Where Are They?

Song - Fallen Through Time from Outlander

Craigh na Dun

Mr. B and I took an amazing trip to England and Scotland in the Spring of 2017.  I did a lot of family tree research and it was wonderful to see the towns, churches, pubs and shops where my relatives spent time. 

Several of the places we stopped at were related to the books and TV series Outlander. The place above Craigh na Dun is in Scotland and it is the opening scene to the series where the main character Claire travels back in time through a standing stone. It was so tranquil to see and I'm loving it but Mr. B is shrugging his shoulders saying "where are the standing stones?"  Oops - they were just props and I told him that at home but I guess he forgot......

**ladies - if you don't know about Outlander just Google "Sam Heughan"

Hopes, Dreams & Goldfish

On Wednesday we drove from Inverness to Stirling with a few stops among the way. One was a Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore.  There were crofts with peat burning fires and an interpreter in period dress. 

* they did some filming of Outlander here

 

Long walk between the various "villages" but a fascinating view of life in the highlands. 

 

Next we headed for the location of the Standing Stones from Outlander.  From my computer at home, it looked like a little half hour detour off the main highway at Kinnloch Rannoch but in reality it was a couple hour side trip - oops!  But we made it to the filming spot, tranquil and just like in the movies I'm loving it but Mr. B is shrugging his shoulders saying "where are the standing stones?"  Double oops - they were just props and I told him that but I guess he forgot......

**ladies - if you don't know about Outlander just Google "Sam Heughan" 

  

Onto Drummond gardens and Doune Castle but we were starving and ate at a little French Bistro listening to Johnny Cash music. Amazing!  Drove to our hotel in Stirling and we're welcomed with an elderly tour group from Alabama and a hotel that could be in anywhere USA.  From the outside it looked like a historic Medieval building but inside it looked like Caesar's Palace.  We made the best of it and walked up the street to the Holy Rude Cemetery where Jim found some "Baird's" and we both found some historic gravestones.  Heading back down the hill we went to Nicky Tams Pub where the female bartenders give you a back massage as well as pour you a pint. 

It was open mic night so I skeedaddled Mr. B right out of there!

In the morning we headed to Edinburgh with several stops along the way. 

 

The Callendar House where Mary Queen of Scotts marriage agreement was signed.  

 

And Linlithgow which was mostly in ruins but Mary Queen of Scotts was born here

 

Sorry to leave you in suspense but I will explain the title tomorrow!

Ancient Standing Stones

Tuesday morning we experienced Stonehenge.  It was the perfect sultry temperature and we were able to enjoy the stones before the crowds arrived. 

 

It was begun in 2,500-3,000 bc and had many uses.  Amazing energy to be felt here even if it is somewhat touristy.  The entire time we were there we heard blasts going off near that clump of trees in the far right of the photo above. 

 

This was due to England raising its security to "critical" after the Manchester bombing just the day before. Apparently Stonehenge is near a military camp because as we left, we saw tanks, helicopters and signs like the one above warning you to watch for tanks crossing the road. 

 

Next we headed to the Avebury Stones.  Here the stone circle is so large that it encircles the entire village and there are sheep mowing the grass and people enjoying the stones & sheep.  

Mr. B was eating in front of that half-timbered, thatched roof restaurant in the background but I couldn't sit still as I wanted to take photos and see the sheep.  

 

 

 Next was the little village of Lacock.  It has been used for many TV shows & movies as it is faithful to the era.  We enjoyed coffee & blueberry ice cream here and I won't tell you who had what!!!

We spent the night in Castle Combe, a picture postcard village with a trout stream running through. 

You can See more "standing stones" in the photos above although I believe these stones are placed by masons to form houses and churches and bridges!!!

We drove over the Bristol Channel to get to Wales so we could visit Tintern Abbey.  

 

I cannot begin to describe to you how enchanting this place truly is. Maybe even more so with most of it destroyed, it truly spoke to both Mr. B & myself with its powerful presence.  I may have shed a few tears....

Heading back to the Cotswolds' we attempted to see the gardens at Highgrove but they turned us away because we  didn't have previous reservations.  

 

I didn't know it would be so diffficult to see a few flowers!  They wanted us to open our "bonnet" & trunk with guns drawn! Yikes!

 

Time for a rest at our hotel "the oldest inn in England" c947.  

 

From Lord & Lady Mac A'Bhaird!!!

Word of the day - Araf (Welsh - sounds like arr-arf ) = slow down