Tis the Spooky Season–hauntingly beautiful art


An Original Piece, available for purchase on eBay! https://www.ebay.com/itm/226524842114

The ghostly monk attending to an abandoned monastery, church in Scotland Inspired by local legends of the ruins, nearby, Inverness Scotland, and the cairns. This monk still maintains his garden, even after death, and he hunts the abandoned monastery church that he wants to have added centuries ago

Item is framed, ready to hang. Original Size is 16 in by 20 in but is a bit larger due to the frame. Ready to hang on the way. Varnished with a UV glaze for protection and long lasting. Original oil on cotton canvas. Solid brush strokes and hand painted, one of a kind original. Stories of folklore legends and ghosts. #ruins #monks #ghosts #spiritis #hauntings #paintme #parati #painting #haunted #hauntingseason

Dancing the last night–MacCallums and Max’s


An evening out before heading back to the United States tomorrow–an essential event for me. I knew of MacCallums from travels before and it’s a great local hot spot that isn’t touristy and a true gem tucked in downtown/old town Inverness.

The live music is always awesome–and the barkeeps are always on spot–I walked in and the barkeep noticed I was “frozen” and made me a cup of coffee so I could warm up.

One aspect I enjoy about MacCallums is that it’s not touristy and it’s cozy, if a pub can be described as cozy, hahahaha!

A nice gentlemen, Hugh Frasier, had the band perform Caledonia for me and it started off the night of dancing and fun for me, such a joy and treat! The band played 90 and early 2000s covers–which was a throw back to my younger days (and yes, I am dating myself!) Shaking one’s tail feathers on the last night of a dreamy vacation is always a good way to go.

After leaving the pub, I stopped by Max’s, an essential if you are going to Inverness–it’s a takeaway place that offers amazing food and they are open late. Tonight was the second time I ate there on this trip–first go around I had the Doner Plate and tonight, freshly done fish and chips with extra malted vinegar and salt.

A windy day in Nairn–beaches, wandering the Maggot along the River


A long bus ride from Inverness bus station to Nairn but totally worth it. I packed my throw blanket and off I headed–the bus driver instructed to me which stop to take to easily access downtown Nairn–which was just a mere few blocks to access the Maggot and East Beach, via the walk way along the River Nairn.

I purchased a “picnic” lunch for myself, a sandwich with a pack of crisps and a beverage and off I went to the sea!

Along the walking path, I spotted a pair of adult swans, white ones, and a small flock of what I assume were the teenage brood of the adult pair in the river, amongst the reeds and rushes.

A very windy, chilly awe inspiring day! The skies were crystal clear today and bundled up with my wool blended cardigan and scarf, the best was had all the way around–and even Nairn by evening sunset is beautiful (the photo is a bit fuzzy as it was taken from the bus!)

My favorite place in Inverness–Old High Church and Cemetery


Located along River Ness in the old part of the city, Old High Church in Inverness is my most favorite of all the churches, not just in Scotland but likely world wide.

Why?

It enchanted me from the onset. The old masonry work, the chiseled headstones, the history, the smell of the peat wafting from the river below, the lingering scent of history past and present saturating the air–the lush plant life underfoot–it’s intoxicating. While located on the River Ness, Nessie doesn’t swim up river from Loch Ness, so no worries of Nessie snatching you away from the River.

Then, personal happiness occurred here–meeting here for coffee with old friends years ago, making new friends–drinking coffee and writing in my travel journal, meeting other history enthusiast here–showing others the history on a walking tour and so much more. The far retaining wall has hosted many a conversations of sillyness and seriousness for me, all with fond times.
The history isn’t just personal either, it boasts the history of Scotland’s past–resulting deaths, forced by the English, of Jacobite freedom fighters whom were put down forcibly, filling the soil with blood of the extinguishes-internment of loved ones-and surviving centuries of everyday living and community–Old High Church will has stood tall for centuries and will continue on-

Is Old High Church Cemetery haunted, given it’s history? See for yourself and don’t worry, the hauntingly beautiful place stays rested within it’s realm, never leaving it’s safe place along the river Ness.

Coffee, Tea and the Rosemarkie Pict Man at Rosemarkie, Black Isle, Scotland-


Who doesn’t love a day on the beach–a double hot beverage for myself, listening to the waves lap on the firth was a delight.

The person whom might not enjoy the scenery would be the Rosemarkie man, whom was murdered and left in the caves many a year ago and found. The history of what happened can be read on this link–I admit, he is quite handsome but then again, I am in the highlands of Scotland.

Enjoying reading about the local history on beach placards and watching families build sand castles on the beach, despite the cold wind, made for quite a day. The Rosemarkie Beach cafe not only offers tasty hot beverages but outside seating for ease and enjoyment–which is a delight, and offers a few local postcards as well.

Wandering around Inverness, Counting the Steeples and More!


Our first day, officially, here in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands of Scotland! It’s Sunday so things are a bit slower and/or with limited hours so we are enjoying a leisurely day about town, drinking coffee, enjoying fish and chips and lovely cuisine, dining out at Johnny Foxes and navigating by the steeples in town–while checking out the historical cemetery at Old High Church.

The windy streets and cobble stoned corners, half streets that connect winding pathways and more are ever so intriguing. Having been here before myself, I can easily navigate my way around but for Kevin, we got him a folding Old Town map with some fun symbols!

The Castle on top of the Hill, Inverness Castle, was once truly a castle, recently a courthouse and holding jail and now is being converted into a museum, Kevin’s first view of a castle, at least from the outside.

His favorite part so far? Greig Street Bridge that bounces as you walk across the River Ness, that flows down the middle of town, right past Leakey’s bookshop!

All Under one Banner


 

What a rally and march to see!! The streets are packed with seekers, the March filled with banners, flags, and more, in march for an Independent Scoltand!! What an experience to see first hand.

The march last well over an hour and chants were said, responses given, and flags were waved in high glory, too!!!

 

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Discovering Inverness with New Found Friends


Adventures are always more fun when you make new friends and discover things together! Wandering around is always a new way to experience things!

Erin McMillian and I go for coffee

Dancing our way to dinner, High Street, Inverness, Scotland


You never know how you are going to meet people, over coffee? Perhaps, but dancing while dinner finishes so we can all eat family style, speaking many languages never was so easy as dancing before dinner—where we all made food and brought it to the table.

The accomodation hosted a kitchen with many small stoves and lots of counter top and all of us were hungry so each of us made a small platter of goodies and passed the platters around to eat as one! Blessings come in many forms.

City Hostel, High Street, Inverness Scotland

Struy Guest House, Cozy place to stay in Inverness


The Struy Guest House has honestly been the very best

accommodation that I have stayed in while traveling and adventuring. The property manager, Kasper, has been super friendly and accommodating, the premises clean and neat, everything is tidy, and it is very affordable.

I love that it is located about a Mile from downtown Inverness, easily within walking distance (with a lovely walk to and from) but also located about 2 blocks from a bus stop. The quiet neighborhood provides an extra air of serenity.  A simple breakfast is provided with a small extra charge but it is a great way to kick off the day.

I really liked it, too, because it wasn’t the run of the mill, generic place to crash, very pretty cottage style house, which added to the ambiance of visiting Scotland. Shared rooms and suites both have amenities such as coffee/tea pots and more, which is super helpful, comfortable bedding and always kept clean.

I thoroughly enjoyed staying here as I met some really great people and felt very comfortable, relaxed, and at ease, which is a huge thing I often don’t find at hotels/motels, etc. (Keep in mind, I have never tried an AirBnB)

Struy House 109 Ballifeary Road, Inverness, Scotland iv35p3

struyguesthouse@gmail.com

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15229912