Stress is an incredible barrier to being healthy. Which travel destination did you find incredibly relaxing and why?Leave a comment below to help share ideas for stress relief!
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Loch Ness is located just outside of Inverness, drawing travelers from around the world for their chance to be part of discovering Nessie.We woke in Inverness ready to begin our next adventure. We had decided we were renting a car to drive to the Isle of Skye, and along the way we would stop to see the sights Scotland had to offer. We were not disappointed. One of the main attractions was Urquhart Castle located on the banks of the Loch Ness. Urquhart Castle was a place of strategic location, and transfer of power between the Scots and the English happened numerous times. The castle was in operation for 800 years before being raided for the last time. Now, it sits in ruins, asking visitors to imagine what life was like for it's inhabitants. There are a variety of places to stop and read about the castle and it's transformation over the years. At it's beginning, it housed things like an outdoor kitchen and a tower, which gave way to additional rooms and walls to fortify it's defenses. As we walked along the ruins, and looked out onto the water in hopes to catch Nessie, imagination takes hold. What was life really like back in the day? Are the stories of the monster within the waters below real? What was it like to consistently defend and retake the castle over and over again? Life is full of moments we can only imagine. What if's and I wonder are consistently woven throughout our lifetime. The truth is, we only can guess. Unless you walk in the shoes of someone else, you truly can't understand their experiences. And it doesn't matter if that person lived 800 years ago, or is someone you met yesterday. Every person's experience is unique to their own journey.
It's why we travel. It's why we continue to explore the world and learn about it in order to share it with others. Because even if you can't know exactly what someone else's life was like, you can learn about it and imagine the possibilities. And also have a little fun looking for a sea monster along the way. As an island off the west coast of Scotland, Skye is an incredible place of beauty and history.We pick places to travel for a variety of reasons. For Scotland, we decided to go for the Isle of Skye. There were a number of reasons, including a well known TV series. For us, Skye's landscape, history, and people were reasons we made our trip this summer. We added things into the itinerary, but Skye was always the destination. We arrived in Skye after a day of driving from Inverness. The drive across took most of the day, as we stopped at castles and waterfalls we found along the way. Our arrival time to our airbnb was after 7pm, so we found ourselves wandering the main city of Portree. Most restaurants take reservations, which we had researched. However, as we did not know our arrival time, we winged it. We were able to find a spot along the waterfront that asks you to wait in line for a table. The Lower Deck is a few doors down from the Pink Building. One of the most iconic photos of Skye, it's an easy find in the city. The next morning we were up early and on our way to explore the Isle we had researched for months. Here is our overview. Some of the places below will have posts of their own, as they can't be captured in a single post.
Go early. We were there just before 8 and found ourselves in an empty parking lot. A lot of bus tours head this way throughout the day, which wouldn't have given us the same experience. The beautiful overlook is the perfect place to start before heading into the depths of the island.
This spot will have a blog post to itself. Words cannot describe how incredible this place is. We hiked for miles and every step was something more incredible. Duntulm Castle RuinsAnother spot that will have it's own post. The ruins in themselves were impressive. However, learning about their history over the course of our trip made the site more and more interesting.
We had been following the steps of the Jacobites across Scotland. Finding Flora McDonald's grave along the way was a part of the Bonnie Prince Charles history. She had helped smuggle the Prince out of Scotland to spare his life and went on to live a life of her own in the colonies of America before returning to Sctoland.
An interesting piece of UK history is it's open land policy. You are free to travel across any part of the land in Scotland as long as you are mindful and respectful of the property you are on. The Fairy Glen is an interesting structure of hills and mounds dotted across a section of the countryside. It has some stunning views of the valley below, especially if you're brave enough to climb to the edge of the rock that sits above.
Learning the history of the Clans is a must when you visit Scotland. Their rich heritage is spread across the country, embedded in colors of tartans and kilts. Dunvegan Castle is still used as a resident for the Mcleod Clan, however they open their doors to the public to share their story. It is home to the Fairie Flag, another story for another post.
The furthest point east of the Isle, Niest Point Lighthouse sits on the sea to guide boats across the water. It's a popular spot for watching for sea life. The road to the point is extremely narrow, and the hike is moderate to difficult if you have trouble with stairs. However, the views are incredible as you walk along the way, especially if you can catch it at the end of the day as the sun begins to move towards the ocean.
Our last hike of the day was to one of the most famous hikes on the Isle of Skye. The Old Man of Storr sits as an iconic image across the landscape of the westernly route in the Trotternish Peninsula. After an extremely long and busy day, The Old Man had us lost in thoughts. Thoughts shared in another post. Lealt FallsOne more stop before bed that evening to catch Lealt Falls. Located just along the road through the Trotternish, these falls are an easy stop to catch a break or eat your lunch. We were grateful for the last moments of the day to be spent watching the water flow across the rocks and out the sea in the distance. It had been an incredible first day on the island.
Day two we were up and out the door with Nate from Skye Mountaineering. We headed back toward Duntulm, however this time we had a guide and an inside view of the life on the Isle of Skye. This hike was incredible, and we will share information in another post.
The rain started as we ended our hike. We decided to see if it would let up and took some time learning about life on the Isle of Skye in the museum. This is definitely worth the stop on your trip. Learning about how residents survived in a place so remote while the rest of the world had electricity and running water was fascinating. It's connection to the World War's and it's contributions also bring to light a people rich in connection and pride for their homeland.
The falls of Rha were an unexpected find, and will be a post in themselves. These falls off the road in the city of Uig were worth looking for, twice.
Peaceful and beautiful on calm days, the fairy pools draw visitors in to swim and enjoy their calm beauty. The day we went a winter storm had arrived in August. The rain was brutal, the wind was whipping, and the water was raging. It was incredible to see, but too dangerous to go into. Sligachan BridgeThere's a legend around the bridge stating holding your face in for 8 seconds grants you eternal beauty. We will never know such a thing. The waters under the bridge were far too dangerous. However, it's incredible structure and history connected to the people and town around it was worth the stop.
Cold and tired, but still in great spirits, we finished up the last of day two. A quick stop in Portree for takeaway, and then another stop at Lealt to compare with and without rain. We felt the trip had not only been success, but had exceeded every single one of our expectations. And we still had one more stop.
Up and out of our Airbnb on the last day of Skye had us hunting for dinosaur fossils. Located on the An Corran beach in Staffin, we were just a short walk away. However, as we were headed off the island after out stop, we drove along the cliffs and out onto the beach. You have to go when the tide is right, and we were right on time. We spent the last of our time on Skye scrambling across the rocks searching for the last piece of history Skye wanted to share with us. We were not disappointed. Tips:
Plan accordingly for bathrooms. They are limited on the island. Parking will cost you at a variety of sites. This can cause you to go over budget if you're not aware. Rent a car. You can see more and go farther GET A LUNCH BAG. There's a store in Portree you can stock up on food you'll need. Taking a lunch not only saves you time, it ensures you have access to food on remote spots of Skye. The one we use is linked below. Have good shoes. Full stop. And take extra socks with you in case it rains. Our shoes we LOVE are also on the same link below. It is windy. You need a jacket and a good hat. Tell us about your favorite place to visit in the fall!Comment below to tell us about your favorite fall destination. Do you love to find leaves in full color? Mountains with crisp morning air? Or just head to your favorite apple orchard? Let us know! Piers River Gorge, Norway, Upper Pennisula of Michigan, United States It's Autumn, and the Upper Pennisula of Michigan is calling.You haven't missed it. Not quite yet. The fall leaves of Michigan are turning, blazing their way into the last weeks of Autumn. On a quick trip up to the UP this past weekend for family was a great moment to scope out the changing of the leaves and share the beauty of fall above the bridge. Norway's hidden secret: Piers Gorge State Park Piers Gorge located in the Menominee River Recreation area is found off of a small lot off Piers Gorge Rd, which is off Highway 8 when traveling along 2. Easy to miss, this state park offers incredible views after a hike just over a mile long. The leaves have begun to change, but there are still some left. However, the walk along the river with the fallen leaves in crisp UP air still makes the hike to the Gorge well worth the fall trip. A little bit of hiking in Amasa and a stop at another state park: Snake River. Typically used for a boat launch, it's a small location to catch some views and appreciate the outdoors Michigan's Upper Pennisula provides. A quick stop at the Sand Point Lighthouse in Escanaba was a break and a chance to see leaves in the area. While they are falling fast, the views along the lake are always worth seeing. This lighthouse is unique. The lighthouse faces land instead of the traditional face to the water. It provides a great overlook and a spot for an outdoor lunch as you travel along the lake. The grand finale of the weekend was the final stop home at Cut River Bridge. Located 30 miles west of the bridge, the views over Lake Michigan give those seeking a little bit of Autumn solace a moment or two of just being able to enjoy the view and appreciate the moment. Seasons and years come and go. Each one moving a little quicker as you journey through life. Remember to take a moment to catch the moments. Like the falling of the leaves, life changes before your eyes. Take time to enjoy it.
A city "plagued" with History and Hogwarts.We arrived in Edinburgh at 9 AM after an overnight bus ride and a quick nap in the airport. We caught the bus to city and center and we were immediately met with a vibrant, bustling city. Arriving in Scotland, the bagpipes were playing and the sun was somewhat shining. We stopped for a moment before heading to our Airbnb. After dropping our bags, we began our adventure. We immediately were turned around. The city is built on hills and cliffs. DC understood it quicker, but I found myself lost along the way. We paused, trying to identify where we were and where we were going, when we happened up on first site: Grayfriars Kirk. We entered the Kirk and we were immediately drawn into the history. Old tombstones line the yard in a variety of patterns. The history states the kirk was a prison at one point, where many died due to religious differences. We quickly looked up an online guide to the Kirk, which directs you to the tombstones allegedly used by J.K Rowling to determine characters in the Harry Potter series. We were not disappointed. Both avid readers, we found our way to many beloved names, pausing along the way to catch bits of information from wandering tour guides. We also found Bobby, the famous pup who stood guard for years in the kirk after his master passed. Feeling we were finally on the right track, we grabbed lunch before heading over to Edinburgh castle. We wove our way through the streets to the Royal Mile. The cobblestone road lead us to the castle entrance. Buy tickets to the castle ahead of time. We had learned this tip and it had paid off, as the sign posted stated they were already sold out for the day. ,Edinburgh has a long history of transferring power between the Scots and the English, with bloody battles between the two. The information guides inside provide interesting insight on the belief of who was on the right side of history. We noticed this quite a bit throughout our trip across Scotland. As we strolled we continued with the feeling of being haunted by the past, as those that fought for either side tried to explain their story. We made our way back out to city center after, getting pictures of the Sir Walter Scott memorial and the city at the end of the day. After a quick break back at the Airbnb, we headed out for the evening. The city was full of festivals, with performers lining the streets as we walked. There were many restaurants in which the word witch was found, giving light as to why Hogwarts had such an easy connection here. However, it wasn't until we happened upon The Real Mary King's Close that we learned the deep, darker history of Edinburgh. A "Close" is akin to an alley, which Edinburgh had plenty of. However, over the years of development, many had been filled in to level the streets. The Real Mary King's Close attraction takes you into the excavation below Edinburgh. Here you learn how they lived in close proximity with poor resources for things like hygiene and medicine. The plague was rampart in Edinburgh, killing many throughout the city. To escape was also difficult, as there was the "Flodden Wall" surrounding the citizens. To exit the city, there was fee to exit at World's End Close. The poorest could not afford to pay, entrapping them within the city and unable to escape the plague. We found both the remnants of the wall and Word's End Close as we explored. The feeling of entrapment still haunts the area when you know the history. We ended the evening with a festival that we'll post about later. Edinburgh has something for everyone, yet it feels as though August wasn't the right time to really experience the history of this medieval town. It feels as though if you went in October, when the colors are changing and the world looks a little closer at ghosts of the past, Edinburgh would have so much to share. Only, of course, if the ghosts of the past want you to know....
"This could have been our (America's) story."We had arrived in Inverness that morning. After checking in and making our way around the city, we headed by bus out to Culloden Moor battlefield. Like most, our interest peaked with a famous Scottish television series. Our dedication to seeing it resided in its ties to history and the Jacobite's, which we had been continuously learning about on the trip since we started. We started at the visitor center, and arrived just in time to be invited to a historical presentation about the fate of the prisoners of the Jacobite rising at Culloden Moor. Clearly interested, we attended. The presentation was that similar to those given at National Parks in America. The presenter was animated and knowledgeable. He explained the history of the uprising, its fate, and the complications of dealing with those that had been captured. The number of men, women and children who were imprisoned was 3,470, and trying all of them in open court would have been time consuming and expensive. A system was created, and only specific people were selected. Their fates went one of three ways: imprisoned (unless you gave up someone else who was involved), payment and a promise to never be involved again, or you were transported out of the country to work in the colonies. "A quick ticket to America". This comment sat in the back of our minds after the presentation. We continued into the informational center, and we began to silently reflect on what we were reading and learning. Small details began to arise. The history is presented as the Jacobite's versus "The Government" instead of Imperial Britian. Those who were dedicated to the Bonnie Prince were listed as rebels. And what struck us most was the description of the Clans. Men who had been trained by both the French and British were depicted as being unorganized. We pondered on these small references as we exited the visitor center and out onto the battlefield. The land stretched out before us, surrounded by the beginning of the Highlands in the distance. It was easy to see why this battlefield was popular with visitors and historians. We headed out onto the paths and were quickly consumed by the field that surrounded us. The ambience is one of sacred silence. As visitors pass each other they nod and smile, acknowledging this space is one to be honored. We found clan markers, including Clan Fraser. We stopped and took pictures, pointed out sites, and continued to walk along the battle lines, learning the story that unfolded here. It then settled upon us what we were a part of. "This could have been our story." As soon as the words were in the air, the reality of the experience 1,000 miles from home came into being. The story at Culloden could have been one of many of the battles fought in America. Gettysburg came into mind first. The field has the same feel, even if it was for different reasons. And it begged us to think of the question. What if the Patriot rebels of America hadn't won? History is very much a part of today's story. Although it sometimes feels as though it occurred hundreds of years ago, the outcomes are very much a part of the day to day life we live today. There are so many what if's. What if Imperial Britian had won the war of 1812 and regained the American colonies? Would we pay in pounds? What if the Jacobite's had won, and were not imprisoned? Would the number of Scots that were sent to America have been less? What if history was written differently? As the saying goes, we'll never know. We know only today. And today's reality consistently asks us to reflect on our history. Culloden Moor persuades you to think about the world a little differently. It invites you into the story of the Bonnie Prince Charlie, and people who believed in a different way of life. It asks you to see those who were on the battlefield through their eyes. These were people who believed in what they were fighting for, who believed in an outcome. Someone, depending on your lens, won or lost that day.
All of this is captured at Culloden Moor. Their story is our story. Your walk with history is waiting. |
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March 2024
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