Best of Scotland

The Adventures of Lochy and his Clan

Dia Duit! Hello!

Though I dwell in a deep pond in Northern Pennsylvania, I was able to travel with my Clan to Scotland on a "Best of Scotland" Rick Steve's Tour!

I would like to share some of the high points of the adventure.

My Clan

The McMullans

Glasgow! Glasgow is a old and honorable, new and exciting! One can visit museums and go lawn bowling, look at creative architecture and Macintosh Art Nouveau, soaring cathedrals and a collection of transportation through Glasgow's history.

Stirling Castle takes one back to the time of the Stuart kings. After wandering the halls and gardens, it was good to cool tired feet in Loch Lomond on the way to Oban.

One of the Clan was able to put her feet into every loch and stream on the trip!

Loch Lomand, Oban Seaside

Iona, Firth of Forth, St. Andrews

My clan's name, McMullan, means "son of the tonsured servant" also known as a clergy person. Walking on Iona in the steps of St. Columbia connected us with our Scottish ancestors. And, one of the clan is a clergy person!

Oban also welcomes you to walk its seaside shops, discover Dunollie Castle, enjoy a flight of whiskey at the distillery, and visit Mull, Iona, and the puffins of Staffa.

A wee dram... or two... or five... at the Oban Distillery

As we moved into the Highlands, we paused to consider the misty highlands of Glencoe, the "weeping glen". The Clan enjoyed exploring Urqehart Castle where McMullans once resided. Then it was Lochy's turn to celebrate! A boat trip on Loch Ness!

Culloden was a walk into history.

The day was overcast and drizzly, making the weather perfect for considering what happened on the battlefield, and what followed afterwards

What a variety of places to engage in Inverness and the surrounding area. Thoughtful walking under gray skies on the Culloden battlefield...a Highland Cow experience...and a night in a local pub with music, story time, and participating in a kilt demonstration.

Foods to try... haggis...avocado-lime cheesecake...cullen skink soup...scones...tatties...cranachan...whiskeys...local beers...and more!

It was a fascinating morning watching one shepherd and four sheepdogs control a herd of sheep. A wee dram followed a tour of Dalwinnie distillery and bagpipes followed dinner.

Scotland's deep history was active at the crannogs. We got hands-on experience using a foot powered lathe, making yarn with a drop spindle, and watching a crannog being authentically built out in the loch.

Cairngorms National Park

In the Cairngorms National Park, we got close to more hairy coos and red deer. A walk in the woods and afternoon tea on an estate.

St. Andrews

One of the Clan ran on the beach where "Chariots of Fire" was filmed. All of the Clan strolled the historic cathedral of St. Andrew's. Lochy met up with Hamish McHamish, the famous cat of St Andrew's.

So much to see in Edinburgh! Walk through gardens with flower clocks, wander the Royal Mile, explore Edinburgh Castle, take in the fanfare of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, create a Harris Tweed purse "under" the Royal Mile. Our Clan got a different view of the city while running the Edinburgh 5K and Half Marathon.