Monsters, weddings and fabulous birds.

We left Inverness at 8.30 and drove to Loch Ness where we boarded a very smart boat to cruise down the Loch to Urquhart Castle. This castle was destroyed in the 1540's, but it was a spectacular ruin. The morning was cool with low cloud which made the scenery looks running. We did not see the monster, unfortunately. Oh well, maybe next time. At Urquhart Castle they had a reconstructed trebuchet which they believe was one of the weapons used to destroy the castle.

 

We drove on to the town of Beauly which had an ancient priory (11th centuryish). It was very picturesque. It was the day of the Beauly Gala, their local fete, and the whole town was out enjoying themselves. There were motorbike and tractor displays. One of the bikes was a 1919 Douglas, which was unrestored. It still went, as the owner demonstrated. It was amazing!

We drove on to the town of Dornoch. This is the town where they conducted the last witch burning in Scotland. It also has the smallest cathedral in the country. This is where Madonna had her son Rocco baptised. It is a very popular place for weddings and such like. We saw a wedding party here in 2013 and there was another today.

After lunch we went to Dunrobbin Castle. This is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Sutherland who were the original owners of much of the north of Scotland. They were responsible for the Highland clearances in this area where they removed the tenant farmers (by burning down their cottages) and replacing them with sheep. The was a falconry display here which was absolutely incredible. Andrew, the falconer, rescues injured and distressed birds of prey and returns them to the wild. He also breeds them to replenish the wild stocks. He flew an owl, a falcon, a peregrine falcon and a harrier hawk. The birds were spectacular.

 

 

 

 

We then drove on to Thurso, the only town on the north coast of Scotland. We are staying here for 2 nights so that we can cross to the Orkney Islands. It is a very strange hotel, all stairs up and down and round and round, and many fire doors to open before you find your room. I think it was several buildings which were knocked together to form the hotel. This is why there are so many different levels.

 

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