Culloden
Looking upon Scottish history a recurring theme is the resistance to British rule. James Stuart was a Scot who had become the King of England. His reign was contested, because of his commitment to Catholicism in a mostly Protestant country. After having a son James VII the Brits were concerned that this next in line would thus continue the path to a Catholic country. King James was dethroned by William who was married to James‘ daughter Mary.
James VII had a son, Charles, and he started a rebellion in Scotland to regain his family’s right to the throne. This group was known as Jacobites and did well at fighting against the British in Scotland. They even went to an English town called Derby. This may have been too aggressive and led to the battle of Culloden.
Opposed to battles in the mountainous Highlands, this flat battleground put the Jacobites at a disadvantage. On April 16, 1746, the Jacobite rebellion and the battle ended. There was a Fraser headstone at the field, which is the surname used for the main character of the Outlander.
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/culloden
Loch Ness
I love a good myth and the Loch Ness monster is that. We visited this dark water lake hoping to spot a beast. No such luck on this day. In 1933, a man named George Spicer claimed to see a creature that had a long thin neck and large body. They printed the story in a newspaper and led to other supposed sightings. There were even blurry photos that turned out to be further identified as a seal or otter. Whether Nessie exists has not been confirmed, but has interested the tourists.
https://www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/loch-ness/things-to-do/nessie
The Isle of Skye
This area has been described as otherworldly landscapes. Known for jagged mountains, the Cullin Hills. One of the unique rock formations is called The Old Man of Starr. Another noted site are the waterfalls, referred to as the Fairy Pools. When visiting Scotland, the Islet of Skye is a bucket list item for anyone who is a hiker, photographer, nature lover, or history buff.
The major town is Portree. It has all the things one would look for in a modern society. The population is 10,000 and many speak the traditional Gaelic, which is specific to Scotland. The island is the largest and most northern in the Inner Hebrides.
I learned a lot about Scottish history and its stunning beauty. Seeing the battlefields of Culloden, the home of Nessie and the landscapes of the Isle of Skye is as complete a touring day as one could have. We returned to an authentic Scottish dinner at the Laggan Hotel. Tomorrow will be another visiting experience that will be a worthwhile exploration.
