6/28: Urquhart Castle

It was quite a rainy day today with apparently flooding going on in
eastern England.

After visiting Culloden for a scant 30 minutes we had two hours in
Inverness. I wish we could have had an hour at Culloden however a lot
of the people just saw a big field with stones and perhaps didn't
really feel or understand the fact that this field is where Scottish
history changed forever.

Then we went to a great whisky distillery and had a tour that was
fantastic. I even found my namesake in whisky!

On the way back to Fort Augustus we made a (far too brief) stop above
Urquhart Castle. This is the only castle on Loch Ness and it was built
by and used by Robert the Bruce. It was also used by the jacobites. I
wanted to go down and into the castle ruins but we only had a few
moments. By the time I had taken these few photos everyone was already
on the bus and waiting. Sigh... History lesson lost.

This ruins is used in a scene of Outlander when Claire is recalling
the story of the kelpie and the prince. She is sitting near this ruins
and sees Nessie. When Claire is back in time the castle is stile
functioning.

I also found many Lovat signs so those of you familiar with Jamie's
grandfather, Lord Lovat or the Old Fox (promised forces to Prince
Charlie but didn't deliver, and therefore was able to suck up to the
British)will know that name.

Tomorrow we head back to Edinburgh.

Sigh.... This was a wonderful part of this trip. I am so glad that I
read the Outlander books and learned so much of the history of the
area.