Saturday, July 13, 2013

July 3, 2013 Stirling Castle, Doune Castle, Inveraray Castle, Loch Lomond, and the town of Luss

Another stop at Stirling Castle built by England to control all of Scotland. Built at the most narrow point of Scotland where there is a short distance between two rivers that run in opposite directions to the two coasts. Control this castle and you control Scotland.

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Doune Castle - Monty Python MovieA visit to Doune Castle made famous by the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Did not find the Black Knight or any French defenders or the giant Trojan Rabbit, but it was great fun.

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Below, the beautiful Scottish countryside going up to the point where the Highlands begin. This area of Scotland is very sparsely populated. There are only 5,000,000 living in all of Scotland and almost 2,000,000 live in the greater metropolitan areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The remaining 3,000,000 are sparsely spread about the countryside.

DSC07013DSC07014DSC07017DSC07018DSC07019DSC07020Bird eating at a feeder.

Green Welly Stop and CafeVan is going around a blind corner that has no signal.  Very cautiously.

Green Welly Stop and Cafe

Below, a stop once again at the “Green Welly” for lunch.

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Edward’s Mac and cheese and Elaine’s pulled beef sandwich.

Green Welly Stop and CafeGreen Welly Stop and CafeGreen Welly Stop and CafeElaine with the wooden “Welly!”

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Below, the Scottish countryside, as good as it gets.

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We arrive at Inveraray Castle.

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DSC07059Inveraray Castle is one of the sites used for Downton Abbey. In the last season it was the Scottish summer home to which all the family went.

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If you saw last season Downton Abby, you will recognize the castle.

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Below, the rooms of Inveraray Castle.

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Below, the weapons room in the castle.

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DSC07060DSC07061DSC07062Amazing collection of drums used in various tattoos (Scottish military homecomings).

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Below, the old kitchen in Inveraray Castle which you will recognize from Downton Abby scenes.

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Above, the spice cabinet in the kitchen. Every spice and condiment is carefully labeled. They were very expensive items to have for cooking.

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Above, I would be happy with the collection of copper cookware in the castle.

DSC07071DSC07072DSC07073DSC07074DSC07075Left, a map showing the location of the castle in relationship to the town. Below, the grounds of the castle.

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DSC07087  A heard of black sheep on the Castle grounds.

Below, departing photos of the castle.

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Below, the road over the pass between two valleys. Referred to as “Rest and be thankful” park, after making it through the pass.

DSC07093DSC07094"Rest and be Thankful" ParkDSC07096DSC07097DSC07098DSC07100DSC07101DSC07102Fencing to protect against the many rock slides in the area.

Below, we arrive at Loch Lomand one of the prettiest lakes in Scotland and the inspiration for the beautiful song of the same name written by a Scottish soldier the night before he was executed by the English.

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We arrive at the small Scottish village of Luss on the shores of Loch Lomand.

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Below, this young man jumped in for a swim in the frigid waters of the Loch.

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At Luss with Loch Lomand in the background.

DSC07117DSC07118DSC07119DSC07120DSC07121 Edward had to check how cold the water would be in this lake.

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Above, an excellent ice cream shop in the village of Luss.

DSC07126DSC07127DSC07128Odd sculpture in the middle of the motorway.

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Crossing over The Clyde River in Glasgow on our return to Edinburgh.

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