Gerri Russell's Blog, page 10

Exploring the Past

Every country and culture has its own unique history. Shetland is no different, only their history goes back further than most, into pre-history. Today I had a wonderful walk through the past at Jarlshof on the southern tip [image error]of Shetland. The first people to arrive here probably came over 5,000 years ago when the climate was warmer and there were landmasses that connected more of the isles and continents.

Jarlshof is a showcase of civilized development as it is revealed through the progression o...

Norway or Scotland?

This morning the ship pulled into port in the town of Lerwick where I met a man who will be my guide to Shetland for the next two days. We explored the northern side of the island today, starting with Scalloway Castle at Scalloway Harbor. I learned that Shetland, as the locals like it to be called, is made up of a chain of 100 islands that span 90 miles. Shetland lays 300 miles from Norway and 300 miles from Aberdeen, Scotland. Yet these isles have a more Scandinavian feel to the[image error]m than a...

The Queen Mother's Castle and Ancient Civilizations

The day started with a morning visit to the Queen Mother's castle, the castle of Mey. Both the castle and the gardens were lovely. The interior of the castle was more austere than I had expected from a royal residence. But this is the Queen Mother's own castle, not Britain's.  [image error]

It was a little strange to walk throughout and see pictures of the Princes Charles, Andrew, and Edward, as well as Princess Margaret. Yet again, they are her grandchildren.

 

After that, I caught a ferry for the Orkney...

Driving to the End of the Earth

I left the northwest coast of Scotland today to head for the northeastern side. The drive was long but scenic. Lots of mountains, or Bens as they call them here–peaks over 3,000 feet. Each area of Scotland I have been through has been so different, even though there are moors and mountains in each; the[image error]y all have their own uniqueness. Up in the northern Highlands, rocky deposits left by the glaciers cover the land. In the valleys you find peat bogs, the remnants of lochs that have dried up...

Two Castles, A Monster, and A Bloody Battle

There are so many castles to see in Scotland, each with their own personality. I got to see two such castles today. Eilean Donan started the day. [image error]This castle started out as a Pictish fort, but over the years has evolved into mighty fortress that guards two lochs. Destroyed by the Government during a Jacobite uprising, the castle has now been restored to its former thirteenth-century glory.

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Another castle further north was not rebuilt. Urquart Castle stands along the shores of Loch Ness, a...

Scotland's Best Kept Secret

Midges? Ever heard of them? I hadn't until this morning when I felt tiny little stings all over my skin as I walked up and down the waterfront in the tiny town of Kyleakin. I looked at my arms to see tiny, almost little black spots on my arms. Imagine something one-third the size of a gnat that bites like a mosquito. T[image error]hat's a midge. Thank goodness they don't like the sun or airflow, because as soon as the sun rose higher in the sky, they disappeared. I'll be on the lookout tomorrow, and...

Win One, Give One As A Gift Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Patricia Barraclough of Jonesborough, Tennessee who won the Win One, Give One As A Gift contest on GerriRussell.net! Your gift baskets, that include wonderful bath and body products as well as a autographed copy of Warrior's Bride, are on their way. I hope you and someone special will enjoy your holiday surprise![image error]

For those of you who didn't win, never fear! I'll be hosting a new contest soon. Check back next week for details, and until then Happy Holidays to all!

–Gerri

 

 

 

 

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The Hogwarts Express, High Peaks, Whiskey and Glenfinnan

What do these three things have in common? Well nothing actually except that they are the sights I saw today. The day started off with a tour of the Ben Nevis Distillery where I learned how whiskey was made. Not being a whiskey drinker, I had no idea what a huge export it is for Scotland. I now know the difference between a single malt and a blended whiskey. A high peat and a low peat roasted barley. And that whiskey in Gaelic means "the water of life". Gosh, and here I was thinking "water" w...

Exploring Scotland's Cradle of Christianity

I decided today that if you don't like the weather in Scotland, all you have to do is wait ten minutes. Lots of rainsqualls today, wind, sun, more rain. It made for some very atmospheric pictures.

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Started the day off catching the early ferry from Oban on the Scottish mainland to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. After that, it was a one-hour drive down a single lane road with two-way traffic. There are lots of turnouts, but you don't always know who is going to turn out, so it gets a bit nerve...

Into the Highlands

[image error]Today started with a final look around Glasgow in the Cathedral District. St. Mungo's Cathedral was originally built in 1136. But over the years it has been added on to in the years since to form what you see today. The grounds are surrounded by many crypts and tombstones that look a bit like a competition as to who can die and leave the biggest and best monument to themselves behind for posterity.[image error]

 Then it was off for Loch Lomand. Only 45 minutes from Glasgow, and you feel as though you've...