Water.
Mountains.
The road goes on for a mile or two to Rannoch Station, where it ends and the railroad line begins.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Rannoch Moor
I have written before about the beauty of Rannoch Moor at its western point, where for example the Glencoe Mountains and Loch Tulla are a part of the landscape. Today I have seen its eastern beginnings, and they're quite nice too. Just don't expect me to walk the 12 miles of moors and mountains in between (though I might be persuaded to take the train sometime).
Water.
Mountains.
The road goes on for a mile or two to Rannoch Station, where it ends and the railroad line begins.
Water.
Mountains.
The road goes on for a mile or two to Rannoch Station, where it ends and the railroad line begins.
Loch Rannoch
Loch Rannoch lies just west of Loch Tummel. Rannoch (meaning "fern" in Gaelic) is also the name for the beautiful highlands area stretching from the west coast area of Tyndrum and Glencoe over to these parts; in fact, according to the sign I saw at Rannoch train station, where this road ends, it's only a 12 mile walk across the moors to Glencoe.
These pics were all taken from a field near the western end of the Loch.
I have no idea what this tower is doing out in the middle of the lake.
With some mountains in the background.
In the southwesterly direction, the nature looks a little more forgiving.
Every now and then the sun shines through the clouds and creates magic.
These pics were all taken from a field near the western end of the Loch.
I have no idea what this tower is doing out in the middle of the lake.
With some mountains in the background.
In the southwesterly direction, the nature looks a little more forgiving.
Every now and then the sun shines through the clouds and creates magic.
Queen's View
Had a somewhat mixed day today... great drive, terrific scenery and some nice deer... but also scratched a car in Aberfeldy. More on that later, for now, feast yer eyes on the scenery up at Queen's View, appx 6 miles west of Pithlochry. The lake you're looking at is Loch Tummel.
Iffin you haven't already seen Mrs Brown, do so. Then this image will make more sense.
It is a rare day when the skies in Scotland aren't cloudy in at least one direction.
Not sure if the stripes in the water are pollen or foam or sea monster's drool.
And up on the hillsides, the highland scenery commences.
Iffin you haven't already seen Mrs Brown, do so. Then this image will make more sense.
It is a rare day when the skies in Scotland aren't cloudy in at least one direction.
Not sure if the stripes in the water are pollen or foam or sea monster's drool.
And up on the hillsides, the highland scenery commences.
Quote of the Day
I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.
- Margaret Thatcher
- Margaret Thatcher
Monday, July 14, 2014
Cairngorms National Park
Lastly today, I have some pics taken inside the wonderful Cairngorms National Park. These are the eastern reaches of the Grampian mountains and they are beautiful.
Pretty flowers among the heather.
View east.
And towards the west.
Steep winding roads are the order of the day.
Pretty flowers among the heather.
View east.
And towards the west.
Steep winding roads are the order of the day.
Corgarff Castle
Corgarff Castle was not really a proper castle, more a fortified country house. It wasn't a military stronghold, but its secluded position meant it was at times a hot spot for rebellion, and it saw some action over the years. The British army took over and held it for years, but it fell into disrepair in the late 19th century. I met again one of the nice, elderly ladies who I'd chatted with at Balvenie on Sunday, and we had a good, long talk about this, that and everything. Have I mentioned that I like the Scots?
The castle seen from the parking lot.
It lies inside Cairngorms National Park. The highland landscape around there has a barren beauty to it.
After the Jacobite rebellions, the army took over and turned it into a military barracks. The soldier's lodgings had been returned to at least a resemblance of what they were.
The castle seen from the parking lot.
It lies inside Cairngorms National Park. The highland landscape around there has a barren beauty to it.
After the Jacobite rebellions, the army took over and turned it into a military barracks. The soldier's lodgings had been returned to at least a resemblance of what they were.
Kildrummy Castle
Right. Some pics of the actual castle. Now a ruin, this was reportedly one of the handsomest and most richly equipped buildings in all of Scotland. It was abandoned after the failed Jacobite rebellion of 1716 (the old pretender).
The castle from just down the road.
Bakery.
The chapel on the now vanished second floor.
The great hall.
The castle from just down the road.
Bakery.
The chapel on the now vanished second floor.
The great hall.
A deer at Kildrummy
I finally found the actual Kildrummy Castle today, although my GPS initially sent me off in the wrong direction. I swear, those things are trying to kill me.
The most interesting thing about the place (again) was the wildlife. As I entered the castle grounds, a deer came running across the field to my left, clearly intent on running into the safety of the forest. But just before it was to jump across the fence and disappear, some people came walking out of the forest. After a few seconds of indecisive dittering, it flew back across the field a bit further down and then jumped like mad into the next field, with a steady course for the next wooded area.
Whut? Peopleses?
Must take evasive action!
They might be on my tail!
Run like the wind, Forrest!
One tiny brain and four fast legs.
Whut? Some fat fuck taking pictures of me? Must run some more!
Trees! Safety!
The most interesting thing about the place (again) was the wildlife. As I entered the castle grounds, a deer came running across the field to my left, clearly intent on running into the safety of the forest. But just before it was to jump across the fence and disappear, some people came walking out of the forest. After a few seconds of indecisive dittering, it flew back across the field a bit further down and then jumped like mad into the next field, with a steady course for the next wooded area.
Whut? Peopleses?
Must take evasive action!
They might be on my tail!
Run like the wind, Forrest!
One tiny brain and four fast legs.
Whut? Some fat fuck taking pictures of me? Must run some more!
Trees! Safety!
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Quote of the Day
They tried to make me go to Catholic school, too. I lasted a very short time. When the penguin came after me with a ruler, I was out of there.
- Frank Zappa
- Frank Zappa
Tolquhon Castle
Tolquhon Castle was the latest place I visited today and I'm afraid the increasingly poor weather and ruin fatigue were setting in. There's all sorts of "interesting" things to say about the history and architecture of the castle, but I just couldn't (and can't) be arsed to write another word about it.
The castle.
The old tower, which was the oldest part of the structure.
The great hall.
The castle.
The old tower, which was the oldest part of the structure.
The great hall.
Huntly Castle
Huntly Castle was the seat of Clan Gordon from the mid 1400s to the mid 1600s. The buildings have been reconstructed several times, as is usual with these places, but the main structure was put up in the 1560s to mark the then Earl's promotion to Marquee.
TheEarl Marquee celebrated his promotion by building a new palace and inscribing name, title and year on the wall. Not vain at all, no sirree.
Iffin you can't be arsed to read the wikipedia article, here's a short version.
The building remains largely intact, and you can actually access the turret top right. However, be aware that possibly tens of thousands of millions of billions of swallows have made their nests here and will fly above your head and curse you out in swallow iffin you come too close.
One of the bloodthirsty little featherballs. I believe I have previously stated my fear of having my eyeballs torn out in a flurry of feathers, talons and cold, dark rage.
From the top turret.
Here stood the original wooden castle, which was a Norman 12th century construction. Motte and bailey they were called.
Later tonight is the final match of the FIFA 2014 tournament. Just sayin'.
The
Iffin you can't be arsed to read the wikipedia article, here's a short version.
The building remains largely intact, and you can actually access the turret top right. However, be aware that possibly tens of thousands of millions of billions of swallows have made their nests here and will fly above your head and curse you out in swallow iffin you come too close.
One of the bloodthirsty little featherballs. I believe I have previously stated my fear of having my eyeballs torn out in a flurry of feathers, talons and cold, dark rage.
From the top turret.
Here stood the original wooden castle, which was a Norman 12th century construction. Motte and bailey they were called.
Later tonight is the final match of the FIFA 2014 tournament. Just sayin'.
Auchindoun Castle
Auchindoun Castle is an unmanned ruin that can only be viewed from the outside. So instead of wading across a wet field and risk torrential downpours in the process, I took these pics and fucked of outta there in mah rental car.
Close up.
With more perspective.
Close up.
With more perspective.
Balvenie Castle
I had a busy day today, with five castles (or ruins thereof) to visit. Sadly, I only managed four, since both Google Maps and my completely useless new GPS sent me into a field where it insisted Kildrummy Castle was to my left. The grains begged to differ. I then consulted my paper map book, which put the castle several miles to the southwest, and on my route to Pitlochry tomorrow. So I shall see it then.
Anyway, my first ruin was Balvenie Castle. I arrived shortly before it opened,at 9:30, but that just gave me time to chat with the two middle aged ladies from Historic Scotland. I went in, did the touristy thing and left again. Total time spent must have been well under 30 minutes. The one interesting thing to say about the property, is that the whole area smelled of yeast, as Glenfiddich distillery was just down the road.
The outside of Balvenie Castle.
The shitter. You knows I finds 'em.
The remnants of a frickin' huge oven. Here, they baked bread, roasted animals and boiled various foodstuffs. On average, every adult member of a household ate about two good sized loaves of bread each day. The preferred drink was ale (much weaker than today's version), but the lords and ladies of the house would usually have imported wine.
The great hall.
Anyway, my first ruin was Balvenie Castle. I arrived shortly before it opened,at 9:30, but that just gave me time to chat with the two middle aged ladies from Historic Scotland. I went in, did the touristy thing and left again. Total time spent must have been well under 30 minutes. The one interesting thing to say about the property, is that the whole area smelled of yeast, as Glenfiddich distillery was just down the road.
The outside of Balvenie Castle.
The shitter. You knows I finds 'em.
The remnants of a frickin' huge oven. Here, they baked bread, roasted animals and boiled various foodstuffs. On average, every adult member of a household ate about two good sized loaves of bread each day. The preferred drink was ale (much weaker than today's version), but the lords and ladies of the house would usually have imported wine.
The great hall.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Quote of the Day
People learn something every day, and a lot of times it's that what they learned the day before was wrong.
- Bill Vaughn
- Bill Vaughn
Trip down Glen Etive
I spent Friday night in the nice little resort town of Oban and had a surprisingly splendid evening in the bar of Hotel Kelvin, discussing Scottish independence, folk music, the state of teaching, travel, TV series and lots more. Lots of banter and jokes and a good time was had all round. Highly recommended!
On my way over to Inverness along the A 82 today, I decided to take a detour down to Glen Etive, along a single file lane. I was soon rewarded with mighty views of rivers, streams, grand mountains and deer. Oh yes, deer. I was driving along when I passed a narrow sideroad to a private lodge, and thought I saw a lifelike statue of a deer to my left. Then the statue moved. I stopped the car and got out my camera, desperate to get off a shot before he fled into the bushes. I needn't have bothered, because this guy was in no hurry. He continued stuffing his little snout on grass, not ten feet from my car. He looked up a couple of times to acknowledge my presence, but showed no concern at all.
This was how close he was.
Yum yum.
Devil deer! Aaaaaaaah!
This guy was just cooling it in the middle of a field.
More pics from the valley.
Sho, sho pwetty.
Hot daymn, that place was purdy.
On my way over to Inverness along the A 82 today, I decided to take a detour down to Glen Etive, along a single file lane. I was soon rewarded with mighty views of rivers, streams, grand mountains and deer. Oh yes, deer. I was driving along when I passed a narrow sideroad to a private lodge, and thought I saw a lifelike statue of a deer to my left. Then the statue moved. I stopped the car and got out my camera, desperate to get off a shot before he fled into the bushes. I needn't have bothered, because this guy was in no hurry. He continued stuffing his little snout on grass, not ten feet from my car. He looked up a couple of times to acknowledge my presence, but showed no concern at all.
This was how close he was.
Yum yum.
Devil deer! Aaaaaaaah!
This guy was just cooling it in the middle of a field.
More pics from the valley.
Sho, sho pwetty.
Hot daymn, that place was purdy.
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