How stereotypical is this? A kilt store next to a bagpipe store.
Babak reading by the window at our first B&B.
Remember those cows that were strewn across NY? Looks like they've migrated to Scotland.
Alas we didn't find any sculptures of highland cows. They're really hairy. Here's a baby one:
Then we went down to the old Templar Church of Roslyn (of da Vinci Code fame). Check out the scowly-growlies above the door.
Some more from Roslyn. Seriously weird. For one thing, why is death trying to kill his foot?
Hmmm.
Sheep. Yup, they got sheep here, lots of 'em. Bahhh.
At the Scone Palace, these loud peacocks were particularly friendly.
Also at the palace was a really bush maze. First time I'd been in one where you actually get lost...
But eventually we figured it out and made it to the racy sculpture in the center.
The palace itself. Doesn't this picture look like the "upgrade palace" page in Civilization? This was one of those palaces that was still inhabited. I think the Lord was upstairs when we were there.
It was hell getting out of that teapot.
Babak reading by the window again.
Moo
Art imitating art.
One of many waterfalls we saw. This one involved a short hike, and was best seen from these abandoned hermit caves.
The lovely town of Elgin.
So that's where all the bacon came from...
Couple things to notice here. First: the name of the aisle is "Crisps, Nuts, Nuts". Next, the brand of "crisps" (chips) is "Latinos." Great Scots.
Babak had an epiphany.
Claudia wishes she were taller.
Sunset was at 9PM, and the sky was still light until 10:30 or so.
This is the Isle of Skye - crazy terrain. The cliffs in the distance are called "Kilt"
On the way back from Skye. It's pretty much breathtaking any where you look, any time. And if you don't like the lighting, just wait 5 minutes.
Imagine: it was even more amazing in the direction she was pointing.
Nummy scallops.
Dramatic castle number 17.
Giants are huge here too, almost the size of a mountain really.
St. Andrews: first golf course on the planet. It's still boring though.
Random street.
Same street, this time with a rainbow. Rainbows were as rare as castles and funny accents.
Yup, a castle. This one is the one that the Queen Mother grew up in.
This is where we camped our second to last night - hiked a few miles from the road with no one around. Let's hear it for Open Access laws. It looks like nice weather, but in about 15 minutes it starts snowing, and the winds got so strong that they snapped the tent-poles.
This is during the winds. We're only smiling because that was the expression on our face when the cold front moved in, and our faces just froze this way.
