| We checked out of our B&B and headed over to Craigmillar Castle. This is one of Wayne's and my favorite castles, and we wanted to share it with Wayne's parents. The castle is very fairy-book in style and appearance, and it is a partial ruin, with areas of intact staircases and ceilings, and other areas open to the sky. It makes for a very picturesque scene. There are lots of jackdaws nesting in the top of the castle, which is also fun. Craigmillar Castle is where Mary Queen of Scots retired not long after the murder of her secretary and close friend David Riccio by her husband, Lord Darnley. Darnley's murder was supposedly planned at Craigmillar. |
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After touring Craigmillar, we headed up to Stirling. We used our Historic Scotland Explorer Tickets to get in to Stirling Castle for a very quick overview, and to have lunch. It was another moderately misty day, so the views from the castle weren't as good as they sometimes are. We went through the imposing gates and back to the Great Hall, to see the impressive restoration of that building. We looked down on Stirling from the castle walls. |
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From Stirling, we headed towards Glencoe, with a stop at Doune Castle, known as the "Monty Python" castle for its use in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Doune has a history as a castle of the royals, and is quite an extensive and fascinating building. One wing is partially furnished, while the other wing is empty. They were setting up for a wedding in the furnished wing when we arrived - it looked like it would be a lovely setting for a wedding.
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We pressed on from Doune to reach one of our favorite places, Glencoe, before
dark. Glencoe holds a dark place in the hearts of many Scots because of the
history there - many MacDonalds were massacred there by the Campbells in a
violation of the rules of hospitality - they rose up and killed their hosts
in their sleep. Despite this horrific history, Glencoe is a breathtakingly
beautiful place, surrounded by stunning mountain peaks. Photos never do it
justice.
From here we moved north, staying the night at the Smiddy House in Spaen Bridge and eating in our first pub, the Commando. The jacket potatoes were excellent.
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