into the highlands - Part 2 - Inverness and Culloden

Days 7-8

Day 7 found us delving deeper into the Highlands culture and history. We wound our way to Inverness for a 2 day stay that started with the pilgrimage to the Culloden Battlefield. We wondered among the ghosts of the Highlanders as we heard the chilling story of the defeat if Bonny Prince Charles and the end of an era in Scottish history.  It was here I was able to thread together our family history, why my great-grandfather’s family, Highlanders, were resettled in America. It was a sobering day. That evening, we were able to enjoy a local folk music festival an outdoor park near our hotel. The beautiful Scottish folk songs underscored the tragic impact of the Battle of Culloden on the Highlander way of life.

On day 8, we spent the morning visiting a local highland whiskey brewery high atop a mountain overlooking the Highlands. Surely, this must be the most gorgeous stop? (Alas, I was running out of photo storage on my phone trying to document the most beautiful spot in Scotland.) That afternoon we had meet the “Hairy Coos” the Scottish Highlander along with the beautiful Red Deer of Scotland. Throughout our trip, certain members of our clan were concerned about an onslaught of midgies. MG’s clan partner on the bus was the most prepared for said onslaught and provided much entertainment for the rest of the group (see picture).