Scotland-and a pint at Union Tavern

October 1, 2024October 30, 2024Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

The history continues to unfold here in the Highlands of Scotland. Kevin and I are discovering all kinds of old and new history- tucked away in each corner and Glenn we stumble across, literally and figuratively.

Built in 1245 A.D. what is left/seen is only a fraction of what was originally built. Fortrose lies between Avoch and Rosemarkie on the A832 on the southern coast of the Black Isle. Many of the buildings are of an ornate Victorian style, evidence that it was during this historical period that it went through a rapid period of expansion. However, other buildings are evidence of a much older history. Just to the seaward side of the High Street is Fortrose Cathedral.It was built in 1250 A.D., and though only a fraction of the original building remains standing, it is an impressive sight. These ruins are older than the USA, and yet, here they stand strong.

It was a rather chilly afternoon, so Kevin and I popped across the street after the ruins and had a pint to warm up, at Union Tavern–always a friendly venue.

Our first Fish and Chips-Sutor Creek, Cromarty, Scotland

October 1, 2024October 30, 2024Anna--The Adventurer Leave a comment

Yes, this deserves its own blog post here, it was that delicious!

Kevin and I, while in Cromarty, on the Black Isle, had our very first Fish and Chips in Scotland-garden peas, salad, and a homemade cream sauce/tartar included–absolutely worth it! While I had eaten at this restaurant many years before, I knew how delightful the cuisine is at Sutor Creek-but for Kevin, it was a first, and he couldn’t get enough!

Located on Cromarty Firth in the Black Isle of Scotland, not far from Inverness, it is well worth the efforts and travels to get there, highly recommended. Make reservations beforehand, it’s that good!