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Date Posted: 23:14:56 07/07/08 Mon
Author: Erin R.
Subject: The magic of Scotland

I have been lurking on these boards for years. Mostly on the reading recommendation boards but I thought it was time that I would add my insight into Scotland. I have now been there 4 times and before I begin I should probably tell you that about 10 years ago I read “The Books” for the first time and if love at first sight could be bought in a book store than our lovely DG has officially cornered the market on it.

I actually received “The Books” as a gift and having Scottish heritage I thought I would give them a try. My Scottish heritage is on my mothers side and not something that I thought a whole lot about. I had always felt that something was missing in my life and after reading these books I figured out just what that was……… Scotland

As many of us do I read “The books” and then set off to beg and borrow my way to Scotland. Now 4 trips later I want to give you an insight to Scotland that you may not often see on this board. Several people tell you where to go and what to see and what not to miss but what no one is telling you is what you can expect to feel in Scotland.

I will not bore you all with a detailed list of every place we went but on this last trip me, my husband and my best friend and her husband went. My husband and my best friend are just like me, completely addicted to this country. So let me just tell you about a few of the highlights.

The Tattoo – There are few words that can describe this, we sat next to an elderly couple, spilling with Scottish pride from their pores. The elderly gentleman I assume must have been a piper because he hummed to all the pipe tunes Very few things prepare you for the massed pipe bands that parade in the esplanade with the lit torches mounted on the walls of the castle, the sound of the pipes make you heart skip a beat. I watched in awe, completely engrossed at the movements, the costumes, they were perfectly in synch with each other. At one point as the pipes play Auld Langs Syne, everyone joins hands and sings, being American we just don’t do that here but this dear old man grabbed my hand and it was as if a thousand years of Scottish pride just jolted like electricity thru my veins. To end the evening a lone piper is visible on the parapet. Tears streamed down my face as he played. I didn’t even notice the old man watching me. He turned to me and said “It seems to me lass that you have found your way back home”

So if you are planning a trip to Scotland be prepared to have a rush of raw emotions exposed. I thank Scotland for enabling me to feel again. I was able to feel like a child exploring a new fresh world. The grass is greener and the people are wonderful and the history will grab a hold of your gut and twist you in ways you never thought possible.

So in case you are wondering, after 10 years I have visited 4 times, I would love for it to be more but the exchange rate is getting worse everyday. My first trip was in 2001 and it was 1 pound = 50 cents usa. Now I was just at the airport the other day and we were at 1 pound = 44 cents so since I have a family to feed and a house to heat I doubt I will be seeing Scotland for sometime. Thru a Celtic Society I ended up meeting my best friend and travel pal, she is just as in love with Scotland as I am, I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to walk thru castles ruins with your best girlfriend pretending you are wearing long flowing gowns and that you must prepare for the large clan gathering that the Laird is having. We have spent hours at Dunnottar Castle playing the “Can you imagine game” I also met my husband, a piper and he runs an 18th century re- enactment group, yes we reenact Culloden. If you ever really want that experience of really being there, let me know. We do these events with a group out of Canada and they are amazing, On the first night the Clan Chiefs pledge there loyalty to Bonnie Prince Charlie in front of a huge fire. Everyone is dressed in Scottish 18th century attire. It is truly amazing.

PS I am super picky and I don’t usually recommend things but If anyone is looking for an amazing castle stay please check out Borthwick Castle, about 10 miles outside of Edinburgh. The staff is amazing and they take you on a tour of the castle after dinner and tell you ghost stories. It is very reasonable for a castle stay. Mary Queen of Scots stayed there. And the bed rooms are beautiful. If you like things a bit on the scary side, stay in the Red Room, that is where my husband and I stayed. And the room has a haunting history.

Also there is a little B&B in Stonehaven close to Dunnottar Castle called the Beach Gate Guest House. This is one of the best places I have ever stayed. It is right on the water and the owners are so nice….. Best breakfast I have ever had in Scotland.

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