BY Clay Larroy
Make
the most of your travel experiences.
Taking a cruise is a great way to see many different places when you travel.
Cruises offer many activities and things to do while on the ship, while
offering you the opportunity to explore different locations each time you
arrive at a port. Travel is a great opportunity to learn more things. Time
spent abroad helps you understand and appreciate diverse cultures. In addition,
it encourages an acceptance and tolerance of ways of life that differ from your
own. When
you want to plan a vacation contact me!
Tartan Tails-Scotland
Many visitors enjoy a stay in Inverness, and use this delightful
town as a base of operations for exploring the northern Highlands. One visit
not to be missed is Dunrobin Castle. Just a mile north of Golspie in
Sutherland, this is the largest house in the Northern Highlands. Only about 90
minutes from Inverness, the 189 rooms are filled with family memorabilia, fine
furniture, paintings, and countless treasures on display in the public Drawing
Room and Library, and the more intimate bedrooms and nurseries. The formal gardens
are exquisite, and make sure to take time to visit the 19th century fire engine
- horse-drawn, of course - and the special displays in the old summer house.
Of course the castle has its collection of ghosts and goblins,
but perhaps the true stars are the creatures that magically appear each day
thanks to the fine work of the castle’s resident falconer, Andy Hughes. If you
are lucky, Cherry the Peregrine Falcon will demonstrate just how fast she can
fly - some of her species have been clocked at well over 200 miles per hour!!
Andy has been flying birds of prey since he was 11 years old, and he and his
collection of friends delight visitors to the castle on a regular basis.
Speaking of ghosts and goblins, when you are traveling in areas
that are rough and mountainous, keep your eyes open for one of the most elusive
animals in the world. This small Scottish native has tiny, useless wings, and a
ragged gait caused by its three legs, each a different length. The trick to a
successful hunt is to get the mythical critter down on a flat plain or valley,
where the disfigurement of his legs will cause him to run around in circles,
and then you can catch and bag your haggis. If you are not successful in your
hunt, then the traditional haggis will have to do - a concoction of sweetmeats
and spices boiled in a sheep’s stomach and accompanied by tatties and neeps
(potatoes and turnips to the rest of the world). A good single malt whisky from
the region is instrumental in setting the right tone for the hunt, and for the
feast that will surely follow. Just ask any Scotsman at the annual Robert Burns
Supper, typically held during the week of January 25. The event always includes
music, song, whisky, a recitation of Burns" "Ode Tae a Haggis",
followed by a ceremonial presentation of the main course, rivaling the
appearance of the Thanksgiving Day turkey in a Norman Rockwell portrait.
Speaking of Bobbie Burns, put a visit to Burns Country on your
wishlist. South of Glasgow, travel along the Ayrshire coast and then into Alloway
to visit the Burns Cottage. Walk in the footsteps of Tam O’Shanter and cross
over auld Brig O"Doon, where you’ll hear the tales about Tam’s mare Meg
and her narrow escape from the witches. The poem was written by Burns in 1790,
and tells the tale of a man who stays a little past last call in the local
tavern. In his diminished state, he is dependent on Meg to find their way home
without his help. Along the way, Tam has a close call with Nannie the witch,
who grabs Meg’s tail, and with her "cutty sark", or shirt, flapping
in the wind, tries to bring the two of them down to the ground. Head over to
Inverbervie to see the recent memorial in the shape of the figurehead on the
"Cutty Sark", a ship renowned for her voyages to the East in the tea
trade. You’ll see Nannie herself hanging on to Meg’s tail for dear life.
Inverbervie has close ties to Burns, as his ancestors farmed less than seven
miles from this very spot.
Not too far away is Culzean Castle, perched on a bluff
overlooking the Atlantic where the Cutty Sark once sailed. A tower has been on
this escarpment since 1400, and a written history of the castle has been in
existence since 1569 as the building was expanded by the Kennedy family. In
1945 the top floor of the castle was designated as a guest flat for a very
special man - General Dwight Eisenhower - as thanks from the Scottish people
for his work during WWII. He and his family used the accommodations many times
over the years until his death, and now this special suite is available to
anyone who would like to reserve the rooms for an exceptional experience. The
castle is surrounded by a Deer Park, and management runs a very successful
"adopt a deer" program to keep the herd healthy and vibrant.
So whether admiring the deer in the forest surrounding Culzean
Castle, or searching for the mythical haggis in the rugged Highlands, or
enjoying the march of the penguins at Edinburgh Zoo, experience the animals of
Scotland who have made their mark with heroism, loyalty, and fun. These and
many other Scottish tales, and tails, will be yours to enjoy during your visit
to this stunning country.
Your travel agent can help you plan your Scottish spree, whether
you choose an escorted tour that includes an itinerary to match your wish list,
or an independent fly-drive package that gives you a little more flexibility,
but requires a little more work, both in the planning and in the execution once
on the ground. But on each stop along your journey, keep your eyes and ears
open to spot the animal stars in the area.
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