Inveraray and Highland Games

July 22 

Today we took a trip outside Edinburgh to drive to Inveraray out at one of the coastline areas of Scotland.  We drove through a town called Stirling where (of course) there was a castle on the hill, and then on to the town of Balloch which sits on the beautiful and famous Loch Lomond.  We stopped for a bit to see Balloch Castle - it is closed for repairs, but the grounds are stunning and gently slope down to the shores of the Loch.  We dipped our toes in the water, and then carried on through Loch Lomond National Park through towns with names like Tarbet, Arrochar, Gartocharn, Buchlyvie and Lili. We turned west from there through the Argyll Forest Park towards Inveraray.  Wow - we drove through some amazing mountain passes, and stopped near the top at a lookout - love the sign!  It repeats words that are inscribed on an old stone here (Rest and be Thankful) - this road was built by soldiers in the mid-1700s as a military road to help them move around and suppress anti-government revolts.  There were also numerous little memorials dotting the hillside around the parking lot and along the trails.  It seems this is a special place for a lot of people to visit.

Turn another corner, see another castle!

And then there was Balloch castle.   Gorgeous grounds on the bonny,
bonny banks of Loch Lomond (you have to sing that part!)

The famed Loch Lomond from the grounds of Balloch Castle

Seems to be a theme.  Me taking pictures of Glen taking pictures.  On
the beach at Loch Lomond.  I stuck my toe in . . . it was COLD.

At the lookout - Love this sign!

All the signs are in English and Gaelic now!

The "Rest and Be Thankful" stone.

Looking down the valleys we just drove through.  This
is an ancient road - the new highway is not quite
so wind-y - Glen is looking at the old road on the valley floor.

Little memorials all over the rocks here

I think these were the butterfly-themed memorials

I think this means we're close to Inveraray!

Yup!

We had been told the drive to Inverary is beautiful, and that was the main purpose for going.  That was 100% correct.  However, when we arrived, we saw signs for the Inveraray Highland Games - on today - big bonus!  So we followed those to a large park - where there were men in kilts everywhere (smile), and most of them were practicing their bagpipes for a number of competitions that were taking place on the games grounds.  I happen to love bagpipes, so it was like arriving in heaven.  

Oh wow, another castle!  This is the one at Inveraray.

The Campbells have their own tent.

There were 10 or 12 of these tents around the outside of the
athletic area.  Each tent had a judge and a bagpipe player.
Different tents are for different 'types' of music

The games were for the local people, as well as some professionals
who travel from games to games at various towns.

Discussing important Scottish stuff.  All the contestants had numbers
on their kilts.

These are the hammer throwing guys.  They are all BIG.

An "official"?  

Caught this guy in mid-air doing the long jump.  Fun shot.

The local army guys playing recruitment games with young
kids.  Pick up bags and race with them.  Pick up a dummy
dressed in fatigues, throw it over your shoulder, and race
back with it.  That kind of thing.

The games area had running races, hammer throws, highland dance competitions, bagpipe playing competitions, long jumps, food tents, crafts tents - we couldn’t believe our luck!  The music was everywhere, we tried some haggis, regular and vegetarian (yum!), did a bit of shopping, watched the various competitions and generally had a wonderful afternoon. I wish I knew how to upload videos to this blog - the hammer throw was really something to watch.

 

Puddledub Hog Roast?

I had the Haggis - regular and vegetarian.  Both
were excellent.  I was too full to go back for Neeps,
Tatties or Stovies.  Whatever they are!

Never did find out what a Stovie is.  Guess we'll have to go back.

Cullen Skink Soup.  Just so happens I had some of
that yesterday at a pub.  It seemed like the right
thing to order - how could you not, with a name like that?
It was a fish soup and quite tasty.  I have no idea where Cullen Skink originates.

So it seems irresponsible of me to not find out about Cullen Skink - turns out there is even a Queen of Cullen Skink!  It basically all goes back to the town of Cullen not having enough beef to eat in the early 1890s, so they created a soup out of smoked haddock.  The word Skink comes from the Gaelic word "Essence". Initially Cullen Skink referred to broth made with the scrapings from cattle.  Here's a link to more info if you want: http://www.discovercullen.com/cullenskink.php

Haggis with wooden forks.  Another new thing!

Before driving back to Edinburgh, we decided to take a hike on a trail we saw near to the car.  We passed a castle (of course!), and went on through the woods past an old ruin of a stone house. It almost felt like being home in BC - the woods were similar.  Lots of moss and big trees overhead, and a steady uphill climb.  It was a lovely way to end the afternoon, and gave us a bit of exercise before sitting in the car for a couple of hours on the way home.

The castle at Inveraray

Funny building at the top of the hill.  We tried to reach it,
but after an hour we realized it was a lot further away
than we thought.  So we never did find out about it.

The one-lane bridge leading into Inveraray on the highway (as seen
from the castle grounds)

Old bridge near the castle.  It had these little guards cut-outs on each
side and at both ends of the bridge.  

Old stone house ruin in the woods

This is the inside.  Not much to see.  Not very big and not a window in
sight.

Driving down the main street of Inverary.  Very colourful town ;-)

Little cottages in Inverary.  All joined together, Scotland-styel!

Little Inverary town perched on the inlet

Heading out of town on the one-land bridge.  Beautiful place,
fantastic day!