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.
Don’t forget to check out my eBay! Every purchase benefits the Wildlife Sanctuary in Colorado as well as supports an an artist/adventurer..
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!
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!)
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?
Clava Cairn InfoClava Cairn InfoClava Cairn InfoClava Cairn Info
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
It all started in the little town of Wiggins, Colorado…We started our grande adventure in Cromarty, Black Isle of Scotland!
We started off by getting coffee in downtown Inverness at Cafe Nero–and headed to the Farraline bus station to catch our bus (of course, we got the megarider, 4 zone bus card, from StageCoach!)
We dismounted the bus at Victoria Hall in Cromarty and walked down to the firth to watch the water lap up on the shore lines and made our way down High Street, to visit the Library (I needed to use the ladies room) and librarian gave us a local site seeing map.
We continued our walk and picked up another coffee to go at the local venue and we checked out the Gaelic chapel and the courthouse and Hugh Miller Cottage from the exterior as they were closed.
We walked further along the path and came to the East High Church and entered. It has always been one of my most favorite places on the planet. It’s a preserved and restored Medieval Churches, full of carvings and stone scrolled head stones and more.
There so many headstones carved and scrolled out by the Protestant Reformer Hugh Miller, his handywork and skills are seen in so many forms, not only in the graveyard but around Cromarth and Inverness as well. Stunning! As seen by the photos, Kevin can’t get enough of it either!
We followed the signsTaking note of pretty rod iron fences along the wayNoting stone walls and holly treesthe old organ from the churchthe reverands office doorCarvings by Hugh MillerKevin being the walk around the perimeterShopping/goodies tote in haulMe in one of the best places on earthSeveral headstone carved by Hugh Miller, the Protestant Reformer, Fossil Findeer and MasonEast High Church, Cromarty, and Anna PotthoffHeadstones Anna PotthoffAnna Potthoff, AdventurerEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyKevin R. Harris @ East High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyThe coffers help keep the church going as it’s medivel and volunteer supportedEast High Church, CromartyWe had to get coffee before our adventure started Getting coffee at NeroEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyCoffee timeDropping off postcards on the corner in CromartOne of my favorite houses, I love the gates and the old treesEnjoying the walk towards the firthCoffee @ Nero while we waited for our bus slotOne of my favorite houses, I love the gates and the old treesEnjoying the walk towards the firthDropping off postcards on the corner in CromartGetting coffee at NeroCoffee time
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