UK 2022

Our breakfast was ready for 7:30 am. We checked out, and Davy from Scotladd Tours was waiting for us at 8:45. We drove out of the city and headed towards Inverness. As we approached Dunkeld, we stopped for a restroom break which cost 50 pence. In the village we saw the church and the town that had been rebuilt when the lord moved the peasants from near his land. John the Planter planted many trees from all over the world. We walked around Dunkeld Cathedral, but you could not go in as it is undergoing extensive renovations. Very impressive to walk in this forest with all of these trees that are not native. Davy then drove us to Dunkeld. We walked up and down the town streets for half an hour. There were two different barbers waiting for customers. I purchased some dark chocolate with orange and peppermint. Davy then dropped us off at the Moulin Pub for lunch. I had the steak and ale pie which was wonderful. We walked around a bit while waiting for Davy. The wifi was acting a bit strange, but that is because it was not receiving a signal. Culloden Battlefield was next. Because of Prince Charles, the trees that were there were cleared to reveal the battlefield. The exhibit was very good. You stood in the center of the room, and the 4 walls depicted you being in the battle. Many exhibits and displays. Next we walked out on the battlefield. Very impressive. There was a building that was there that was a farmhouse. They harbored Jacobite supporters so the British burned them alive.

Next was Clava Cairns. One was an individual burial mound that had an entrance that pointed due west and the sun shown through twice a year. One was completely round, another one with an entrance, and one 1,000 years later that a child was buried.

Into Inverness. Davy dropped us off at Moyness House. We checked in, then walked back into the city. We walked around, poked into a few shops. Our dinner reservations were for 7:15 at The Mustard Seed . We could not get in yet, so we walked around the corner to Hootananny for a drink. Coke for me! Back to The Mustard Seed for a delicious supper. Gwyn had the venison and I had the seafood risotto. Dessert was an apple cinnamon crumb and Gwyn had the gluten free brownie with ice cream. She said it was the best brownie ever.

We walked back over the bridge and walked by the river. As we got closer to Moyness House, we could hear loud music. There was an outdoor concert going on. Showers for each of us, some TV then bed.

Davy was born in New Jersey but his mom brought him to Scotland at age 12 after his father died. He is very knowledgeable and had many stories and facts to share on the ride.

All of the land has a purpose. They burn about 10% of the Heather every year to help with the growth. The grouse live in the Heather and are hunted for sport. You will spend 9000 pounds a week to go hunting grouse. You have to pass a test so when you are hunting the deer you are not just wounding them. They have a lot of deer. The warden will tell you which one to shoot. The fences around the trees are to protect them from the deer since they will eat the bark. The fences kill one of the grouse species, the Caper Clay, when they fly to escape danger. They fly low right into the fence and die.