Scotland, June 20-July 6, 2002
Scotland, June 20 - July 6, 2002 - Walking trip with Ann & Frank Porter, Alan & Cecily Morse. June 20 - We arrive at Glasgow airport, met by the Porters. Go into town and get Jack's vest, walk around, visit bookstore & have pleasant dinner; June 21 - Leave Glasgow & drive to St. Boswell's in the Borders; We stop at this castle (Frank is crazy about fortified homes! then have a tour of Innerleithen (wonderful printer's shop run by the National Trust); Ann walks Innerleithen.
Innerleithen. We watch soccer at lunch. All Scotland cheers Brazil's victory over England! Last of 12 cakes she sold that morning; Sir Walter Scott's view, near Dryburgh Abbey.
Our hotel on the Abbey grounds, lovely view of the Tweed; Sir W. Scott's tomb.
Wedding of 2 Americans at the Abbey altar.
Saturday, June 22 - We start the touring day (after pre-breakfast walk along the Tweed) in Melrose, Abbey town.
Contains heart of Robert the Bruce.
After lunch we climb Eildon Hills above Melrose; Get caught in rain; and in incredible point-to-point race.
Late afternoon tour of Jedburgh Abbey
Sunday, June 23 - Walk up hills behind hotel, and see statue of William Wallace in woods, then up to Scott's view; Gorgeous Abbey trees; Frank & Jack go into town for church.
Afternoon, long walk in country, path closed to hoof-and-mouth, so we have to pound the hot pavement; Great views; Ann picks us up in the commodious blue van.
Nester on Abbey roof; Ann & I take a last look at the Abbey.
Some final shots from Jedburgh Abbey.
Monday, June 24 - We drive to Ft. William, whence came Jack's McMillan ancestors; Corpach (now Ft. William suburb) - McMillan Church & burial ground,
Tons of McMillans - which are ours? Cameron area; Great fish at dinnerspot on water.
Tuesday, June 25 - We do some McMillan research, while Frank climbs Ben Nevis, highest point in Great Britain; Views of Ft. William; Ben Nevis.
Wednesday, June 26 - We leave Ft. William & of course, stop at castle outside town (Inverlochy?); Situated on Caledonian Canal which McMillan's helped build, giving them cash to emigrate when they were kicked off land to make room for sheep; Stop off at Cameron House, these were the overlords of the McMillans.
We stop for lunch in Pitlochry; Allison & friends of the Porters who used to own Skybost House on Skye & now have restaurant in Pitlochry; Rain follow sun, always.
Dinner at Dalmunzie House on Wednesday; Thursday, June 27 - Waiting Morse arrival, we take a long, rainy, windy, sunny walk up glen at Dalmunzie; Ann crawls to the top! Jack is blown away and periodically takes cover on hillside under Heather; A rain suit is a must for Scotland; Lake at top of glen with 50mph winds blowing the top off the waves.
Friday, June 28 - We take a wee walk in a vertical meadow near Dalmunzie. The boys trap shoot 'til lunch (Jack's a star!); Then we head off to Dunkeld for the afternoon; Dunkeld magnolia.
Dunkeld, lovely church on river.
We cross river at Dunkeld to visit Birnam & Beatrix Potter Garden.
Saturday, June 29 - We travel to Balmoral to tour grounds, stables & a couple of rooms; Numerous specimen trees from throughout the Empire; The old tourists in the flower garden; The greenhouse and cutting gardens.
We leave Balmoral. River outside castle; We tour another fortified house (Frank really gets excited by these).
Then on to another castle ruin; With tea at hotel on other side of the ruins.
Sunday, June 30 - Church in Pitlochry, tour of Edradour Whisky (smallest in Scotland), then Blair Castle, the farewell dinner; Netherlands couple; Monday, July 1 - We drive to St. Andrews with Morses (lunch & sightseeing), then to Edinburgh for two nights.
Wednesday, July 3 - We take train from Edinburgh to Birmingham, meet Fritz & Julia. Go to Elton John concert on Wednesday, sightsee Thursday, with a play that night, then Friday, July 5 - Go to Great Wilbraham near Cambridge where they live, see horseracing museum in Newmarket, dinner at mill restaurant, then fly home July 6.
