Standing stones

Clava cairn

Clava cairn

Clava cairn

Standing stones

Standing stones

Standing stones

Standing stones

Standing stones

Gale communing with a standing stone

Standing stones

         The next stop was at the Battle of Culloden Visitor Centre at the battlefield of the Jacobite defeat in 1746.  The Jacobites tried to put the son of James II, Bonnie Prince Charlie, on the British throne.  George II of England sent Prince William and British troops to put down the threat of the Jacobites.  7500 government troops faced 5500 Jacobite supporters on the fields of Culloden.  Fifty British troops died and 700 Jacobite troops.  The red coats then went on to slaughter those retreating and civilians in the towns as supporters of Prince Charles.  This was a mismatch similar to Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg – stupid.

Culloden Battlefield

Leanach Cottage at Culloden

Interesting Bilingual sign - glad there is English and a picture

James Pringle Woolen Mill museum

       Our afternoon excursion was a tour to a working sheep farm. The tenant farmer raises and trains border collie sheep dogs.  He brought out twelve dogs of different ages and put them through a demonstration heading a bunch of sheep here and there.  We got to help shear a sheep, feed little lambs, and hold three week old puppies.  Across the valley was the Cairngorm ski center with snow on the slopes.  It was a fun outing and the sun actually came out.

Sheep dog demonstration

Sheep dog demonstration

Sheep dog demonstration

Sheep dog demonstration

Gale helping to shear a sheep

Darling puppies

Lambs

Feeding a lamb

Five on a rock

Cairngorm ski center

Mon., 5/20/13 - Inverness to Edinburgh
            This morning we drove through the Grampian Mountains to Blair Castle, built in 1269 and added to and renovated many times over the years.
            We took a guided tour through the castle/palace and learned about the 18th and 19th c. furnishings, art, and tapestries.  The entry, grand ballroom, and hallways are full of weaponry and elk antlers.  The weaponry in the entrance hall was all used at the Battle of Culloden.          
            On the grounds of Blair Castle we had time for a quick walk up to Hercules’ Statue and some of the gardens.  The 200 plus year old trees on the grounds were beautiful and there are unusual varieties of evergreens.

Entryway (before they said "no pictures")

Blair Castle

Scottish Highlands cattle - the closest I got to them

Hercules' Garden

He was posing!