Culloden Battlefield

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: A visit to the Culloden Battlefield is well worth the trip. The tragic history is on display both inside and outside the visitor center.

Scattered Tombstones

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: Our trip to Scotland was influenced by the series "Outlander". Fascinated by the history, we planned our trip.

Culloden Memorial

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: The visit to the Culloden Battlefield brought home the reality of the events portrayed by the Outlander series.

Culloden Memorial

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: These were real people who fought gallantly for their ideals and freedom.

Culloden Memorial

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: Many were buried them where they fell.

Overview of the battlefield

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: That's the Visitor Center in the distance. One can see how large the battlefield was.

Grave Markers

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: Between 1500 and 2000 Jacobites lost their lives within 1 hour of battle at Culloden.

Crossroad at the battlefield

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: A view of the crossroads on the battlefield.

Culloden Battlefield

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: A long path on the battlefield.

Culloden Battlefield

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: A view of the battlefield with the Visitor Center in the distance on the right and the Leanach Cottage in the far distance on the left.

Pretty stone hedge

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: An old stone wall keeps the wild flora in check.

Leanach Cottage

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: This cottage remains on the Battlefield of Culloden. Back then it was a common architectural structure built on small farms for the family dwelling. At the time of the battle, it was in British territory and was likely used as a field hospital for wounded British soldiers.

Culloden Battlefield

Culloden, Scotland-September 04, 2018: An overview of the Culloden Battlefield with the Leanach Cottage in the distance.

Cawdor Castle

Cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: The front of the beautiful Cawdor Castle which has been in the same family for 600 years. The Dowager Countess Cawdor still lives here.

Cawdor Castle

Cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: "The castle is known for its link to Shakespear's "Macbeth" in which one of the characters is Thane of Cawdor which is fictional as the castle was built many years after the life of the 11th century King Macbeth" - Wikipedia

Entrance to Cawdor Castle

Cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: The first documented date of the castle is 1454, granted to William Calder, 6th Thane of Cawdor. The castle has undergone many transitions and additions since the original structure.

Cawdor Castle Iron Gate

Cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: Looking out to the gardens from the castle. "The iron gate was brought from Lochinorb Castle which was dismantled by William Calder around 1455 on the orders of King James II, after it had been forfeited by the Earl of Moray" - Wikipedia

Panel dated 1672 at the entrance of the castle

Cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: "Coat of Arms of Sir Hugh Campbell and his wife Lady Henrietta Stewart in 1672" - Wikipedia

Cawdor Castle Kitchen

Cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: The kitchen in the castle. I'm guessing that somewhere, unknown to us, is another, more modern kitchen than this one.

Cawdor Castle Kitchen

cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: Look at all those irons! Ugh.

Cawdor Castle Kitchen

Cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: View of the kitchen from the opposite end.

Cawdor Castle Gardens

Cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: The gardens alone are worth the trip. FYI, this castle is very close to Culloden Battlefield -8.5 miles away.

Cawdor Castle Gardens

Cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: Lovely flowers

Cawdor Castle Gardens

Cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: Beautiful array of colors.

Cawdor Castle Gardens

Cawdor, Nairnshire Scotland-September 04, 2018: I wonder how many gardeners they have?

Am Meallan Viewpoint Hiking Trail

Drumnadrochit, Scotland - September 04, 2018: A hiking trail near Highland Bear Lodge with views of the Loch Affric.

Am Meallan Viewpoint Hiking Trail

Drumnadrochit, Scotland - September 04, 2018: Views of Loch Affric from the top.

Am Meallan Viewpoint Hiking Trail

Drumnadrochit, Scotland - September 04, 2018: Mountains form a border on one side of the area.

Am Meallan Viewpoint Hiking Trail

Drumnadrochit, Scotland - September 04, 2018: Hiking back down to the parking area.

Flora on the Am Meallan Hiking Trail

Drumnadrochit, Scotland - September 04, 2018: Pretty foliage on the hiking trail.

Pretty Landscape

Drumnadrochit, Scotland - September 05, 2018: It's almost like a painting with the river, quaint stone bridge and beautiful foliage.

Highland Bear Lodge

Drumnadrochit, Glenurquhart, Scotland - September 05, 2018: View of our lodging at Highland Bear Lodge. A very nice place to stay.

Our bedroom in Highland Bear Lodge

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Bonnie Prince Charlie

A picture of Bonnie Prince Charlie hangs on the wall of our bedroom at Highland Bear Lodge. Speaking with our hosts, I got the feeling that the political rivalry of the Jacobites carries on to this day.
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A very spacious room with great natural light.

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Front entrance to Highland Bear Lodge

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Patio at Highland Bear Lodge

It was a bit too chilly to enjoy the patio, but it was very pretty nonetheless.
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Breakfast at Highland Bear Lodge

We were treated to just about anything one could ask for for breakfast.
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View of the magnificent tall ceilings of the house.

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Spacious common area and well-appointed.

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Beautiful natural light in the common room. Very inviting.

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Books and a fireplace. Very cozy.

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View from the common room through the breakfast area.

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View from inside the breakfast area.

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Beautiful countryside

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Pretty Sheep that look like they have been fluffed at the beauty parlor.

Inverness, Scotland-September 04, 2018: A very defensive ram stares me down and bluff charges me from behind his fence. Sheep farming is a huge economy in Scotland.

Ram on the Defense

Drumnadrochit, Scotland - September 05, 2018: This ram has a heightened sense of alert to defend his ewes. He was very wary of me and did not like me stopping to photograph him.

Highland Bear Lodge

Drumnadrochit, Glenurquhart, Scotland - September 05, 2018: Sideview of our lodging at Highland Bear Lodge.