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.
A lovely, albeit windy and chilly, day on the Harbor–getting some local history and enjoying an “All Day Breakfast” kind of brunch–with a big coffee, of course, made a perfect day
The small village of Avoch dons a beautiful harbor and a fishing history. The sign provides some great information–
Docked boats A Mosiac Mural on the harbor masters wallBanks of AvochAvoch Local HistoryAvochAvoch CoceA cool day at the bayTaking a bite out of the wind by donning my scarfStaying warm in the chillA docked boatThe tide is outWatching the birds The fisherman are inDocked boats
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.
My Travels 