Microblog
Today, we explored some of the area around Nairn and Inverness, starting with a guided tour of the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Center. As an American, I couldn’t help but compare Culloden to Gettysburg—both were decisive battles that turned the tide of a bloody civil war. (Balloch, Scotland, United Kingdom)
Our other stop of the day was Urquhart Castle, a thoroughly ruined castle on the shores of Loch Ness. (Lewiston, Scotland, United Kingdom)
The first stop along our route was Eilean Donan castle, a wonderful little castle perched on an island, and strategically situated where three lochs meet. (Dornie, Scotland, United Kingdom)
Yesterday was a travel day, driving from the north edge of the Isle of Skye to
Nairn (just east of Inverness). It was a long day, but we did manage to squeeze in a few stops.
After our driving tour, we had lunch in Uig (where I continued my comparative study of the meat pies of Scotland), then headed to Portree to see the village and the brightly painted shops that adorn its harbor.
The final stop on our driving tour was the Quiraing, a pass over the Trotterish range that travels the length of the peninsula. From the pass, you have dramatic views of the countryside.
Next we stopped at an overlook for “Kilt Rock”, so named because the basalt pillars in the face of the cliff remind people of the pleats in a kilt.
Next we stopped at Lealt Gorge, which was cut into the underlying rock by a waterfall on the River Lealt. It also offers a beautiful view of the sea peaking through the gorge, with mainland Scotland on the horizon.
