After our wonderful weekend exploring Ireland, we all got back together and embarked on a five-day tour through the Highlands of Scotland with the MacBackpacker's tour company. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend taking this tour. The company is wonderful and it is truly a lot of fun.
There was so much that we did on this trip that I couldn't possible write about all of it, so you'll have to follow the commentary on the pictures. All I do have to say is that no picture can capture the utter beauty that is the Highlands! You'll just have to go see it in person yourself :)
First stop: The Firth of Forth Rail and Car Bridges
Then we went to Hermitage. Beautiful sight of tall trees, water falls, and an opium den--no longer used of course.
Our tour guide Duncan! Awesome and nice guy. Also shared a lot of history and knowledge of Scotland with us!
Waterfalls!!!
The Opium Den
We then stopped at the city of Pitlochry for a lunch break and a walk around town. Back on the bus, we passed around a bottle of Scottish whiskey which we all drank from so that we can officially be a clan.
We then went to the Ruthven Barracks and got a lesson from Duncan on how to wrap your own kilt just like a Jacobite!
Lay out the fabric, take half of it and begin to make pleats.
Shelby acted as our model. It creates a great and warm kilt that can be warn several different ways.
It is our groups tradition to get a picture in those windows
Ruthven Barracks grounds
Next stop was the Culloden Battlefield were they had the famous Jacobite battle--You can just imagine Braveheart here.
They even had highland cows or "Hairy Coos" as the Scottish call them.
Next was the Balnuaran of Clava--Burial sight and area like Stonehenge
Our final stop of the day was to the infamous Loch Ness. Although we did not see Nessie, we definitely jumped into the cold and rocky waters!
Group picture before jumping in
Right after jumping into the loch--so cold but so awesome!
Shelby and me freezing our butts off--but still happy!
There is a man there who has been living on the shores for almost thirty years in a caravan. He makes his money selling clay creations of Nessie on top of rocks from the beach. I of course bought one!
It was so beautiful there!
The next day we started off by going to the Clottie Well. Here, people come to this spiritual well to dunk articles of clothing or cloth of people who need to be healed or for problems they are having.
Clootie Well itself
The next stop on the tour was Chanonry Point on the Moray Firth. Just a short sea view for our group.
Rogie Falls was next, where we got to cross a bridge over a waterfall where it is popular for salmon to be jumping. We only saw one or two though.
For lunch, we ate picnic style at the amazing Glen Docherty. Classic Highland scenery.
Then, in true Scotland fashion we climbed the trails up a hill at Beinn Eigne to see some Scotland Highland scenery.
Then we went to the Eilean Donan Castle--Castle in the movie Made of Honor and 007
It was one of the girl's birthdays and we surprised her with a birthday cake!
That night, we went out to a Scottish Pub, Saucy Mary's for some drinks and dancing while a local cover band played some awesome music. It was one of the most fun nights out and a great way to celebrate Darby's birthday.
The girls wanted to play dress up with me and straightened my hair and did my makeup
We even had a hostel cat! Hermie! Super cute and friendly cat.
Look to the next blog for more information on the next three days of our Highlands trip.
Look to the next blog for more information on the next three days of our Highlands trip.
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