Two weeks ago, I went to Scotland! (Yes, I am still very behind in blogging, but there is just so much going on that I have a hard time finding time to write. My first module class ends this week, though so I should have more time in August).
The trip was planned and organized by our program, so we took coaches up with other students. We made a stop at Fountains Abbey on the way up.
This made me feel like I was in the abbey in The Sound of Music.
Random romanesque archways.
Abbey models!
In the nave of the chapel. The ruins were lovely and we had a good time exploring and taking pictures.
We then reboarded the coaches and continued on. As soon as we crossed the border into Scotland, mists and low rock walls rose up around us. It was as if there was a distinct separation between England and Scotland. We got settled into our accommodations at Edinburgh University and headed into the city to explore. Edinburgh at night was magical!
You find olympic stuff all over the UK.
Sir Walter Scott monument.
The next morning, I had a full Scottish breakfast including black pudding and haggis. Let's just say that out of the two, I'd choose haggis.
A bunch of us signed up for a hike in Killin, Scotland. At first, I was disappointed we weren't going to Loch Lomond, but Loch Tay was just as good. It was quite the hike, but look at the view! It was amazing and was one of the highlights of the trip. I loved roaming the scottish countryside. Our guide knew a lot about plants, so I enjoyed talking to him. The hillside was covered in bracken and foxgloves (as is most of Scotland).
I AM NATURE!
The beautiful rolling hills of the highlands.
When we got to the top, I wandered off for a bit into the countryside collecting plants to press and singing Scottish folk songs I learned at boy scout camp. Scotland brings out the 17th century romantic in me!
After descending the mountain, we walked along the lakeshore. This tree reminds me of the walking trees in Narnia.
Sheep!
We got back from Killin in time for dinner and the nights festivities: a Scottish Céilidh! There was a live Scottish band who lead us in some traditional Scottish dances. The dance floor was extremely crowded, so it was crazy, but fun.
The next day, it was raining cats and dogs, so I was glad that we had planned to go to the National Gallery in the morning. I saw tons of Renaissance art in Italy, which was great, but it was so good to see some northern baroque and impressionist artwork. They had a few Constable and Turner paintings which I was really excited to see. It was also really cool to see paintings of Venice and think "Hey, I was sitting on those church steps one week ago!" Going to the museum and talking to the people that worked there confirmed to me that I want to get an art history minor and continue to consider pursuing a career as a curator.
That afternoon, I hopped on a train to Stirling where my ancestors are from. When I got there, I was greeted by a pipe and drum parade! It was rather exciting. I came to find out later that it was part of the Orange walk.
After watching the parade for a bit, I wandered up the winding streets to Stirling Castle! Here is a picture of Robert the Bruce with Wallace Monument shrouded by clouds in the background.
The castle had so many canons and so much history!
I took a tour of the castle and found out that this is where Mary, Queen of Scots lived! When I was in junior high, I read a bunch of the Royal Diaries series and she was always my favorite princess. This is where she held her grand parties.
Here is me with a picture of Archibald Gardner, by great-great-great grandfather who grew up in this area.
And this is where Archibald's father, Robert Gardner was imprisoned for nine weeks. He ran a tavern called the Black Bull Inn where a bunch of revolutionaries met. When they were arrested, they took Robert too. It wasn't long after they let him out that they left for Canada.
It was a really cool experience to not only be in the area, but the actual rooms where my ancestors stayed.
When I got back to Edinburgh, I went with my friends Corey and Chantel to Greyfriar's graveyard where they had ancestors buried.
It looked like the cemetery in The Phantom of the Opera and I can see why they have ghost tours. It was be a rather creepy place at night.
Andrew Gairdner...a possible variant for Gardner and therefore another relative? I need to do some research!
And for all of you Harry Potter fans, here's Thomas Riddles grave.
While we were at the graveyard, I got a call from my friend saying that they were going to go hike Arthur's seat (a large hill to the east of downtown Edinburgh). I really wanted to go, so I started to make my way back to where they were meeting. And got horribly lost. Let me tell you, it is not fun walking around through an unfamiliar city alone. Thankfully it doesn't get dark there until really late. With the help of a phone and a friend, I finally found my way back just as they made it to the top. It was really discouraging to realize that even if I went fast, it would be dark by the time I got up there, and therefore, pointless. But, all was not lost! My friend offered to hike it with me the next morning at 5:30 and we did. Doesn't this remind you of Narnia?
It was pretty misty as we walked up, but it cleared out as soon as we got to the top. This is the compass at the summit that points out major places in Scotland.
My Caspar David Friedrich-esque "Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog" picture!
That's the North Sea in the background. Arthur's seat is where Orson Pratt went as a missionary to pray for the people of Scotland. At the top, we had an early Sunday morning devotional.
Hello Scotland!
I really wanted to run through the field below and did just that.
The beautiful and ever-present foxgloves.
On the way home, we stopped at Richmond castle in Northern England. Is that not the quintessential English countryside? Beautiful.
Our trip was fast, but wonderful. I love Scotland. The next few days were rough seeing as I was exhausted and homesick. Homesick for Scotland! But, I'll be back someday. I'll buy a little cottage in the highlands and roam the countryside with a field guide and a trusty dog. Until then "[Bye] yon bonnie banks an' by yon bonnie braes..."
