Around Fort Williams

Ben Nevis peaking up behind the
ruins of Inverlochy Castle

While it wasn’t the Isle of Skye or Islay, Jeff’s favored Scotch distilleries, we did get to take a tour of the Ben Nevis distillery, complete with Ben Nevis in the background. This particular distillery does not complete every step, the hops are fermented elsewhere, but they do complete the process for distilling the scotch and barreling it for the many years until it is ready to be bottled and sold – generally between 3 and…pick a number.  I did learn that since in America, you can only use a barrel once, many of the barrels they use came from wineries and such in America – and whatever was in it the first time “flavored” the barrel and thus the scotch.

Inverlochy Castle

After the tour, we decided to walk back to Fort Williams. They have wonderful walking paths here and generally off the main road so you don’t have to breath car fumes all the way. We quite accidentally walked into a castle. Inverlochy Castle is one of the many ruins scattered across Scotland. It was originally built around 1280 but, of course, saw its way through a number of battles and restructures until we have indeed the ruins here today. It is still used – there was some kind of a reception going on so we primarily took in the outside of the remaining castle, picturesquely located on yet another loch.

Fort Williams...and Harry Potter

Ben Nevis - on a beautiful day!

Fort Williams is a small town on Loch Linnhe, a beautiful place

Loch Linnhe - in the rain...

with gorgeous mountain scenery. However, to keep all that green, it has one of the highest rainfall records in the country. It is famous for the presence of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland (Britain too, for that matter)

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As an Outlander fan, it is the location of Fort William, the fort that Claire is taken to in the first Outlander book. For the Harry Potter fan…there’s the Hogwart Express…otherwise know as the Jacobite train. It does indeed travel over the famed bridge as Harry and friends are carried to Hogwart School of Wizadry. The car(s)

for the set were crafted from older coaches but they do include a car on the train that is in the style used in the movie (and you can ride there - for a fee) as well as a small store that, of course, sells memorabilia for both the Jacobite and Harry Potter experience (have to be sure to have something for everyone).

I did make a discovery on this trip. In the movie, the classic train scene shows the train heading out towards Hogwarts, the steam locomotive pulling it across the iconic bridge. Tried to catch it on the way out and while I got the bridge, I never did get the engine included. On the way back, I once again had the opportunity, capturing 3 shots of the engine with a couple of the cars. I was ecstatic…until I realized why they never show Harry returning on the train…the engine pulls the train backwards on the return trip! If you look closely, the train is led by the coal car, with the engine following…

Holyrood Park

Abbey with Arthur's seat
just visible past the tree.

 Holyrood Park, also known as the Queen’s Park or King’s Park, depending who is the currently reignin ruler, is a royal park near Arthur’s Seat. The panorama posted in the next link was actually taken from the gardens of the Queen’s castle.

The Royal Palace actually began as a lodging provided for the reigning royal family within the adjoining Abbey, but it eventually grew, and has outlasted, the original building. Various royal personages have built, remodeled, changed, and enhanced the building over the years. The building is still the official residence of the British Monarch when they visit Scotland and many different official, royal activities do occur there. Fortunately, no one was in residence while we were there so it was open to the public.

Fountain in the outer
courtyard area

The outside gardens were all that we could photograph so while the tour took us through the king’s route, up the royal staircase, through increasingly opulent rooms and on to the king’s bedroom – where, of course, no one sleeps. Each room is decorated in a particular style, generally representing the tastes of the person who decorated it. A few of them have Virtual Tours if you’re interested in seeing a few of the rooms.

The Abbey from inside
the ruins

One of many flowers!

The Abbey is currently in ruins, with only the main vestibule remaining. The gardens, however, were gorgeous, manicured, and totally in bloom.

The Fringe

This is the Fringe time here in Edinburgh, the time when the locals leave the city and the visitors descend en masse. The Fringe Festival is the largest arts festival in the world, with entertainers, actors, and more descend upon the town to share their productions for 3 weeks (no wonder everyone who can - leaves). The streets are crowded, various singers, musicians, and acting troupes entertain the masses as you walk along and many venues are available for other theatrical and musical performances. We went to see a few different productions, including or very own Portland based  No Belles! They did a fabulous job – have to check them out next summer! Also went to see a hilarious Rakugo performer - it's basically a Japanese joke-teller. Katsuo Sunshine is actually from Canada and is hilarious. So miss Japan!

Arthur's seat is in the background on the left. The ridge on the right is the
first one we walked up...along with a few hundred other people!

Arthur’s Seat is a part of an extinct volcano, and the highest point in the area to have some spectacular views of Edinburgh and the surrounding area. It is an extremely popular hiking route, with many different approaches…Basically, it is up, and we, of course, chose the longest "up" route possible. Wound around the mountain, figuring that we would finally arrive at a path to the top but no...we arrived at a top to discover that the REAL top was the next hill over...Finally did make it and found some gorgeous views. Great way to spend an anniversary.

There are many who try to claim it is derived from the Arthur legends, although there are many such places located in and around the English countryside. If true, he was quite busy roaming around the countryside, looking for tall hills to climb. Apparently Edinburgh’s Arthur’s Seat is popular enough to have made it into a number of books including Frankenstein and one of Jule’s Verne’s books (had to get a literary reference in here…)

Mary King's Close

A close happens to be a neighborhood, narrow streets with many tenement houses built up on either side, and this particular one was from about the 17th Century. People lived in them, threw their "night wastes" out the windows, built more rooms on top when they needed more homes, and survived, or died, of the plague. There were apparently some "prosperous" people and businesses in the area...and some not so much. The Royal Exchange decided to build on the old buildings and, being cheaper to keep them as the foundation, simply wiped out the upper portion, keeping the lower buildings in tact. Of course, some enterprising soul sought to open them up for tours...for they are said to be haunted...
Unfortunately, we couldn't take any pictures but...here's a link if you want to read more about it. 

Scotch Tasting

The largest collection of scotch -
all these bottles - unopened!

When in Scotland, you absolutely have to go to a distillery…or two. We took advantage of the opportunity to explore the ins and outs of creating fine quality scotch, along with a taste (or two as the case may be). They started out with a Disney style tour through the distillation process, complete with an accompanying ghost to fill us in on the process. We were then led into a room that housed the worlds largest collection of scotch (and it was so full, who could argue) where we were given an opportunity to sample scotch from the various regions around Scotland, each, of course, with their own distinctive tastes (I’m getting that from Jeff…I wouldn’t know). It is the perfect set-up because everyone got a glass…and Jeff got two.

Gothic spire - Sir Walter Scott's
memorial

We saw a rather tall, gothic tower (looked rather like Saruman’s castle), and just had to check it out. Turns out it was a memorial to Sir Walter Scott, with details about his life and contributions. For a fee, you could also climb to the top (287 steps), in the rain, and the wind, and the very narrow winding stairs…We, of course, had to take advantage of this

once in a life time opportunity. We discovered, on the way down, of course, that all of the gargoyles that covered the structure were actually characters from various things Scott had written. I have no idea which one I took!

Edinburgh

First day in Edinburgh…and slept in until 9:30! ‘course we didn’t get to bed until the far side of midnight…

Edinburgh Castle was our first destination. This castle is located on the appropriately named, Castle Rock, a large volcanic crag that towers above the area with rocky cliffs and a long gently sloping tale that allows access to the top. These days a winding road called the Royal Mile wends its way up to the castle perched on top. Shops vending local souvenirs, sweets and treats, as well as tartans for every clan are available. Defensively it’s perfect because you could see for miles but unfortunately accessing water was quite problematic throughout the ages. That didn’t stop the Scots: they’ve had a royal castle on the rock since the 12^th century.

Details of Victorian woodworking

The castle did play a role in numerous historical conflicts, served as the Royal Palace at times as well as an armament factory and a prison during various wars (including the American Revolution). It was, of course, changed and built upon by various Kings and rulers over the years, including the addition of elaborate wood carvings, interesting lighting options, and extremely ornate ceilings.

Details of wall (reconstructed) painting

During the 19^th century, several schemes were proposed to rebuild the whole castle in a more “romantic” style. Others favored restoring the various parts of the castle.   Fortunately restoring and preserving won out, and while some modifications had already been implemented, other schemes were abandoned. They did bring a few rooms “back to new” by restoring paintings, and patching and fixing the ceiling sculptures. The rooms are actually still used today for special royal functions.