"Ah Ha" Moments & Pictures

     You know that moment when you are traveling and you see something, hear something, or experience something that makes you stop and say "Wow". That moment you know you will never forget. The memory that will always be linked to that vacation. I had 2 of those moments in Scotland that will be forever inked in my memory.
     The first moment was at Edinburgh Castle. We had tea time in a private room above the gates of the castle and I wandered out to the balcony and surprisingly there was not anyone else outside. I walked around the balcony overlooking the city and all of a sudden I heard bagpipes! I had to be imagining it! I listened closely and I really heard them! I heard bagpipes in the distance! It was a magical moment to be standing above Edinburgh Castle - all by myself - listening to bagpipes.
     My second "Ah Ha" moment was our last night in Scotland. Jen and I went to Biddy Mulligans, a local pub in the Grassmarket. There was live music that night so we sat in a big booth in the window listening to the musician and drinking Tennants, a local Scottish beer. We sat there talking and I looked out the window and the view was exactly what I would imagine a night in Scotland to be...it was drizzling outside and I could see a traditional red phone booth in the middle of the Grassmarket and everything was a glow from the beautiful trees adorned with white lights. All of a sudden The Kooks song, Seaside, began playing inside Biddy Mulligans. I have loved that song since my freshman roommate at Clemson, Ashley, introduced me to the British band. In that moment, I felt like a local; like it was my local pub and I was listening to my favorite local band.
     Those moments in Scotland will be engrained in my memory forever and when I think of those moments, I know I will remember that Wow feeling like it was the first time. I will remember the awe I felt of being in a new country exploring and learning about a new culture. Travel opens your eyes and makes you realize what an amazing world we live in; what an amazing Creator we have.

Now, here are a few of my favorite pictures from Scotland...

Scottie in a whisky shop window

Elderly people crossing signs in every town

Taste of Scotland with CIE Tours - Day 2

April 22, 2012 - Loch Lomond, Luss, Loch Ness, Nairn

       I have to say my favorite part of the Menzies Hotel in Glasgow was the shower in our room! My roommate asked me if I was washing a boat in the shower because I wouldn't get out! After we were squeaky clean, we experienced our first traditional "full breakfast" at a Scottish hotel. The Menzies offered a huge variety of food from sausage, bacon, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, baked beans, dates, and potato scones. Have you ever had mushrooms and baked beans for breakfast? Personally I prefer Cheerios, but I had to make the best of a croissant and scrambled eggs.

        We headed North to Loch Lomond. Maybe I just live in a bubble, but I have not heard this infamous Loch Lomond song everyone was talking about! We wandered around this adorable little village, Luss, that was on Loch Lomond. The town had 1 Bed and Breakfast, 1 store, and 1 restaurant. Every little cottage looked the same. Surprising fact, we learned that the Scottish people have a slight obsession with garden decor! There were nomes and statues covering every square inch of their yards! My one thought as we wandered the town - Where do the kids go to school!? I never saw a school!          

 

We stopped for lunch in the town of Glencoe. To be such a small town, there were several hotels. We toured the Isle of Glencoe hotel which sat on another lake  loch. The hotel had beautiful scenery but it was nothing fancy by any means. After lunch we prepared for our hunt for the Loch Ness Monster! First stop upon arriving in the Loch Ness village was to get some food for the hunt, a Nessie chocolate bar! We cruised Loch Ness for an hour and I think I spotted Nessie! What do you think?

                                              

       We finished up our monster hunting with some souvenirs and loaded back on the coach to drive to Nairn. We drove over the beautiful hills of the Scottish Highlands and through the picturesque town of Inverness. I would love to go back and spend time in Inverness! We spent the night in Nairn, a seaside town south of Inverness.
       The Newton Hotel was our home for the night. Charlie Chaplin is rumored to have adored the Newton Hotel. He spent many of his summers there. Our rooms were charming and spacious. We were treated to a special Highlands Evening with traditional Scottish food (more Haggis), whisky, traditional Scottish dance, and bagpipes. The dancers were phenomenal! The girls were only 13 and 15 but they danced like professionals! Now I'll be honest and say that I'm not a big fan of bagpipes...ok, that's putting it mildly...I hate bagpipes. However, in Scotland, they seem only appropriate and they were magical!