Scotland
From the blue seas, to the sandy beaches and rocky shores; to the green countryside dotted with sheep and castles; to the formidable, ancient crags and ridges, carved out by eons of ice and tectonic activity, that now make the Scottish Highlands ...
This is a land veined by rivers and streams, with stretches of fresh and saltwater bay lochs in between. It is where the commercial fisherman, the beef farmer and the ghillie can make his living, and where the best dram in the world is drawn.
Fern- and moss-covered woodlands hold bygone secrets-- 6,000-year-old history, tiny glimpses only by the touch of still-standing stone. If only the trees, the water and the rocks could speak, of the rise and fall of king and clan.
Do the fairy tales ... do the legends ring true?
Aye. In Scotland, they do.
Rick and I traveled to Scotland and drove 646 miles by rental vehicle; 86 miles by the Jacobite train from Fort William to Mallaig ; 17 miles by horseback near Tain; and 52 miles by foot. Our journey took us to Edinburgh, Braemar, Culloden, Inverness, Carbost on the Isle of Skye, Fort William, Luss, and finally back to Edinburgh. Scotland's moody skies and dramatic landscapes were so much more beautiful than we imagined. Our photos are only snapshots. They don't do justice to the real thing.
A house in the Highlands in Cairngorms National Park.
Old Military Road in Cairngorms National Park on the way to Braemar for the night.
"Fraser's Bridge" over Clunie Water beside the Old Military Road in Cairngorms National Park.
BridgeHighlandsScottish HighlandsStone BridgeFraser's BridgeClunie WaterRiver
The River Dee near Balmoral Castle in Cairngorms National Park.
Lichen and moss on a tree at Balmoral Castle.
"Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848." https://www.balmoralcastle.com/about.htm
Lettuce growing in the royal garden at Balmoral Castle.
Lettuce growing in the royal garden at Balmoral Castle.
ScotlandJW-102
Flowering chive plants growing in the garden at Balmoral Castle.
Flowering chive plants growing in the garden at Balmoral Castle.
Unknown pollinator plant in the garden at Balmoral Castle. The bees loved them.
View of Balmoral Castle from the garden.
View of Balmoral Castle from the garden.
ScotlandJW-136
Greenhouse at Balmoral Castle.
ScotlandJW-149
ScotlandJW-172
View of Balmoral Castle from the garden.
View of Balmoral Castle from the garden.
View of Balmoral Castle from the garden, through the gates. GR: George Rex; MR: Mary Regina.
Balmoral Castle.
Rhododendron on the grounds at Balmoral Castle. They are very popular flowers in English gardens/forests.
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle clock tower.
Balmoral Castle clock tower.
Spruce tip and pine cone. I found them left on one of the stone railings at Balmoral Castle.
View of Balmoral Castle from near the stable area.
River Dee near Balmoral Castle.
Scottish Highlands in Cairngorms National Park.
Clan Donald stone at Culloden Battlefield.
ScotlandJW-393
Moss growing on Culloden Moor.
Common cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium) growing on Culloden Moor.
Unknown flower growing on Culloden Moor.
Some type of young pine tree growing on Culloden Moor.
Some type of young pine tree growing on Culloden Moor.
Another memorial stone at Culloden Battlefield.
Scottish front line marked by blue flags at Culloden Battlefield. The government army's was marked by red flags.
Common gorse grew everywhere in Scotland, including at Culloden Battlefield.
