More Standing Stones - Stornoway, Scotland

The first thing that comes up on many of the sites featuring Stornoway is another ring of standing stones. This one is called the Calanais Standing Stones. They are said to be older than the Pyramids of Gaza.

Stornoway is located in the Outer Hebrides which is another group of islands. I guess I didn't realize that Scotland had so many island groups. The Lewis and Harris Island is the most inhabited but there are more than 50 islands in the chain that are uninhabited.

One of the most popular attractions is Lews Castle which overlooks the harbor. The beginnings of the castle date back to the 1600s. When Sir James Matheson bought the property in 1844, he commissioned a famous architect, Charles Wilson, to build the castle. The castle and grounds stayed in the family until 1917 when they were forced to sell it. In 1923, Lord Leverhulme gifted the property to the community to be used civic purposes. During the war years, the castle became a naval hospital. In 1953, the Castle became a college and continued until 1988 when it reverted to the community once again.

I found some references to wildlife and bird life in the area but I couldn't nail down how we would go about seeing it, at least not on our own. Here is where we might have to rely on the cruise ship's excursions for the area.or just explore on foot the town which according to one website has charming shops and cafes. This port might take a lot more investigating online.

More Scottish Islands - Kirkwall

After visiting the Shetlands, our cruise heads south to the Orkney Islands. We will stop at Kirkwall. This looks like a port we might be exploring on our own unless there is an excursion that piques our interest from the cruise ship offerings.

A Cruise Critic list of excursion suggestions sounds interesting. Among the spots to visit are two places over 5,000 years old. One is a village, Skara Brae, that was discovered when a howling storm blew away the dunes that were covering it. Another is Maes Howe which is a 5,000 year old chambered tomb.

Another place that is mentioned sounds almost like a Stonehenge. It's called Ring of Brodgar, a ring of stones. Twenty-seven of the original stones are still standing.

There is St. Magnus Cathedral, Highland Park (a distillery) and the Italian Chapel built from Quonset huts, barbed wire, concrete and other odds and ends by Italian prisoners during WWII.

Near the St. Magnus Cathedral is the Bishop's Palace. which dates back to the 1200s. Apparently before becoming a part of Scotland, Kirkwall and the Orkney Islands were a part of Norway. Those Vikings really got around.

I'm thinking by this time we might be ready for a walking tour rather than a bus tour. It sounds like there could be quite a crowd at some of the more popular sites and I think we might be bus weary. There are some tours that can be booked online that sound good for touring the old town.

The Shetland Islands Stop - Puffins?

Okay, the more I look at the ports and places to visit on this trip around Scotland coming up next year, the more excited I get. Just take a look at the teaser the cruise site offered for the Shetland Islands:

Enjoy a taste of the Highlands here in the rugged landscape and heathered moors, the ruined castles, steep cliffs and sea air. Drive through beautiful valleys and flower-filled meadows with romping Shetland ponies to quaint villages like Scalloway with its ruinded castle or explore the fascinating Jarlshof prehistoric site, occupied for more than 4,000 years.

It sounds beautiful. The Shetland Islands are in the far north of the British Isles. It is made up of 100 islands, 15 of which are inhabited. While there are several ports of call in the islands, ours will be at Lerwick, the capital.

Lots of opportunities to see many different attractions one of which is the cliffs of Eshaness. The pictures I looked at remind me of the Cliff of Moher in Ireland. They were formed from volcanic action and make a rugged coastline that looks spectacular.

An 1870s thatched roof house/museum looks interesting as well. While the Croft house looks like a farm, the inhabitants were actually fishermen and whalers. It was inhabited up until the 1960s.

Oh, oh! There might be puffins. So far every place we have visited has always been at the wrong time for finding what to us, has been the elusive bird. There is a nature preserve nearby. Checking the Hermaness Nature Reserve blog shows that it's possible the puffins will be taking care of their young around the time of our visit. Fingers crossed. There is also a place called Sumburgh Head Lighthouse that is said to be another place to see the puffins. Okay, that does it. Museums and castles and old houses aside. I want to see puffins.

Will We See Nessie?

As we cruise around Scotland, one of our ports will be in the Scottish Highlands. The port of Invergordon is said to be a small town with a big heart for cruise ships. It is home to several castles and golf courses. It is also traveling distance to Loch Ness.

A site that advertises a half day tour to Loch Ness also includes Castle Urquhart which over looks Loch Ness. I think that would be a great way to get to see the countryside and who knows maybe even Nessie, the Loch Ness monster.

The coastal area is home to bottle nosed dolphins, always a fun experience to see them but another trip that was mentioned was to the Black Isle Peninsula where there is a 17th century village. Sounds quaint and again another opportunity to get out into the countryside.

If there is enough time when we return from a half day tour, I'd love to take the hop on hop off bus around Inverness, a city just across the river from our port of Invergordon. We've always enjoyed those bus rides.

Of course it's all predicated on when we arrive and leave and what excursions we might take. Okay, I'm getting excited.

Calling On Edinburgh, Scotland, The Castle

Every time you hear about a trip to Edinburgh, you hear about the castle. Now there are a lot more other historic places, castles included to visit but if we're only going once, I want to see THE castle. Its history invites you.

The castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. It's long history includes a royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress. It started with the Iron Age people building a fortress on the hill. Throughout the centuries it suffered many sieges and changed hands several times. In 1457, one of the greatest medieval cannons was given to King James II. You know the cannon has to be great when they name it, Mons Meg.

The castle was the residence to many queens and kings from its early beginnings. Queen Margaret died there in 1093. It was also home to Mary, Queen of Scots whose son took the throne when he was 13 months old.

The crown jewels, the Honours of Scotland, are the oldest crown jewels in Britain. They were first used in a coronation of a monarch in 1543. The Stone of Destiny was used for years to inaugurate monarchs and is said to be on display in the Crown Room. It is basically a 700 pound red sandstone block. A small piece of paper inserted into a tube in the stone was said to prove its authenticity. It was apparently a part of the throne upon which the monarchs sat to be crowned. There is quite a story of it being stolen and returned to Scotland.

Military prisoners were kept there often, the first being French privateers caught in 1758. While it was said that many monarchs complained about drafts in the castle, it was probably a whole lot worse for the prisoners.

There is a whole lot more to the history I'm sure but that's enough to whet the appetite. I'm really a bit more interested in the ambiance and the structure and the scenery. History was never my strong suit.

Calling On Edinburgh, Scotland, The Food

Haggis, neeps and tatties

Scotland is one of the countries we have not yet visited so I'm eager to get a taste of it on the cruise we take next year. Edinburgh is the capital and I'm told a must see place. So here I go exploring the internet to get some ideas on what to see.

Let's start with food. While we'll be eating mainly on the cruise ship (Bob always hates to not eat a meal he's already paid for), I'd like to taste some of the foods unique to Scotland. Haggis was the first to come up on a list. The picture reminded me a bit of the rice sausage that was a Bohemian favorite with my grandfather. It's not anything like that though from the description. It's made of sheep's pluck (liver, lungs and heart) and minced with spices, salt, oatmeal, suet and onion and stuffed in, of course, intestine. Nowadays though the lining might be artificial.

Next up and often served with haggis is neeps and tatties. Neeps are turnips and tatties are potatoes. If you add butter and chives to the mix, you get clapshot. I'm not making this up.

The salmon in Scotland is said to be the best. It is prime breeding ground for the fish and I assume is very fresh.

Porridge is popular but is made with salt not sugar. Sounds like it could be a very lumpy texture as well. Pass.

A full Scottish breakfast is similar to a full English breakfast. Eggs, tomato, meats, English muffin, and usually haggis and/or black pudding ( a type of blood sausage). There will also be some tattie scones said to taste better with some butter lathered on them.

Now I'm sure if we're out and about we'll get a chance to try Scottish tablet. It's a confectionery made of crystallized sugar, condensed milk and butter. Some are said to have a wee bit of whiskey added.

Shortbread is one I can say I'm familiar with. Scottish shortbread is even sold in some places in the states. And then there's battered and deep fried Mars bars. Bet you thought only the US carnival and fairs did that.

Scotch pie looks a bit like the meat pies you get in Australia. Maybe Scotland sent some of its criminals over there as well. Just joking.