First of all, two new city names in Scotland that I love: Fintry and Kippen. After breakfast downstairs, we drove towards Ft. William along Loch Lomond. The weather isn't as sunny today as yesterday, but Loch Lomond was still beautiful. Today is cooler and wetter. In several places we had to stop beside the loch for construction projects on the roads, but with such sights to see, we didn't even mind.
We passed by Luss, where one of our bus tours from a past trip visited, and Ardlui, where the bus that was bringing me back from the Isle of Skye to Edinburgh broke down in 2009. Then we headed into the mountains near Glen Etive. We stopped for photos in Glen Coe, site of the massacre of the MacDonalds--such a horribly sad story. The mountains were colorful even in overcast weather.
Into Ft. William where we had lunch at McDonalds then shopped at Morrisons before checking into our hotel, the Premier Inn. We then walked through the downtown area, which I had never seen, and along the water before going to the West Highland Museum.
This was a great collection of artifacts from local and Scottish history. I was in Room 2 when I saw that they had a specially made brochure for Outlander artifacts mentioned in the series. So I collected one from the entrance and began again. Outlander is so full of historical facts and based on actual history so it was easy to correlate the artifacts with the story. Gaberlunzie Tokens or Beggars Badges, a plan of Fort William, Standing stones, plants and Rowan trees used as protection against witchcraft, clothing, swords, and a whole room devoted to the Jacobite Rebellion with the death mask of Bonnie Prince Charlie, a painting showing women doing the wauking, a whole case full of Flora MacDonald items, shield used at Cullden, and, most amazing of all, an anamorphic painting of Bonnie Prince Charlie which could only been seen if looking at its reflection in a glass from a certain angle. This was a secretive way of his followers to show their devotion. The tray upon which the goblet would be placed just had what looked like a glob of paints upon it, but when a goblet was placed in the center, Prince Charles's face would appear in a reflection on the goblet. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the artifacts.
Planning to go to Brewer's Fayre for dinner.
Later: Ray accidentally ordered garden peas instead of mushy peas for me--explanation: over here at lots of eating establishments, one person goes to the bar to place order for the table--so no mushy peas yet, but the garden peas were delicious.
Jam doughnuts in the room for dessert. Report on Lemon Cupcake search--no sightings yet.
Even the roundabouts are decorated, this one with birds:
Loch Lomond:
Into Glencoe area
where, in 1692, 38 MacDonalds were slaughtered by government troops:
In the Three Sisters area:
At the museum in Fort William:
The anamorphic painting of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Process used by DaVinci in the 1st century. This one used to toast the Prince in secret:
ice cream store we visited:
Oh my, something called Bubble & Squeak? Even the name sounds horrible:
(diced potatoes, shredded greens, with soft poached egg on top and covered in béarnaise sauce)
