tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87617667908344102362024-03-05T16:42:26.198+00:00Clan MacDuff Tour 20092009 was the year of Homecoming to Scotland with celebrations running all year. A highlight of the year was a Highland Gathering in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh on the 25th and 26th of July along with a Clan March from Holyrood Palace to the castle for the Clan Pageant. Clan MacDuff toured Scotland from 15-27 July.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-62775635550090433142013-08-31T14:03:00.000+01:002013-08-31T14:03:02.105+01:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clan MacDuff proudly marching up the Royal Mile to attend the Pageant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holyrood Palace official home of the Queen in Scotland - where we started the march</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edinburgh castle as night falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the Pageant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The story of our Ancestors<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is also the arena for the Annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our children - the future</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-75578509649638855752013-08-31T13:02:00.001+01:002013-08-31T13:02:06.211+01:00<a href="http://www.photobox.co.uk/creation/2047218051" target="_blank">Clan MacDuff Tour 2009 and Proposed Tour 2015</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-12094247246791529412009-08-06T16:30:00.009+01:002014-06-05T17:47:35.868+01:00After the tour - A quick look back<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falkirk Wheel, Iona, Glencoe, Robert the Bruce, Burns Memorial</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellisland, John Paul Jones, Globe Inn, Caerlaverock, Ruthven Cross</td></tr>
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I am now recovering from all the fun and excitement on the Clan MacDuff tour. The weather was mixed as it often is in Scotland, but on the most important days the sun shone - at Iona and the Gathering and March up the Royal Mile. At other times, we spent less time outside than we might have done when the rain came on. Overall the weather does not seem to have spoilt our trip and holiday. Our coach driver drove us safely and expertly on some very narrow single track roads on the Isle of Mull and our coach was very comfortable. This is important when we spent 11 days travelling on it. We had drinking water on the coach and at most hotels and restaurants throughout the tour. Have just realised that Europeans do not drink as much water as Americans! We had some very special times together throughout our trip. I particularly loved our trip to Iona and Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull. Our visit to Gretna Green was a good shopping experience for many and chance for Bob & Maria to renew their vows in a ceremony over the anvil as runaways have done down the centuries! Our informal Burn's night in the Globe Inn in Dumfries was a highlight for everyone on the tour even if everyone was not too keen on the haggis! The accordian player at the Globe was fantastic and I would have loved to listen to him for longer. The Gathering and the Pageant, I have covered in a separate blog post. Our trip out to MacDuff castle is always good - just sad to see that all the bushes are growing up around it. Someone suggested that we should see if we can get some steps put in to enable visitors to easily get into the castle. The Serrvice in St Michaels Chapel, which is the oldest building still in use today, along with the dedication of Larry MacDuff's bench. I got a very strong impression that everyone enjoyed Steve's whisky nosing and tasting at New Lanark, even although he is English! Next trip we must make sure to include at least one Whisky distillery tour. The Falkirk Wheel is a modern engineering feat which we enjoyed in glorious sunshine. There is so much history packed into Stirling Castle and Bannockburn that it made us all realise that Scottish history is long and complicated. Without William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Bannockburn, there would have been no Declaration of Arbroath and no independent Scotland from the 14th to 17th Century. Without this independence, not given up in battle, but by joining the Crowns of Scotland with England in 1603 when James VI of Scotland became James I of England on the death of Queen Elizabeth, there would be no Scottish identity as we know it today. As we moved forward in time to the life and death of Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Owen, we learn of the start of the Industrial Revolution, free education for Scottish people and the birth of Scottish tourism in the form of Sir Walter Scott's arrangements for the visit by King George IV to Edinburgh in 1822. Our vist to Gretna Green was a good shopping experience for many and a chance for Bob and Maria to renew their wedding vows in a cermeony over the anvil as runaways have been doing down the centuries! Our informal Burns' night in the Globe Inn in Dumfries was a highlight for everyone, even if everyone was not too keen on the haggis! The accordion player at the Globe was fantastic and I would have loved to listen to him for longer. The Gathering and the Pageant, have been covered in a separate blog post. Our trip out to MacDuff castle is always good - just sad to see that all the bushes are growing up around it. Someone suggest that we should see if we can get some steps put in to enable visitors to easily get into the castle, but knowing health and safety, we would probably be told that the building is not safe!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5MWqHazqu6s/UiHq2wv11JI/AAAAAAACDLs/Ay2V4jSbZ98/s1600/P1040977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5MWqHazqu6s/UiHq2wv11JI/AAAAAAACDLs/Ay2V4jSbZ98/s400/P1040977.JPG" height="331" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The MacDuff Clan tour members with Sir Lachlan Maclean, Chief of Clan Maclean</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71qVc2NvmMAVrrmNrCSxuvmin3ExhS0H5Z9GTvYVgu9rBOZnlIO5r-kW6wfJ_M2i8n4A27kLzWOqCIonsB9MbNO2tkARV-ByiB1W1EE5Z4dGWrcRPKF3N0fElxBY92Z6mnAzzEh0gCCM/s1600/P1060073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71qVc2NvmMAVrrmNrCSxuvmin3ExhS0H5Z9GTvYVgu9rBOZnlIO5r-kW6wfJ_M2i8n4A27kLzWOqCIonsB9MbNO2tkARV-ByiB1W1EE5Z4dGWrcRPKF3N0fElxBY92Z6mnAzzEh0gCCM/s400/P1060073.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At MacDuff Castle after the AGM</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-81687157598189629612009-07-28T17:37:00.005+01:002009-07-28T19:19:03.866+01:00The Gathering 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE6TJ3jaJbZ-0LJF-pxlUEZaryFBLVOFanh2HdMS0EYU_KxlI6RQH5ki82EwECx3AykDdw9Olydx-HxCS10lzZVDlo2Xhwvv9GA7Z3MIRO6CnH4HZg0V_vEUFKA1uRwASmxhz9gZhP9U/s1600-h/P1060010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE6TJ3jaJbZ-0LJF-pxlUEZaryFBLVOFanh2HdMS0EYU_KxlI6RQH5ki82EwECx3AykDdw9Olydx-HxCS10lzZVDlo2Xhwvv9GA7Z3MIRO6CnH4HZg0V_vEUFKA1uRwASmxhz9gZhP9U/s320/P1060010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363576702899131394" border="0" /></a>The sun shone which was an important fact in making the Saturday of the Gathering such an outstanding day for the Clan MacDuff tour group. Our treasurer, Davey Cottrell had the opportunity to meet Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay and many in my group were delighted to see both the Duke and the Duchess walking around the Clan Tent area at the Gathering. We all enjoyed Prince Charles speech at the Opening Ceremony, as for us in summarised much of our travel around Scotland in the preceding 10 days visiting Burns country at Mauchline, Alloway and Dumfries to honour the 250th anniversary of his birth and our visit to Abbotsford to learn about the writing skills of Sir Walter Scott and of his start of the tourist industry and the re launch of tartan. The march up the Royal Mile was a specially significant event with people who were lining the street constantly calling out " Lead on MacDuff" or just well done MacDuff. We thoroughly enjoyed the pageant which again summarised much of our tour which had also visited Bannockburn and talked about the William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. We loved the idea of looking back down and seeing life through the eyes of our ancestors as so many of us were in Scotland doing exactly that. Scotland on Sunday had nice photos and an article about the event.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-36389661240300074002009-07-15T23:25:00.004+01:002009-07-15T23:32:06.837+01:00Clan Tour at Beardmore Hotel GlasgowIt is warm and sunny today although Lynda and I drove through some thunder showers to get to Glasgow. My navigator did a great job and got me here first time. We have a room overlooking the Clyde at Clydebank and we can hear the birds along the water as well as aircraft flying into Glasgow airport. All 38 members of the tour were here for the slideshow which you can view at the link above which takes you to my picasa web album. Many are on their first trip to Scotland and excited by it. I am looking forward to our trip on the Falkirk Wheel and visit to Stirling Castle.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-47726929153853986212009-07-12T23:44:00.003+01:002009-07-12T23:51:46.181+01:00Clan Tour Map of Scotland<iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=53.800651,-4.064941&spn=15.634187,39.155273&msid=100264460992862415559.00046e833d77f62c58e83&output=embed" scrolling="no" width="425" frameborder="0" height="350"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=53.800651,-4.064941&spn=15.634187,39.155273&msid=100264460992862415559.00046e833d77f62c58e83&source=embed" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">Clan MacDuff Tour Map July 2009</a> in a larger map</small>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-61420328872782657292009-07-08T19:36:00.003+01:002009-08-29T11:13:22.082+01:00Clan MacDuff Tour Itinerary<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:536871559 0 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0cm; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.italic {mso-style-name:italic;} span.emphasisinline {mso-style-name:emphasis_inline;} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:2.0cm 70.9pt 2.0cm 70.9pt; mso-header-margin:35.45pt; mso-footer-margin:35.45pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:20pt;">Itinerary Clan MacDuff Tour 15-27 July 2009<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>15 July</b> Arrival at the Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre in <st1:place st="on">Clydebank</st1:place>. A Meet & Greet is arranged for 6 p.m. in the auditorium close to the reception desk followed by Dinner at 7 p.m.<br /><br /><b>16 July</b> The start of the tour – the coach<b> </b>departing at 8.30 a.m. Visits today include the Falkirk Wheel and <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Stirling</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The <b>Falkirk wheel</b> connects the Forth & Clyde and Union canals and enables boats to travel from <st1:city st="on">Edinburgh</st1:city> to <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Glasgow</st1:city></st1:place> or vice versa. The Wheel was built as a result of receiving Millennium Funding and showcases engineering of the 21st Century. Later in the tour we will be investigating engineering from the time of the industrial revolution in the 19th Century. <span style=""> </span>Lunch today is in Stirling at the River House before we spend the afternoon at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Stirling</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>. <st1:placename st="on">Stirling</st1:placename><b> </b><st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype><b>’</b><span style="">s</span> location rivals even <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Edinburgh</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place> for sheer magnificence as it sits on its high volcanic rock, visible for many miles in every direction. The site is important as Stirling guards the crossing point of the River Forth and would have been of strategic interest to anyone wanting to control central <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. The castle provided a home for Scottish Kings and Queens from the days of Alexander I until the <st1:place st="on">Union</st1:place> of the Scottish and English Crowns under James VI. The Great Hall was built between 1501 and 1504 by James IV. <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s National Hero, <b>William Wallace</b> was born in 1270. In 1297 he led an uprising against the English which spread throughout south and central <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Teaming with Sir Andrew de Moray and his men, the Scottish forces soundly defeated the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Following this victory Wallace was knighted and became Guardian of the Realm before being given to the English and being hung, drawn and quartered in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">London</st1:city></st1:place>. Stirling is also where probably the most well known battle in Scottish history took place, the battle of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Bannockburn</st1:city></st1:place>. We will visit the site and learn about Robert the Bruce later in the tour. Return to <st1:place st="on">Clydebank</st1:place> and overnight at the Beardmore Hotel.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>17 July </b>Travel north and west today with a short visit to Luss on the banks of <st1:place st="on">Loch<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R8XraYonw3I/AAAAAAAAAeA/Zk2KthWnRBU/s1600-h/lomond+loch_view1.jpeg"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </span></a>Lomond</st1:place>. From there we travel to Inveraray to visit the Duke of Argyll’s home followed by a visit to the Cruachan underground Power Station and a 2 night stay on the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Mull</st1:placename></st1:place>. <b>Loch Lomond </b>is one of the most beautiful areas of natural beauty in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place> and became our first National Park in 2002. Loch Lomond and the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Trossach</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">National Park</st1:placetype></st1:place> have an area of 750 square miles. Inveraray was built in 1744 on it idyllic setting on Loch Tyne when the Duke of Argyll decided to build his principal seat on the site of the original town! The 300 year old courthouse and 19<sup>th</sup> century jail are much visited and were visited on a previous clan tour. The castle was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh who was the architect of famous English palaces: Castle Howard in Yorkshire and <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Blenheim</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Palace</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The castle was the first of its type in a remote part of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Work on the castle was completed by the Adam family who became very famous architects in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. William Adam was responsible for the design of Duff House in Banffshire. Inveraray was home to the author Neil Munro who created the Para Handy books. There was a remake of the series on the TV in the early 1990s with Gregor Fisher. The puffer boat used in the series is in the harbour.<span style=""> </span>We will drive <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">North West</st1:state></st1:place> through the hills for lunch at Loch Awe Hotel stopping to admire Kilchurn castle on the way. In the afternoon we will visit the <b>Cruachan</b> underground power station. Situated on the side of Loch Awe, the power station is in a cavern under Ben Cruachan. This is the first high head reversible pumped storage hydro scheme. The visitor centre houses the free exhibition area and is the starting point for our guided tour. The power station lies one kilometre below ground in a massive cavern, high enough to house the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">London</st1:placename></st1:place>. Here turbines convert the power of water into electricity, available at the flick of a switch. This is an underground world on a spectacular scale. Around 3 p.m. we will arrive in Oban, the "Gateway to the Isles" and join the ferry trip to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. The ferry trip takes 45 minutes and goes through some enchanting mountain scenery with views to Mull, <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Lismore</st1:placename></st1:place> and back to the mainland. We will stay at the Isle of Mull hotel close to the ferry for the next 2 nights. Weather permitting we have great views to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Duart</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>, home of Sir Lachlan McLean from the hotel. A special treat tonight, we are going to be entertained by an accordionist and a fiddler after supper.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>18 July </b>This is our day to explore 2 islands, Mull and <st1:place st="on">Iona</st1:place>. We will visit the enchanted religious <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Iona</st1:placename></st1:place> and Duart castle home of the Clan McLean. <b>Mull</b> is a wild and beautiful island with over 300 miles of dramatic scenic coastline and stunning beaches which rise to the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">peak</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Mulls</st1:placename></st1:place>' highest<b> </b>mountain Ben More at 3000 feet. <st1:place st="on">Mull</st1:place> is a nature lover's dream with wildlife galore to marvel at on and around the island. It is possible to see otters, sea eagles, whales and seals. <b>Iona</b> is often referred to as the 'Cradle of Christianity' in <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>; as, in 563 AD, this was the first place in <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> that St Columba landed after being banished from <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. To this day, Iona Abbey retains its spiritual atmosphere and remains one of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s most sacred and historic sites. Attractions include the Abbey itself, St Columba's writing cell and a superb collection of over 180 medieval carved stones and crosses. The <st1:place st="on">Iona</st1:place> community continues the tradition of daily worship and visitors are welcome to attend the daily services. We will have lunch at the Martyr’s restaurant on Iona with views across the sound to <st1:place st="on">Mull</st1:place>. After lunch we will re-cross the island to visit <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Duart</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>. <span style=""> </span>Standing proudly on a cliff top guarding the Sound of Mull, <b>Duart castle</b> enjoys one of the most spectacular and unique positions on the West Coast of Scotland. For over 400 years this has been the base of the Clan Maclean's sea-borne power. Duart was originally a rectangular wall enclosing a courtyard. In 1350 <st1:place st="on">Lachlan</st1:place> Lubanach, the 5th Chief, married Mary Macdonald, the daughter of the Lord of the Isles and she was given Duart as her dowry. Lachlan Lubanach built the keep (tower house) on the outside of the original curtain wall but forming an integral part with it, and enclosed the well. Later in the mid 17th century small vaulted cellars with a hall at first floor level and perhaps a small chamber above, were built within the courtyard on the <st1:place st="on">South East side</st1:place>. At the same time the defence to the gateway entrance to the courtyard was strengthened by a two story gatehouse. In 1673 Sir Allan Maclean rebuilt the three stories building on the <st1:place st="on">North East side</st1:place> of the courtyard, facing the entrance. There was a kitchen at ground floor level and residential rooms above. In 1691 the Maclean’s surrendered Duart and all their lands on <st1:place st="on">Mull</st1:place> to the Duke of Argyll. The Castle, although in a fairly ruinous condition was used as a garrison for Government troops until 1751. It was then abandoned until 1910 when it was purchased by Sir Fitzroy Maclean, 26th Chief. He then set about the enormous task of restoring the building. The current owner of the castle is Sir Lachlan MacLean. We return to the Isle of Mull hotel and stay overnight.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>19 July </b><span style="">We leave the hotel at 0815 this morning to catch the ferry back to Oban<b>. </b>From Oban we </span><span style=""> </span>travel north past Castle Stalker to Ballachulish and <b>Glencoe</b> "The Glen of Weeping" where the Campbell’s murdered the McDonalds in 1592; from there we head south through some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland for a visit to the Battle of Bannockburn site and on to New Lanark for a 3 night stay.. Glen Coe is a steep-sided valley climbing steadily south east from the <st1:placetype st="on">village</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Glencoe</st1:placename> on the sea-loch, <st1:place st="on">Loch Leven</st1:place>. It<b> </b>emerges from its enveloping mountains on to Rannoch moor. Glen Coe is best known for an event that took place at 5 a.m. on the morning of 13 February 1692, but whose origins go back much further. For the previous two hundred years the Glen Coe MacDonald's had been regarded as cattle-thieves, especially by the Campbell's, whose more fertile lands lay towards Loch Awe to the south and Glen Lyon to the south east. After a stop here to enjoy the beauty of this area we will head south<b> </b>stopping for lunch at the Green Welly. We then head to <st1:place st="on">Stirling</st1:place> and the <st1:city st="on">Battle</st1:city> of Bannockburn. <st1:city st="on"><b>Bannockburn</b></st1:city> is the site of the 1314 battle won against all the odds by Robert the Bruce against Edward II of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>. This win led to the re establishment of an Independent Scotland and a few years later to the Declaration of Arbroath. After a full and exciting day learning many aspects of Scottish history and travelling through some stunning landscapes, it will be lovely to relax at the Mill House Hotel New Lanark.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>20 July</b><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </span></b>Today we will visit Mauchline where Robert Burns farmed at Mossgiel and we will visit the house where he first lived with his wife Jean Armour, then on to Alloway his birthplace and finally to Kirkoswald where his cronies from Tam O’Shanter lived. 2009 is the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns born on 25th January 1759 - a wonderful time to visit this area and learn about our most famous poet. In <b style="">Mauchline,</b> the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Burns</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">House</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> is a fresh combination of interactive and traditional exhibits. Situated in the cobbled back streets of Mauchline where Robert Burns lived and worked between 1784 and 1788, years considered being the most important and formative of his life. It was also Mauchline where he met and married his great love Jean Armour. On display here are a number of original manuscripts and objects from Burns’ life, including poems and letters, as well as an original Kilmarnock Edition. Across the road in Nanse Tinnock’s (an alehouse in Burns’ day) visitors can discover more about two Mauchline Industries – curling stones and Mauchline Boxware. <span style=""> </span>We will also see the first National Monument to Burns built in Victorian times on the edge of Mauchline as we drive past Mossgiel Farm on our way to the Tarrbolton Bachelors’ Club where Burn’s attended dancing lessons and formed a debating club in 1780. In 1781 he was initiated as a Freemason here. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">A short drive takes us to Alloway. At the southern end of <b>Alloway</b> are the <st1:placename st="on">Burns</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Monument</st1:placetype>, Garden and Statue House, the Brig o' Doon and the Tam o' Shanter Experience which together form the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Burns</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">National</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Heritage</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>. We will lunch in Alloway. Not far from the centre is Alloway Old Kirk which played a starring role in the poem Tam o' Shanter. At the northern end of Alloway is <st1:placename st="on">Burns</st1:placename> Cottage. The <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Burns</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Cottage</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> is being rebuilt by the National Trust and unfortunately will not be completed until 2010. However many special items have been put on display in <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Rozelle</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">House</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Art</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Gallery</st1:placename></st1:place> in an exhibition entitled – “A Star is Born: Robert Burns and Alloway”. Rozelle House was originally built to a Robert Adam classical design, but was remodelled to remove the classical structures. There is an opportunity to see 54 paintings by Alexander Goudie of Tam O’Shanter. There is also an exhibition about golf entitled “The Whole in One” It is fascinating to view some of Burns original letters and poems. The gallery is set in lovely park lands. In the afternoon we will travel to <b style="">Kirkoswald</b> to visit Soutar Johnnie’s cottage and churchyard. Robert Burns went to school here. Later in the Tour, we will follow Robert Burns' life to <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place> where he lived for the last 7 years of his life dying of rheumatic fever on 21 July 1796 at the age of 37. Tonight we will have a chance to learn about Whisky as Steve, my husband has offered to do a Nosing and Tasting before dinner tonight. Overnight stay at Mill Hotel New Lanark.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">.<b><br />21 July </b>A more relaxed day today as we will spend the morning at New Lanark and in the afternoon visit Pollock Country Park with house and Burrell Collection or the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow which was refurbished and reopened in 2006. The architecture, art and displays are stunning. Our morning will be spent at <b>New Lanark</b> learning about Robert Owen and his Mill and millworkers. Also time to enjoy the leisure facilities at the New Lanark Mill Hotel. New Lanark Cotton Mill and village have been beautifully restored and is a World Heritage site. We will learn the fascinating history of this 18th century cotton mill village nestled into spectacular south Lanarkshire valley in southern <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> close to the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Falls</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Clyde</st1:placename></st1:place>. The village first rose to fame when Robert Owen was mill manager 1800-1825. Owen transformed life in New Lanark with ideas and opportunities which were at least a hundred years ahead of their time. Child labour and corporal punishment were abolished, and villagers were provided with decent homes, schools and evening classes, free health care, and affordable food. Highlights of any visit will include the magical New Millennium Experience ride and an audio-visual theatre show called 'Annie McLeod's Story' where the ghost of a mill girl appears on stage.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Pollock Country Park </b><span style="">comprises Pollock House and gardens owned and operated by the National Trust and the Burrell collection. There is a shuttle bus between the 2 buildings. Pollock house was built in the 18<sup>th</sup> century and has lovely gardens as well as beautifully furnished rooms with some stunning paintings by El Greco, Blake and Murillo. The Burrell Collection is as its name suggests a collection by one man gifted to the City of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Glasgow</st1:city></st1:place> on the understanding that the collection would be kept together and displayed in one place. </span>At the Burrell Collection you can wander round important collections of medieval art, tapestries, alabasters, stained glass and English oak furniture. There are many European paintings, including works by Degas and Cézanne, an important collection of Islamic art, and modern sculpture including works by Epstein and Rodin. We have a fine collection of works from ancient <st1:country-region st="on">China</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Greece</st1:country-region> and <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Rome</st1:city></st1:place>. Architectural features from the collection have been integrated into the structure of the building. You can walk under arches built for medieval lords and ladies. There are also reconstructions of rooms from Sir William’s home, furnished in gothic style with items from the collection.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style=""> </span>The </b><b style="">Kelvingrove<span style=""> </span>Art<span style=""> </span>Gallery<span style=""> and Museum</span></b> is a fabulous space to display art and artefacts from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> and beyond. Scottish Art is little known outside <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>, but we had some very talented artists in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There is work by the Glasgow Boys - a group of Scottish artist who rebelled against Victorian sentimentality and revolutionised Scottish painting between 1880 and 1895. The Scottish Colourists - Fergusson, Peploe, Cadell and Hunter brought a colourful French style to Scottish painting. We can compare our Scottish artist with work by French, Italian and Dutch artists. If our artists are not well known, many people have heard of Charles Rennie Mackintosh the famous architect and designer who like many before him was better known in <st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region> than <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. However much of his work in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Glasgow</st1:city></st1:place> can still be seen today and examples of it are on display at the museum. We can also explore Scottish wildlife and life in Scottish lochs. There is also an opportunity to learn a little about <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s first people. The museum is an amazing experience. I have already visited twice and look forward to my next visit! <span style=""> </span>We return to New Lanark for overnight. We are going to be entertained by an accordion player tonight with a chance, I am sure to practise our singing!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><br />22 July </b>Today we head south to <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place>. We visit Ellisland Farm, Kirkcudbright and John Paul Jones Cottage and Sweetheart Abbey before reaching the Station Hotel for a 2 night stay. Robert Burns was 29, in the prime of his life and the peak of his powers when he came to Ellisland Farm in <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place>. Many of his best loved nature poems were inspired by the tranquil setting of Ellisland farm. Today it provides great insight into life on a farm 200 years ago. Tam O'Shanter was written here and is probably his best known poem which we will have learnt about at Alloway. The following is the first few lines from it:<br />"When chapman billies leave the street,<br />And droughty neibors, neibors, meet;<br />As market days are wearing late,<br />And folk begin to tak the gate,<br />While we sit bousing at the nappy,<br />An' getting fou and unco happy,<br />We think na on the lang Scots miles,<br />The mosses, waters, slaps and stiles,<br />That lie between us and our hame,<br />Where sits our sulky, sullen dame,<br />Gathering her brows like gathering storm<br />Nursing her wrath to keep it warm".</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We head for <b style="">Kirkcudbright</b> which is known as an artist’s town. The main exhibition in the Town Hall is called Home Again and shows works by artists associated with Kirkcudbright from the late 19<sup>th</sup> century. Kirkcudbright has its own castle MacLellan’s at the centre of town close to the River Dee. Sir Thomas MacLellan built this castle between 1577 and 1582 on the site of Greyfriars friary. It is currently managed by Historic Scotland. The Tolbooth Art Centre is housed in the town’s old stone Toolbooth at the corner of the High Street. It is a beautiful building with a busy programme of art and craft exhibitions. Also in town is the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Stewarty</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> with an amazing variety of archaeological and historic artefacts. This year it also has an exhibition about Homecoming. We will have lunch at the Selkirk Arms Hotel where Robert Burns visited when he was a customs officer in <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place> and attended the Customs house in Kirkcudbright. Mid afternoon we head to the <b style="">John Paul Jones Cottage Museum</b> to see the humble beginnings of the man who became the Father of the American Navy. He was born 6 July 1747 to and lived until 18 July 1792 making him a contemporary of Robert Burns. They certainly lived in a changing world with <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place> becoming an independent nation in 1776.<span style=""> </span>He was a Captain from the age of 21 and appears to have had chequered history depending on where you view it from <st1:country-region st="on">Britain</st1:country-region> or <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place>. One of his exploits was to try and capture for ransom the Earl of Selkirk, but he was not at home! On 23 September 1779, Jones was commanding the 42 gun <span class="italic">Bonhomme Richard,</span> which was sailing with four other <st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region> ships off Flamborough Head, in <st1:place st="on">Yorkshire</st1:place>. Here they encountered and engaged a convoy of merchant vessels guarded by two Royal Navy ships. The <span class="italic">Bonhomme Richard</span> was engaged and severely damaged by the rather larger <span class="italic">HMS Serapis.</span> During the encounter, Jones' ship had the masts and the flag blown away and was clearly sinking, and the British captain is said to have asked whether the <span class="italic">Bonhomme Richard</span> was surrendering. John Paul Jones' reply, which has gone down in history, was <span class="italic">“I have not yet begun to fight."</span> Jones then rammed <span class="italic">HMS Serapis</span> and a boarding party captured her. The French responded by making him <span class="italic">Chevalier John Paul Jones,</span> and the Continental Congress produced a gold medal in his honour in 1787. In <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Britain</st1:country-region></st1:place> he was regarded as a pirate. He died in retirement in <st1:city st="on">Paris</st1:city> and his remains are under permanent military guard in a tomb at the <st1:placename st="on">United States</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Naval</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Academy</st1:placetype> at <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Annapolis</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Maryland</st1:state></st1:place>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Finally we will visit Sweetheart Abbey. The substantial remains of <b>Sweetheart Abbey</b>, near the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">village</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">New Abbey</st1:placename></st1:place> are the testament of the love John Balliol's w<span style="">ife</span> Lady Devorgilla had for him. On 10 April 1273 she signed a charter establishing a new Cistercian abbey here in memory of her husband who had died four years earlier. Thanks to the Reformation her later endowment of a college at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Oxford</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> in his name turned out to be a more enduring memorial. After her death in 1290 Lady Devorgilla was buried in the sanctuary of the abbey church with the casket containing her husband's heart. Sweetheart Abbey stopped being a religious community after t<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R8geT_jf83I/AAAAAAAAAio/uJbo4qFp6NA/s1600-h/john+Paul+jones+cottage.gif"></a>he Reformation of 1560. Over the centuries stone from the Abbey was used to build in the surrounding area. In 1779 local subscribers clubbed together to conserve the remainder of the abbey church. The Abbey is currently managed and maintained by historic <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="">23 July</b> Today we visit Gretna Green, Caerlaverock castle and <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place>. Our first stop today is at Gretna Green - famous for run away marriages over the centuries followed by a visit to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Caerlaverock</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>. We will return to the Station Hotel Dumfries for lunch and free time. Later we will meet up at <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">24 Burns Street</st1:address></st1:street>, where Burns lived after he gave up Ellisland and visit his mausoleum is in St Michael's Churchyard. We will also see a lovely statue of Jean Armour close to the churchyard. Burns spent the last years of his life in Dumfries, dying in <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place> in 1796. <b><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Every year over 4000 weddings take place in <b>Gretna Green</b> which amounts to about one in eight of all weddings that take place in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Gretna Green lies a mile across the border into <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> from <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>. In 1754 a marriage act in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place> meant that no one could get married there under the age of 21 without parental consent. This law did not apply in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place> where anyone of 16 or over can get married without their parents' consent. Gretna Green was the first place you reached in <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> when following the main route north from <st1:place st="on">Carlisle</st1:place> and thus became a centre for runaway marriages. The act of marriage came to be marked by the blacksmith striking his anvil, symbolising the joining together two pieces of metal in the heat of the blacksmith's fire. Like them the couples involved were joined to the heat of the moment and bound together for eternity.<br /><br /><st1:placename st="on"><b>Caerlaverock</b></st1:placename><b> </b><st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype> is one of the most attractive and interesting castles in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. It is surrounded by a moat and is<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R8gWN_jf80I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/icRLf-PAP44/s1600-h/caverlockfromsouthwestx-450.jpg"> </a>a most unusual shape, an equilateral triangle with its apex at the huge northern gatehouse. This castle was started in 1270, completed by 1300 when it was successfully besieged by 87 knights and 3000 men of Edward I of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>. The English retained the castle until 1312. The castle was besieged again in 13 56 this time by the Scots who were not sure of Maxwell's loyalty to the crown. The castle we will view mainly dates back to the rebuilding in the late 1300's and 1400s. After the union of the crowns in 1603, peace finally descended on the borders after 400 years of sporadic warfare. In 1634 Robert Maxwell, the First Earl of Nithsdale, built the east range whose ornamental stonework still dominates the interior of the castle. The castle is managed and maintained by Historic Scotland.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">We return for lunch at the Station Hotel and browse around <st1:place st="on"><b style="">Dumfries</b></st1:place> during the afternoon. <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place> was founded as a Royal Burgh in 1186 on the east side of the lowest crossing point of the River Nith. The land beyond the Nith, Galloway, only securely became part of <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> during Alexander II's reign in 1234: so <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place> was very much on the frontier during its first 50 years and it grew rapidly as a market town and port. <span style="display: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The first bridge over the Nith,<span class="italic"> <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Devorgilla</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>,</span> named after Devorgilla, the mother of King John Balliol, was built here in 1432. Rebuilt more than once and shortened from the east in the 1800s, this is still used by pedestrians and is one of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s oldest standing bridges. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We will meet later to visit <b style="">Burns House and Mausoleum</b> and to visit the <b style="">Globe Inn</b> Burns Howff. It was indeed his favourite HOWFF (an inn or meeting place) and with its close (street) retains much of its former atmosphere. We will have an informal Burns Supper here this evening. First we visit the simple sandstone house in a quiet <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place> street that Robert Burns, spent the last years of his brilliant life. He died here in 1796 at the age of just thirty seven. The house gives us a picture of how the poet and his family lived in the late eighteenth century. It is now a place of pilgrimage for Burns enthusiasts from around the world. You can see his desk and chair in the study where he wrote his best known poems, the famous Kilmarnock and <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Edinburgh</st1:city></st1:place> editions of his work, many original manuscripts and belongings of the poet and his family. Established in 1610, <b style="">The Globe Inn,</b> <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place> has long been associated with Robert Burns. In 1796, Burns wrote: "... the Globe Tavern here, which these many years has been my Howff ...", and in 1819, the first of what was to become the annual tradition of Burns Suppers was held here at The Globe Inn. At his howff (or haunt) his favourite seat still survives, and some of his poetry may still be seen inscribed by Robert Burns with a diamond on his bedroom windows. The Globe Inn is an important historic pub, steeped in the history of Robert Burns and <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place>. Every corner is packed with fascinating memorabilia.<span style="font-size:10pt;"> </span>Overnight at the Station Hotel.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><br />24 July</b> Today we journey north to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Edinburgh</st1:place></st1:city> through the borders. We will visit <b>Melrose</b> and stop at the beautiful abbey We will also visit Abbotsford House, home of Sir Walter Scott a famous writer and poet and finally Rosslyn Chapel made famous in the film “The Da Vinci Code” before completing our trip to Edinburgh. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The name of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Melrose</st1:city></st1:place>, or Mailros, was confusingly applied first to a loop in the River Tweed two miles east of today's town. This was home to a monastery founded by St Aidan from 650AD and destroyed by the Scots in AD839. When King David I asked the Cistercians to set up an abbey at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Melrose</st1:place></st1:city> in 1136 he had in mind the site of St Aidan's earlier monastery. The Cistercians preferred a site two miles to the west and they built over the following 50 years took the name of Melrose Abbey. Melrose Abbey was first staffed by an abbot and 12 monks from Rievaulx, who set to work constructing the abbey buildings. The east end of the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Abbey</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Church</st1:placetype></st1:place> would have been built first, and a service of dedication for it took place on 28 June 1146. Other buildings in the complex were slowly constructed over a period of at least another 50 years. The best known monk at <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Melrose</st1:city></st1:place> during this period was Jocelin, who rose to become the 4th Abbot of Melrose Abbey in 1170. In 1322 Melrose Abbey and the town that had grown up around it were attacked by the English army of Edward II. Much of the abbey was destroyed and many monks were killed. The subsequent rebuilding was helped greatly by the generosity of Robert the Bruce. This link was later formally recognised when Robert's embalmed heart, encased in lead, was buried at Melrose Abbey. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="display: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sir Walter Scott</b> lived from 15 August 1771 to 21 September 1832.He was a contemporary of Burns and lived at <b style="">Abbotsford House</b>. He can be thought of as the first international literary superstar. As a poet and as a historical novelist, he was popular throughout the world in his day and, to an extent, his books remain read today. He did much to popularise the image of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place> particularly in relation to tartan and landscapes. Scott was born and educated in Edinburgh and practised law there. Due to childhood ill health, he spent time in the borders with his grandparents and acquired a broad knowledge of folklore and ballads. His most famous poem published in 1810 was The Lady in the Lake and his most famous novels were <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Waverley</st1:city></st1:place>, Rob Roy and Ivanhoe. He unearthed the Honours of Scotland: the crown, sceptre and sword of state which had been locked away deep in the bowels of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Edinburgh</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place> forgotten since the Act of Union in 1707. In 1820, he was created a Baronet and in 1822 he organised the visit by King George IV to <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>: the first visit of a reigning monarch to <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place> since 1650. Scott is buried in the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey. Abbotsford must certainly qualify as one of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s longest standing tourist attractions. Those visiting included Queen <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">Victoria</st1:state></st1:place> on 22 August 1867. In 1883 the total number of over 1500 visitors included 20 from the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Today's visitor is therefore following a very well established trail. We will have lunch here.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Our last visit today is to <b style="">Rosslyn Chapel</b> made famous by the film “The Da Vinci Code”. I have long been fascinated by the chapel and the exquisite Apprentice pillar in it. I first visited in the early 1970s and remain fascinated by the architecture and mystery surrounding it. We will have a guided tour which will highlight the main points. Founded in 1446 as the Collegiate Chapel of St Matthew by Sir William St Clair, the Chapel took some forty years to complete and was not finished until after Sir William’s death in 1484. The beauty of its setting and the mysterious symbolism of its ornate stonework have inspired and intrigued artists and visitors ever since. Rosslyn has survived turbulent times. In 1571, Protestant reformers seized the building, and in 1592 the altars were demolished; the Chapel ceased to be used as a place of worship and over the years fell into a state of disrepair. Although some initial restoration work was carried out in 1736, it was not until the early 1800s that the St Clair family began work in earnest to restore the interior of the building, and by 1862 the Chapel was once more a working church. O<span style="color:black;">ne of the things that you will notice during a visit to Rosslyn Chapel is the steel canopy which sits over the building and protects it from the worst of the weather. It is possible to climb steps to look at the architecture from above. This canopy was erected in 1997 to enable the stonework inside the Chapel to dry out naturally. It has nearly completed its job and once the works to the roof are finished it will be removed and the Chapel revealed in all its glory. Most conservation projects use conventional stonemasonry techniques, but the delicate nature of Rosslyn Chapel’s ornate stone carvings commands a very different approach. Techniques more usually associated with single pieces of museum sculpture will be painstakingly applied throughout the Chapel. While plying their skill, the highly specialised conservators will train a new generation of skilled craftspeople. So, in addition to protecting an historic building, they will be protecting skills that will be practised and passed on for years to come. We drive to the Dakota, Queensferry Hotel for 3 nights.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b>25 July</b> This morning we will arrive at the Gathering at <st1:placename st="on">Holyrood</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Park</st1:placetype> in time for the Opening Ceremony by HRH Prince Charles and Camilla who are known in Scotland as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay. We will spend the day at the Gathering before joining the parade of Clans up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle for the Pageant. MacDuff castle is not in as good state of repair as many of the castles that we have visited on our trip. The tower is the only remaining part of a large building which was first built in the 13/14th centuries. The ruin lies on the cliff-top above the Wemyss caves near <st1:place st="on">East Wemyss</st1:place>. Edward I of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place> visited here in 1304, staying with MacDuff's descendant, Michael Wemyss. However, Wemyss later joined forces with Robert the Bruce and Edward ordered the castle to be destroyed. We will hold the Clan MacDuff AGM here today making our own piece of history. After a trip along the Fife coast it will be time to join the other Clans for the <b>Highland Gathering in <st1:placename st="on">Holyrood</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Park</st1:placetype> <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Edinburgh</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span></b><span style="">From all<b> </b>that |I have read about the Gathering, we are going to have a fabulous time. In the early evening we will gather together to march up the hill from <st1:placename st="on">Holyrood</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Park</st1:placetype> to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Edinburgh</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The Clans will march in alphabetic order which will mean that the MacDuff’s will be towards the back to parade. Each group of Clans will be led by a Pipe Band. We will all be seated at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Edinburgh</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place> in time for the Pageant which will run from 2200 to 2300. We will then return to the Dakota Hotel for overnight.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>26 July </b>This morning we will visit MacDuff castle. MacDuff castle is not in as good state of repair as many of the castles that we have visited on our trip. The tower is the only remaining part of a large building which was first built in the 13/14th centuries. The ruin lies on the cliff-top above the Wemyss caves near <st1:place st="on">East Wemyss</st1:place>. Edward I of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place> visited here in 1304, staying with MacDuff's descendant, Michael Wemyss. However, Wemyss later joined forces with Robert the Bruce and Edward ordered the castle to be destroyed. We will hold the Clan MacDuff AGM here today making our own piece of history. After a trip along the Fife coast it will be time to join the other Clans for the second day of Highland Gathering in <st1:placename st="on">Holyrood</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Park</st1:placetype> <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Edinburgh</st1:city></st1:place>. There will be an option to visit Rosslyn Chapel or the National Museum of Scotland. It seems as if there will be lots to do and see. Overnight at the Dakota Hotel.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b>27 July</b> After breakfast end of the tour.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">Hotels during the Tour:<span style=""> </span></span></b>To phone from the States dial 0044 and drop (0) in the numbers below:<b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre <span style=""> </span>Stay from 15-17 July<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">Pool and Gym<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Beardmore</span></em><i style=""> </i>Street</st1:address></st1:street>, Clydebank, <st1:city st="on">Glasgow</st1:city>, <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Dunbartonshire</st1:city>, <st1:postalcode st="on">G81 4SA</st1:postalcode></st1:place>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Telephone: 0141 9516000</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Web: <a href="http://www.thebeardmore.com/">http://www.thebeardmore.com/</a> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">The Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa<span style=""> </span>Stay from 17-19 July<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">Swimming Pool, Gym and outdoor Hot Tub<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Craignure, Isle of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Mull</st1:city>, <st1:postalcode st="on">PA65 6BB</st1:postalcode></st1:place></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Telephone: 0870 9506267</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Web: <a href="http://www.crerarhotels.com/ourhotels/isle_of_mull_hotel/">http://www.crerarhotels.com/ourhotels/isle_of_mull_hotel/</a> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">New Lanark Mill Hotel <span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></span></b><span style=""> </span><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">Stay from 19-22 July</span></b> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">Health and Fitness Suite and Swimming Pool </span></b><br />South <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Lanarkshire</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> <st1:postalcode st="on">ML11 9DB</st1:postalcode></st1:place><br />Telephone: 01555 667200<b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Web: <a href="http://www.newlanarkhotel.co.uk/">http://www.newlanarkhotel.co.uk/</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">Best Western Station Hotel</span></b><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">Stay from 22-24 July</span></b><br />49 Lovers Walk, Dumfries, <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Dumfries-shire</st1:city>, <st1:postalcode st="on">DG1 1LT</st1:postalcode></st1:place></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Telephone: 01387 254316</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Web: <a href="http://www.bestwestern.co.uk/Hotels/Best-Western-Station-Hotel-83501/Hotel-Info/Default.aspx">http://www.bestwestern.co.uk/Hotels/Best-Western-Station-Hotel-83501/Hotel-Info/Default.aspx</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="emphasisinline"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">Dakota</span></b></span></st1:placename><span class="emphasisinline"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"> <st1:placename st="on">Forth</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype><span style=""> </span>Stay from 24-27 July</span></b></span><br />Queensferry, <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Edinburgh</st1:city>, <st1:postalcode st="on">EH30 9QZ</st1:postalcode></st1:place></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Telephone: 0870 4234293</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Web: <a href="http://www.dakotaforthbridge.co.uk/">http://www.dakotaforthbridge.co.uk/</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-78295749474018138522009-06-15T02:24:00.003+01:002009-06-15T02:33:44.018+01:00Dakota Hotel QueensferryOur hotel for our stay in Edinburgh from Friday 24 July to Monday 27 July is the Dakota Forth Bridge at Queensferry on the outskirts of Edinburgh <a href="http://www.dakotaforthbridge.co.uk/">http://www.dakotaforthbridge.co.uk/</a> The link takes you to the hotel which has been Scottish Seafood restaurant in 2008 and again in 2009. It is a complete change from our other Scottish hotels as it is ultra modern, but the hospitality will still of the same high standard and the food should be excellent.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-80314846844672570662009-02-18T14:39:00.005+00:002009-02-23T14:33:35.402+00:00Update on Where and When<a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfu-Cprw7yPZYTOmUifUmqqBNJNYSk4HT0mxpoc87cH2mCRN-no2T6KCKiUYTf7FBxu09Mc3bclzxaCShc8_i9JpVAk4CgEJdxdk8OBFaIp6OKhBwA18lQBU0OPByP2u0v97m4IJj61no/s1600-h/dining_thumb1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfu-Cprw7yPZYTOmUifUmqqBNJNYSk4HT0mxpoc87cH2mCRN-no2T6KCKiUYTf7FBxu09Mc3bclzxaCShc8_i9JpVAk4CgEJdxdk8OBFaIp6OKhBwA18lQBU0OPByP2u0v97m4IJj61no/s320/dining_thumb1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304156179647628290" border="0" /></a>We will all meet in the Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre at 6 p.m on 15 July. We will have a Meet and Greet in a meeting room there which will be announced on the entrance board at Reception. I will be around from mid afternoon to meet you as well. The Meet and Greet will be a chance for you all to meet me and for me to meet you and for any of you who do not already know each other to get aquainted. I will give a brief introduction about our plans for the next few days and then we will have dinner together. Glasgow airport is a short taxi ride from the Beardmore Hotel which is one of the reasons that it has been chosen. As many flights from America arrive early in the morning, I will arrange with the hotel for your bags to be looked after if a room is not immediately available. Rooms in Scotland are normally available from 2 p.m. I would like details of your arrival and departure flights so that if possible I can co-ordinate transport. The tour ends after breakfast on Monday 27 July on the outskirts of Edinburgh (last hotel to be confirmed). I will let you know details of the hotel in next few days. There is a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SZwkyW8UM-I/AAAAAAAAE9w/HIlplNKzqlw/s1600-h/929_04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 138px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SZwkyW8UM-I/AAAAAAAAE9w/HIlplNKzqlw/s320/929_04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304154908706223074" border="0" /></a>n excellent train service between Edinburgh and Glasgow. What will the weather be like in July? July is our summer time which can mean temps from around 56 degrees F to 76 degrees F. The temperature is most likely to be in the mid to high 60s F. The layered approach to clothes is best at anytime in Scotland. July can also give us a lot of rain therefore an umbrella and a rain jacket are essential items. Every year seems to be different. We have just suffered our worst winter in 20 years and it is still continuing having started in October. We are therefore hopeful that we will have a hot and sunny summer! Being Scottish, we have to be optimistic. I am hopeful that with the exchange rate now being in your favour that the final cost may be a little lower than the estimate. The final price will be confirmed by end of first week in March.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-21716471547793366802009-02-18T11:49:00.005+00:002009-02-18T15:18:28.885+00:00Dumfries of Robert Burns<a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.globeinndumfries.co.uk/images/pic-corner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://www.globeinndumfries.co.uk/images/pic-corner.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Steve and I travelled to England to visit our family in Yorkshire and further south to visit friends near London. On the way we stopped at Dumfries in the rain to visit the Station Hotel. We liked the Manager who gave me a personal tour round the hotel, which has good sized bedrooms and a nice restuarant and lounge area. It really is beside the station where you can take trains north to Glasgow, west to Stranraer or south to Carlisle. From here you can also walk into town. It is a very nice small town with a good range of shops and steeped in history. After the hotel we visited the Globe Inn which was built in 1610 and was a favourite haunt of Burns. The first Burns Supper was held here in 1819. I have arranged for us to tour the Inn and have an informal Burns Supper including haggis, neeps (turnips) and potatoes accompanied with poems of Burns including "to a Haggis". We will also enjoy accordian music and more. The manager of the Globe Inn is a Burns enthusiast as are the other staff members of the Globe. She would like to have Burns Supper at the Globe every week during this Homecoming Year and is looking forward to welcoming the Clan MacDuff. Anyone who would like to recite a Burns poem or sing a Burns song will be warmly welcomed, but it is not compulsory!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-67818208939263761882009-01-29T08:09:00.018+00:002009-02-18T11:31:26.070+00:00Update Clan Tour - Trip to Isle of Mull<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SZvxV-4ulTI/AAAAAAAAE9o/_H3qRqOVVxU/s1600-h/Mull+short.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SZvxV-4ulTI/AAAAAAAAE9o/_H3qRqOVVxU/s320/Mull+short.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304098346119370034" border="0" /></a>January is not my favourite month for travel as the weather can be very unsettled and the 21st and 22nd were no exception. After visiting several hotels in Oban last year, I suddenly thought how much nicer it would be if you could stay for 2 nights on the Isle of Mull rather than in Oban. I found a nice hotel on the internet, but decided that I better go and check it out for myself. The drive to Oban from Aberfeldy (where I had been visiting my Mother) was very pleasant and I arrived in Oban in good time for the 4pm ferry. I had time to go to McCaig's folly above Oban and look out to sea from there. The views are spectacular with the snow covered mountains at this time of year. The ferry crossing from Oban to Craignure on <st1:place st="on">Mull</st1:place> takes 40 mins, by which time it was dark. In Jan the daylight hours are from around 9am to 4.30pm. When you come in July daylight hours are from 4am until around 9pm which is much better for sightseeing. I stayed in a nice Bed & Breakfast locally. The next morning, I visited the Isle of Mull Hotel at Craignure. It is a lovely long hotel with accommondation only on the ground or first floors. The views are to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Duart</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>, ancestral home of the Clan Maclean. You will have wonderful views to the castle on the ferry into Craignure as well. The manager and receptionist at the hotel were very welcoming and showed me all the hotel facilities which includes a swimming pool and gym area as well as a Spa. I drove from the hotel for just over an hour to Fionnphort where I <a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SYFmmM1PYJI/AAAAAAAAE5s/85meG_VMJg0/s1600-h/P1110599.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296627443230007442" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 240px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SYFmmM1PYJI/AAAAAAAAE5s/85meG_VMJg0/s320/P1110599.JPG" border="0" /></a>planned to embark on the short 10 minute crossing to <st1:place st="on">Iona</st1:place>. I went to pay for my ticket and the purser said are you staying overnight on <st1:place st="on">Iona</st1:place>, I said no I was planning to return on the 3pm ferry. He said the winds getting up the ferry may not be running this afternoon. I gave up the attempt as I<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SYEGg5PS5QI/AAAAAAAAE5I/E4cJwlJpc40/s1600-h/P1110599.JPG"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" stroked="f" filled="f" path=" m@4@5 l@4@11@9@11@9@5 xe" preferrelative="t" spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f><v:path connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" ext="edit"></o:lock><v:shape id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296521798954968322" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" button="t" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SYEGg5PS5QI/AAAAAAAAE5I/E4cJwlJpc40/s1600-h/P1110599.JPG" spid="_x0000_i1025"><v:imagedata href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SYEGg5PS5QI/AAAAAAAAE5I/E4cJwlJpc40/s320/P1110599.JPG" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CELIZAB%7E1.7BD%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_image001.jpg"></v:imagedata><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></v:shape></v:path></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span></a> was due to get the ferry back to Oban in the late afternoon! I had forgotten that when you live on an island or visit one, it is not always possible to do exactly what you want! However hopefully in July, we will not have this problem. Every corner I drove round in the south of <st1:place st="on">Mull</st1:place> gave me new and it seemed even more stunning vistas. One of my very special events that day was I saw very close up a white tailed eagle. They are magnificent birds even larger than our golden eagles and were reintroduced to <st1:place st="on">Mull</st1:place> a few years ago. They are now breeding successfully and their young are repopulating the west coast of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. If you click on the photos above they will open as a larger version in another window. The top photo is a collage of my trip to Mull and the bottom photo shows McCaig's folly when I was leaving Oban on the boat. On the right of the page are links to the hotel and information on Mull and Iona.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">On your arrival in Glasgow we will be staying at the Beardmore Hotel on the banks of the River Clyde. We will spend 2 nights in this lovely hotel which has large and well appointed rooms with views from them to the river Clyde. The hotel is unusual as it is owned by the National Health Service, the only one of its kind in Scotland. I found the management team very friendly and helpful and the porter was a fund of information on the area. It is a short journey by taxi from Glasgow International Airport to the Hotel. A link to the hotel is at the right. From Glasgow a trip is planned to the Falkirk Wheel and Linlithgow Palace. Links are on the right.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">After our trip to Mull and Iona we will be heading south and staying at The Mill Hotel New Lanark for 3 nights. The hotel is also situated on the River Clyde and most rooms in the hotel have views to the river. The Falls of Clyde are a short walk from the hotel. We will also visit the Mills and learn about life in the 1800s. The village first rose to fame when Robert Owen was mill manager from 1800-1825. Owen transformed life in New Lanark with ideas and opportunities which were at least a hundred years ahead of their time. Child labour and corporal punishment were abolished, and villagers were provided with decent homes, schools and evening classes, free health care, and affordable food.A forerunner to our free education and national health service. Links are on the right.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I have provisionally booked a hotel for us in Dumfries and I will be visiting it later in the week. I will write a further report about the remainder of our tour in mid February when I return from a short break in England visiting family and friends. Dumfries is one of the areas along with Alloway and Edinburgh closely associated with Rabbie Burns. The Homecoming year in honour of his memory has started very well with Burns Nights all around the world including one in Harlingen, Texas organised by Warren Kininmonth. I now know who I can get to do an immortal memory for us when we hold our own Burns night on the Clan Tour! Links to Dumfries and the The Gathering are on the right.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">There have been several interesting programmes on Scottish TV this year to do with the History of Scotland, Robert Burns, and Scottish Clans. I have collected these onto DVDs which I hope to show you some of on our travels around Scotland. I am excited that Clan MacDuff is going to be a part of Homecoming Year and am looking forward to renewing friendships and making new ones.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"><v:path connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" ext="edit"><v:imagedata href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SYEGg5PS5QI/AAAAAAAAE5I/E4cJwlJpc40/s320/P1110599.JPG" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CELIZAB%7E1.7BD%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_image001.jpg"></v:imagedata></o:lock></v:path></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:stroke>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-43980221157139214992008-05-15T13:33:00.004+01:002008-05-15T13:46:31.760+01:00Falkirk Wheel, Linlithgow Palace and Church, Da Vinci Code<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesGmglgJiyrMgPddu2PY-62cKpYK15Rs8prTY6DhHFJyhVfRvTQ9sDsGnj0FMrWqDe49KuuYa6CJeoiC7TKvWS-5av-GuP3UuWBJvFhliEs0QBOyA0g8z5HPGhlFyajMBh2idbUc47Z0/s1600-h/Canal.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesGmglgJiyrMgPddu2PY-62cKpYK15Rs8prTY6DhHFJyhVfRvTQ9sDsGnj0FMrWqDe49KuuYa6CJeoiC7TKvWS-5av-GuP3UuWBJvFhliEs0QBOyA0g8z5HPGhlFyajMBh2idbUc47Z0/s200/Canal.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179969695307784034" border="0" /></a>In the interests of research for the Clan Tour, during April with a friend, I visited Linlithgow Palace including the fascinating St Michael's Parish Church and the Falkirk Wheel. Although the wheel has been open for 6 years, this was my first visit. The Falkirk Wheel is unique. Not only is it the first boatlift of its type anywhere, but its combination of engineering ingenuity and architectural imagination creates both an eyecatching working sculpture and Scotland's most unusual tourist attraction. It is a very important <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqSMgER2euKhAm1k4fUhXkuwuJmelPPS4YIM2sdVztR2tOHXA7-_zxC-momsmBQ4lG4h5IhBNAdmPhNcRx4II__mzhExgBKjZypwXYylqplVhZkLvcpXHu__9JgXem1hhsa_TKB2zF9A/s1600-h/canal+boat.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqSMgER2euKhAm1k4fUhXkuwuJmelPPS4YIM2sdVztR2tOHXA7-_zxC-momsmBQ4lG4h5IhBNAdmPhNcRx4II__mzhExgBKjZypwXYylqplVhZkLvcpXHu__9JgXem1hhsa_TKB2zF9A/s200/canal+boat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179969927236018034" border="0" /></a>canal structure whose computer controlled machinery gracefully raises or lowers 500 tonnes of boats and water the 25 metre difference between two canals appears complex; but is deceptively simple. As you experience the journey through a canal tunnel and across an aqueduct - before seeming to drop off the end as your boat is lowered by the Wheel - you will be enjoying the most memorable yet gentle of white knuckle rides.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXBUAH4YkWfwFWHNV8B42lGIGhbgZLAhnTndafFbCD_3OWmrDlcFkVOlmhfFgzNw40FdxIMW7u6v1a1LoZG5HKDJ7YWPql_AMS0yq8um5MSShVV57kUhuIoosEJGBWmzmgBdWC50L7dA/s1600-h/Wheel+half.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXBUAH4YkWfwFWHNV8B42lGIGhbgZLAhnTndafFbCD_3OWmrDlcFkVOlmhfFgzNw40FdxIMW7u6v1a1LoZG5HKDJ7YWPql_AMS0yq8um5MSShVV57kUhuIoosEJGBWmzmgBdWC50L7dA/s200/Wheel+half.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179970309488107394" border="0" /></a>The Millenium Link Project has refurbished two major canals; the 61 km long Forth & Clyde and the Union Canal, originally 51km. They are now connected by the Falkirk Wheel where the Union Canal has been lengthened by 2km. The Forth & Clyde is Scotland's oldest canal and runs from Bowling on the Clyde to Grangemouth on the Firth of Forth which was completed in 1790 and created the World's first sea to sea ship canal. The Union Canal known as a contour canal as there are no locks along its main length was completed in 1822. The 2 canals were linked by a flight of 11 locks. The Forth & Clyde canal was closed in 1963 and the Union in 1965. The restoration of the canals has involved the repair or reconstruction work on many of its 500 structures - including bridges, locks and acqueducts. It has been an amazing project. It has become a must see visitor attraction in Scotland ranking just behind Edinburgh Castle!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SCwo8VSKyGI/AAAAAAAAAuA/hCyQQrQYnXY/s1600-h/P3162194.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 256px;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SCwo8VSKyGI/AAAAAAAAAuA/hCyQQrQYnXY/s320/P3162194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200576686676691042" border="0" /></a>There are a couple of photos of Linlithgow Palace already on the blog. The current palace was started<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SCwnnFSKyFI/AAAAAAAAAt4/OSr6zWNg9dU/s1600-h/P3162204.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 252px;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SCwnnFSKyFI/AAAAAAAAAt4/OSr6zWNg9dU/s320/P3162204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200575222092843090" border="0" /></a> by James I in 1425 after a major fire destroyed the previous castle, church and the town. The Stuart Kings were all involved with additions to it. James V and Mary Queen of Scots were both born here. St Michael's Parish Church is at the entrance to the castle and is still in use today as the parish church. This was my first visit to it and I was overwhelmed by its size and beauty. This was enhanced by members of the congregation who were present to give us information on the church and the stunningly beautiful stained glass windows. After the fire it took 115 years to rebuild. In 1992 the 750th anniversary of a church on this site was celebrated with the installation of a new stained glass window in St Katherine's Aisle by Crear McCartney. Shown is close up of part of this stunning window. <p> But the most striking change was the addition in 1964 of a crown to replace the one removed in 1821. This needed to be light to avoid overloading the tower, and the 58ft high crown you see today is made of aluminium anodised to a gold finish. As you can imagine it is quite a controversial addition as a blend of old and modern.<br /></p> <p> It would be easy for St Michael's Church to be overwhelmed by its massive and much better known neighbour, Linlithgow Palace. The fact that this has not happened owes much to the quality of work and vision of those responsible for its rebuilding in the 115 years to 1540: and the efforts of those since 1894 to remedy some of what was done to the church from 1559 to 1813.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SCwralSKyHI/AAAAAAAAAuI/J3y3CNyge7I/s1600-h/P3152134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 279px;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/SCwralSKyHI/AAAAAAAAAuI/J3y3CNyge7I/s320/P3152134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200579405390989426" border="0" /></a>During this trip to the Edinburgh area, I also visited Rosslyn Chapel seen in the wonderful film and DVD of the Da Vinci Code. I saw this film for the first time while visiting Bob and Maria in Florida in 2006. I have visited Rosslyn Chapel a few times, over the year, and always learn new information about this exquisite building during each visit. It was famous originally for the Apprentice pillar which the story goes was designed and built by an apprentice while the master mason was away from the site. When he returned and saw how beautiful the pillar was, he flew into a rage and killed the apprentice. Now many thousands of people visit it because of it appearing in the film. If tour members wish to visit the chapel, then it can be included on the tour.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-58804260593885768942008-03-08T15:27:00.009+00:002008-03-15T09:03:35.598+00:00Clan Tour Facts - 2009 Homecoming Scotland<div align="justify">Homecoming Scotland 2009 - marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of our national poet and international cultural icon Robert Burns whose message of friendship and 'Auld Lang Syne' lives on. 2009 will be a celebration of not only Robert Burns but some of Scotland's great contributions to the world: Burns, Golf, Whisky, The Scottish Enlightenment and Innovation, as well as our rich culture and heritage which lives on at home and through the many people of Scots descent who live around the world. A highlight of the planned events will be the Gathering with the Clan Parade and Pageant at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday 25 July. It will be very exciting to be part of this unique experience.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-h0YVNM2DAIJ5T5TzlB-XKzMiIZClD_F5wGc0uH5h7EA_SkFeW6IzwfPfZlcUris63b_oS2eZxJE6Sqql4ZSKY9AI8T92OdWWPH_uCaz75nIHB804ZMwSSzKbm0rDGB5ttHZDtcOcDw/s1600-h/Group+St+Machars1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175660805021012258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-h0YVNM2DAIJ5T5TzlB-XKzMiIZClD_F5wGc0uH5h7EA_SkFeW6IzwfPfZlcUris63b_oS2eZxJE6Sqql4ZSKY9AI8T92OdWWPH_uCaz75nIHB804ZMwSSzKbm0rDGB5ttHZDtcOcDw/s320/Group+St+Machars1.JPG" border="0" /></a>On our tour we will visit the home of Sir Walter Scott who in 1822 persuaded most of Scotland's leading figures to wear tartan to celebrate the Royal visit of George IV to Edinburgh. He even got the King to wear the kilt! It is hoped that Clansmen from around the world will wear their tartan with pride for the parade and pageant. I know from our previous tours that the MacDuff's love to wear their tartan. This photo was taken in St Machars Cathedral in Aberdeen where we had celebrated the renewal of the wedding vows of Paul and Priscilla Schmitz on the 2001 tour.<br /><br />Bob & Maria Spence, Deep South Regional Conveners are the Clan MacDuff'09 Tour Coordinators in America while I, Elizabeth Kininmonth-Oliver will be the Organiser in Scotland. The provisional tour costs is $2500 per person for 2 people sharing and $2800 per person for a single room. The costs have to be provisional at this stage, as the hotels and visitor attractions are unable to confirm the costs for 2009 this early in 2008. We can also hope the $ to £ rate of exchange many improve. A deposit of $600 is requested to be paid to Bob, full details in the Clan Newsletter.<br /><br />The tour price includes meals from dinner on 15 July to breakfast on 27 July - there may be a couple of lunches and dinners that are not included, to allow you the opportunity to try local restaurants either at lunch or dinner: entrance fees to all tourist att<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R9PCR5EwkTI/AAAAAAAAArI/D2sxFORoiO8/s1600-h/Kilchurn+castle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175694009413177650" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R9PCR5EwkTI/AAAAAAAAArI/D2sxFORoiO8/s200/Kilchurn+castle.jpg" border="0" /></a>ractions along with coach and ferry travel to our destinations: porterage of 1 piece of luggage per person at hotels: gratuities for staff at hotels.<br /><br />Weather in Scotland in July is likely to be variable with temperatures varying from 55 degrees to 80 degrees fahrenheit. It can also rain! The landscape usually looks very green in July and the bell heather will be in bloom, adding bright purple hues as we travel across the moors to Oban and Glencoe. Kilchurn Castle is at the end of Loch Awe and is much photographed. I was lucky as the cloud lifted allowing the sun to spotlight the castle.<br /><br />Details of the daily tours is in the article below.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><b><span lang="EN-US"><p class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><br /></p><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761766790834410236.post-46878222472272877872008-03-05T11:06:00.084+00:002008-03-28T01:02:05.925+00:00Clan MacDuff Tour 2009<h3></h3><p align="justify"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">15 July</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Arrival at the Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre in <st1:place st="on">Clydebank</st1:place>. A Meet & Greet is arranged for 6 p.m. followed by Dinner at 7 p.m.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">16 July</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> A</span> </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">leisurely start today with Coach</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">d</span><span style="font-size:100%;">eparting at 9.3</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R866p8g8i4I/AAAAAAAAAqk/ynkFl7UlORI/s1600-h/Falkirk+wheel+photo+library_01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174278251676994434" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R866p8g8i4I/AAAAAAAAAqk/ynkFl7UlORI/s200/Falkirk+wheel+photo+library_01.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >0 a.m. Visits today include the Falkirk W</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >heel and Linlithgow palace. The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Falkirk wheel</span> connects the the Forth & Clyde and Union canals and enables boats to travel from <st1:city st="on">Edinburgh</st1:city> to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Glasgow</st1:place></st1:city> or vice versa. The Wheel was built as a result of receiving Millenium Funding and showcases engineering of the 21st Century. Later in the tour we will be investigating engineering from the time of the industrial revolution in the 19th Century.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Linlithgo</st1:placename></st1:place></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">w</st1:placename> </st1:place></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Palace</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>transports us back t</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >o an earlier era. A royal</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R87Vlsg8i6I/AAAAAAAAAq4/YbUMW7-xRLA/s1600-h/P4269844.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174307865476500386" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R87Vlsg8i6I/AAAAAAAAAq4/YbUMW7-xRLA/s200/P4269844.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >manor stood on this site i</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >n 1300 and was fortified and lived in by Edward I and Edward II of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>. After the battle of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bannockburn</st1:place></st1:city> </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >in 1314, it was abandoned by the English. The current ruined castle was built from 1425 by the Stuart Kings of <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> after a fire in 1424 destroyed the manor and the town of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Linlithgow</st1:place></st1:city>. Mary Queen of S</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >c</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >ots was born here on 8 December 1542. The <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Church</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">St Michael</st1:placename></st1:place> on the castle site also has</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > a</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > fascinating history and is still in use today having celebrated it's 750th anniversary in 1992. Overnight at the Beardmore Hotel.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >17 July </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Today we will visit Alloway birthplace of Rob</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9DQlpBtNT-u7FGZjJ4xOjgZ8Donx-gwVGLTDY9_Oiu7K0t0e3OWvkULyTkRYEifhdNq3hVHj4fiAf5wPWV9ElFwxtLBDAsFbJofmjPQNzuGOrFvjreYI5F45BF_WWJdyxpfmCBK4Gcc/s1600-h/burns+cottagebanner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174277448518110050" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9DQlpBtNT-u7FGZjJ4xOjgZ8Donx-gwVGLTDY9_Oiu7K0t0e3OWvkULyTkRYEifhdNq3hVHj4fiAf5wPWV9ElFwxtLBDAsFbJofmjPQNzuGOrFvjreYI5F45BF_WWJdyxpfmCBK4Gcc/s200/burns+cottagebanner.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >ert Burns and <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Culzean</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place> in Ayrshire. 2009 is the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Robe</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >rt Burns born on 25th January 1759 - a wonderful time to visit his home and learn about our most famous poet. At the southern end of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alloway</span> are the <st1:placename st="on">Burns</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Monument</st1:placetype>, Garde</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >n and Statue House, the Brig o' Doon and the Tam o' Shanter Experience which together f</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >orm the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Burns</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">National</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Heritage</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Not far away is Alloway Old Kirk which played a starring role in the poem Tam</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > o' Shanter. At the northern end of Alloway are Burns Cottage and the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Burns</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Cottage</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>. It is fascinating to view some of Burns original letters and poems. Leter in the Tour, we will follow Robert Burns' life to <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place>.</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><p align="justify"><br /></p></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R865oMg8i1I/AAAAAAAAAqM/YijmbOQKxxw/s1600-h/Culzean+Castle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174277122100595538" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R865oMg8i1I/AAAAAAAAAqM/YijmbOQKxxw/s320/Culzean+Castle.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Culzean</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>was started in the 1590s which means that it was already 200 years old when Robert Burns was born. However it was </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >in the 18th century that it</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > was transformed from a simple tower house into a</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >neoclassical mansion. Culzean castle today is the result of many years of restoration by the National Trust of Scotland. R</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >obert Adam who was the leading architect of his day was involved in the 18th century refurbishment. In Novembe</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >r 1945 Dwight Eisenhower was invited to accept a tenacy of a specially created guest flat at Culzean castle as a thank you from the Scottish people for <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Americas</st1:place></st1:country-region> support during the 2nd World War. An exhibition on the first floor of the cas</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >tle, highlight the achievements of General Eisenhowe</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >r. Overnight at the Beardmore Hotel.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R865Lcg8i0I/AAAAAAAAAqE/9R5pm59n_Zw/s1600-h/lomond+loch_view1.jpeg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174276628179356482" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R865Lcg8i0I/AAAAAAAAAqE/9R5pm59n_Zw/s200/lomond+loch_view1.jpeg" border="0" /></a><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;">18 July </span></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Travel north and west today with a cruise on <st1:place st="on">Loch<span style="font-size:0;"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R8XraYonw3I/AAAAAAAAAeA/Zk2KthWnRBU/s1600-h/lomond+loch_view1.jpeg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><v:shape id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171798585626837874" button="t" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R8XraYonw3I/AAAAAAAAAeA/Zk2KthWnRBU/s1600-h/lomond+loch_view1.jpeg" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75" spid="_x0000_i1030"> <v:imagedata href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R8XraYonw3I/AAAAAAAAAeA/Zk2KthWnRBU/s200/lomond+loch_view1.jpeg" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CELIZAB%7E1.7BD%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_image006.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape></span></a></span></st1:place></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><st1:place st="on">Lo</st1:place></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><st1:place st="on">mond</st1:place>, a visit to the Cruachan underground Power Statio</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >n and a 2 night stay in Oban. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Loch Lomond </span>is one of the most beautiful areas o</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >f natural beauty in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> and became our first National Park in 2</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >002. Loch Lomond and the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Trossach</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">National Park</st1:placetype></st1:place> has an area of 750 square miles. We will enjoy a short cruise on Loch</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Lomond, the largest inland loch in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> (24 miles</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > long by 5 miles wide), to gain views of the mountains, islands and wildlife. We will drive north through the park for lunch at Cria</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >nlarich. In the</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > afternoon we will visit the </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R864_sg8izI/AAAAAAAAAp8/TGwx_btszYs/s1600-h/cruachan+gallery_exterior1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174276426315893554" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R864_sg8izI/AAAAAAAAAp8/TGwx_btszYs/s200/cruachan+gallery_exterior1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cruachan</span> </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >underground power station. Situated on the side of Loch Awe, the power station is in a cavern under Ben Cruachan. This is the first high head reversible pumped storage hydro scheme.</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >The visitor centre hous</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >es the free exhibition area </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R864p8g8iyI/AAAAAAAAAp0/9GI8qfVniAc/s1600-h/Oban.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174276052653738786" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R864p8g8iyI/AAAAAAAAAp0/9GI8qfVniAc/s200/Oban.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >and is the starting point for our guided tour. The power </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >station lies one kilometre</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > below ground in a massive cavern, high enough to house the</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">London</st1:placename></st1:place>. Here turbines convert the power of water into electricity, available at </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >the flick of a switch. This is an underground world on a spectacular scale. Around 5 p.m. we will arrive in Oban, the "Ga</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >teway to the Isles", this picturesque port with its thriving arts and crafts tradition.</span><br /></div><p align="justify"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R87DwMg8i5I/AAAAAAAAAqw/3TjW3r2VnBg/s1600-h/Lighthouse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174288254655826834" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R87DwMg8i5I/AAAAAAAAAqw/3TjW3r2VnBg/s200/Lighthouse.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">19 July</span> This is ou</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >r day to explore 2 islands, Mull and <st1:place st="on">Iona</st1:place>. We will take th</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >e ferry from clo</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >se to our </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >hotel to Craignure on the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Mull</st1:placename></st1:place>. We will visit Duart castle home of the Clan McLean and the enchanted religious <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Iona</st1:placename></st1:place>. The ferry trip takes 40 minutes and the trip goes through some </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZEcvd2nhh4zZLUwGx-Avx5MQSqTo0fsUqfQ9FG4Q7BnsLoGLzyjDUqmXWMIoxs0Zc72aXaSOQI8C1xTe3z2WmHDELASfoKhRokLmUpvM4JLUZPTtatkkOFSbVbABSqxyEVLb9xdPvc0/s1600-h/Iona+cross.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174273355414276866" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZEcvd2nhh4zZLUwGx-Avx5MQSqTo0fsUqfQ9FG4Q7BnsLoGLzyjDUqmXWMIoxs0Zc72aXaSOQI8C1xTe3z2WmHDELASfoKhRokLmUpvM4JLUZPTtatkkOFSbVbABSqxyEVLb9xdPvc0/s200/Iona+cross.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >enchanting mountain scenery. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mull</span> is a wild and beautiful island with over 300 miles of dramatic scenic coa</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >stline and stunning beaches which rise to the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">pe</st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">ak</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Mulls</st1:placename></st1:place>' highest</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >mountain Ben More at</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >3000 feet. <st1:place st="on">Mull</st1:place> is a nature lover's dream with wildlife galore to marvel at on </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >and around the island. It </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >is possible to see </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R861q8g8ivI/AAAAAAAAApc/nhqseIbo9k4/s1600-h/Iona+Abbey.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174272771298724594" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R861q8g8ivI/AAAAAAAAApc/nhqseIbo9k4/s320/Iona+Abbey.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >otters, sea eagles, </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >whales and seals. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Io</span></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">na</span> is often referred to as the '</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Cradle of Christianit</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >y' in <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>; as, in 563 AD, this was the first </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >place in <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> that St Columba landed after being </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >banished from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. To this day, Iona Abbey retains its spiritual atmosphere and remain</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >s one of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotlands</st1:place></st1:country-region> most sacred and historic sites. Attractions include the Abbey itself, St Columba's writing cell and a superb collection of over 180 medieval carved stones and crosses. The <st1:place st="on">Iona</st1:place> community continues the tradition of daily worship and visitors are welcome to attend the daily services. </span></div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Standing proudly on a clifftop guarding the Sound of Mull, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Duart castle</span> enjoys one of the most spectacular and unique positions on the West Coast of Scotland. For over 400 years this has been the base of the Clan Maclean's sea-borne power. Duart was originally a rectangular wall enclosing a courtyard. In 1350 Lachlan L</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R9PJ8ZEwkXI/AAAAAAAAAro/ndWeR6oiv8Y/s1600-h/duart+castle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175702436139012466" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R9PJ8ZEwkXI/AAAAAAAAAro/ndWeR6oiv8Y/s200/duart+castle.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ubanach, the 5th Chief, married Mary Macdonald, the daughter of the Lord of the Isles and she was given Duart as her dowry. Lachlan Lubanach built the keep (tower house) on the outside of the original curtain wall but forming an integral part with it, and enclosed the well. Later in the mid 17th century small vaulted cellars with a hall at first floor level and perhaps a small chamber above, were built within the courtyard on the <st1:place st="on">South East side</st1:place>. At the same time the defence to the gateway entrance to the courtyard was strengthened by a two story gatehouse. In 1673 Sir Allan Maclean rebuilt the three story building on the <st1:place st="on">North East side</st1:place> of the courtyard, facing the entrance. There was a kitchen at ground floor level and residential rooms above. In 1691 the Macleans surrendered Duart and all their lands on <st1:place st="on">Mull</st1:place> to the Duke of Argyll. The Castle, although in a fairly ruinous condition was used as a garrison for Government troops until 1751. It was then abandoned until 1910 when it was purchased by Sir Fitzroy Maclean, 26th Chief. He then set about the enormous task of restoring the building.<o:p></o:p></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > We return by ferry to Oban</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >and stay there overnight.</span><br /></p><span style="font-size:0;"><p align="justify"><br /></p></span><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">20 July </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Today travel north to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Glencoe</span> "The Glen of Weep</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeY2asrB_cDrvEelZg3a-ZFoy4cdqfeMo14jMXqkIoWRGWx2P2MBPlYf3bxHFYdupAaCbVSJ8MWVAONiJDEsTlJQQa0C6kLXmkv4E4Gk5cYCdHbUEe0zYWHQFPWdrsUMHxEA-Fw_RO4PY/s1600-h/buttresses.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174272358981864162" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeY2asrB_cDrvEelZg3a-ZFoy4cdqfeMo14jMXqkIoWRGWx2P2MBPlYf3bxHFYdupAaCbVSJ8MWVAONiJDEsTlJQQa0C6kLXmkv4E4Gk5cYCdHbUEe0zYWHQFPWdrsUMHxEA-Fw_RO4PY/s200/buttresses.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ing" whe</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">re the Campells murder</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ed the McDonalds in 1592; from there we head south for a fascinatin</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">g visit to <st1:place st="on">Stirling</st1:place>. Glen Coe is a steep-sided valley climbing steadily south east from the <st1:placetype st="on">village</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Glencoe</st1:placename> on the sea-loch, <st1:place st="on">Loch Leven</st1:place>. It</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;" > </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">emerges from its enveloping mountains onto Rannoch moor. Glen Coe</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> is best known for an event that took place at 5 a.m. on the morning of 13 February 1692, but whose origins go back much further. For the previous two hundred years the Glen Coe MacDonald's had been regarded as cattle-thieves, especially by the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Campbell's</st1:place></st1:city>, whose more fertile lands lay towards Loch Awe to the south and Glen Lyon to the south east. After a stop here to enjoy the beauty of this area we will head south</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;" > </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">reaching <st1:place st="on">Stirling</st1:place> in time for lunch.</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><p align="justify"><br /></p></span><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We will go to </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpxvZReiFEXB3QPbVNBx5abG7g3DpF9IsmiqfwiksW09SiQrV-FBUDKtPp8dhiA2e2uQoewGmT53jJJI50_tHvykdUdGks8nw9A2jt_363G-08GAt8zddBmDci8YR_2DHonKaJO801yE/s1600-h/bruce.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174254723846146770" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpxvZReiFEXB3QPbVNBx5abG7g3DpF9IsmiqfwiksW09SiQrV-FBUDKtPp8dhiA2e2uQoewGmT53jJJI50_tHvykdUdGks8nw9A2jt_363G-08GAt8zddBmDci8YR_2DHonKaJO801yE/s200/bruce.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><st1:city st="on"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Bannockburn</span></st1:city></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> site of</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> the 1314 battle won against all the odds by Robert the Bruce against Edward II of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>. This win led to the re establishment of an Independent Scotland and a few years later to the Declaration of Arbroath. The journey will continue with visits to <st1:placename st="on">Stirling</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype> and the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Wallace</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Monument</st1:placename></st1:place>. <st1:placename style="font-weight: bold;" st="on">Stirling</st1:placename><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype style="font-weight: bold;" st="on">Castle</st1:placetype><span style="font-weight: bold;">'s</span> location rivals even <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Edinburgh</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place> for sheer magnificance as it sits on its high volcanic rock, visible for many miles in every direction. The site is important as <st1:place st="on">Stirling</st1:place> guards the crossing </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">point of the River Forth and would have </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkItiwHyZJdHkfVUGyTqe0_KyDRGKet2Mob7FQdlB0ruF3FwVcBofZgMueYL9X9OA5TXuZTUAREiAMrtQGDxM6hOUCTa-FLmU88Xosn4HT6cAz-BF2yjabTTtXvyRjYDCCMfVyjfy5y-M/s1600-h/Stirling+castle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174254461853141698" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkItiwHyZJdHkfVUGyTqe0_KyDRGKet2Mob7FQdlB0ruF3FwVcBofZgMueYL9X9OA5TXuZTUAREiAMrtQGDxM6hOUCTa-FLmU88Xosn4HT6cAz-BF2yjabTTtXvyRjYDCCMfVyjfy5y-M/s320/Stirling+castle.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">been of strategic interest to anyone wanting to control central Scotla</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nd. The c</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">astle provided a home for Scottish Kings and Queens from the days of Alexander I until the <st1:place st="on">Union</st1:place> of the Scottish and English Crowns under James VI. The Great Hall was built between 1501 and 1504 by James IV. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s National Hero, <span style="font-weight: bold;">William Wallace</span> was born in 1270. In 1297 he led an uprising against the English which spread th</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">roughout south and central <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Teaming with Sir Andrew de Moray and his men, the Scottish forces soundly defeated the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Following this victory Wallace was knighted and became Guardian of the Realm. After a full and exciting day learning many aspects of Scottish history and travelling through some stunning landscapes, it will be lovely to relax at New Lanark.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">21 July </span>A more relaxed day today with a visit to the <st1:placename st="on">Kelvingrove</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Art</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Gallery</st1:placename> and Museum in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Glasgow</st1:place></st1:city> which was </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">refurbished and reopened in </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2006. The architecture, art and displays are </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86j1cg8ipI/AAAAAAAAAos/KG2VTJBilPE/s1600-h/P6294350.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174253160478050962" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86j1cg8ipI/AAAAAAAAAos/KG2VTJBilPE/s320/P6294350.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">stunning. We will also spend some time at <span style="font-weight: bold;">New Lanark</span> learning about Robert Owen and his Mill and millworkers. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Also time to enjoy the leisure facilities at the New Lanark Mill Hotel. New Lanark Cotton Mill and village has been beautifully restored and is a World Heritage site. The fascinating history of this 18th century cotton mill village </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yJ6VAOK-UR2WS8xbx1tbd848xLreuRCCGhzn3IqRGB5FhBL6LChl7pOrK7oskuFmW36h6YXjoJuZPm7iBODHlBqspQahRak2hkQNUxPmFkntW0Mz79xzHVqljb498SPFiAyHlxQhRn8/s1600-h/P6294326.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174253598564715170" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yJ6VAOK-UR2WS8xbx1tbd848xLreuRCCGhzn3IqRGB5FhBL6LChl7pOrK7oskuFmW36h6YXjoJuZPm7iBODHlBqspQahRak2hkQNUxPmFkntW0Mz79xzHVqljb498SPFiAyHlxQhRn8/s200/P6294326.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nestled in</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">to</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> spectacular south Lanarkshire</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> valle</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">y in southern <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> close to the</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Falls</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Clyde</st1:placename></st1:place>. The village first rose to fame </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">when Robert Owen was mill manager 1800-1825. O</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">wen transformed life in New Lanark with ideas</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> a</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nd opportunites which were at least a h</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">undred years ahead of their time. Child labour and corporal punishment were abolished, and villagers were provided with decent home, schools and evening classes, free health care, and affordable food. Highlights of any visit will include the magical New Millennium Experience ride and an a</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">udio-visual theatre show called 'Annie McLeod's Story' where the ghost of a mill girl appears on stage.</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><p align="justify"><br /></p></span><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZ2sFVyCrMAbNYZKK2hyphenhyphenC63AgjetI8fwZG0Gq3uKl9vdrdyf1iR3kpoAf742OFWC6bYP9WEO2D1yya5W8ZWIfdM_6hrkw3MDzlmCiutBhBPthFFoDzxA5Q6o6CG9HWCa9IgxtRUjeKJ8/s1600-h/P9203035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174236251191806546" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZ2sFVyCrMAbNYZKK2hyphenhyphenC63AgjetI8fwZG0Gq3uKl9vdrdyf1iR3kpoAf742OFWC6bYP9WEO2D1yya5W8ZWIfdM_6hrkw3MDzlmCiutBhBPthFFoDzxA5Q6o6CG9HWCa9IgxtRUjeKJ8/s320/P9203035.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The </span><st1:placename style="font-weight: bold;" st="on">Kelvingrove</st1:placename><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placename style="font-weight: bold;" st="on">Art</st1:placename><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placename style="font-weight: bold;" st="on">Gallery</st1:placename><span style="font-weight: bold;"> and Museum</span> is a fabulous space to display art and artefacts from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> and beyond. Scottish Art is little known outside <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>, but we had some very talented artists in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There is work by the Glasgow Boys - a group of Scottish artist w</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ho rebelled </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">against Victorian </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">sentimentality and revolutionised Scottish painting between 1880 and 1895. The Scottish Colourists - Fergusson, Peploe, Cadell and Hunter brought a colourful French style to Scottish painting. We can compare our Scottish artist with work by French, Italian and Dutch artists</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. If our artists are not well known, many people have heard of </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">C</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">harles Rennie Mackintosh the famous architect and designer who like man</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">y b</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">efore him was better known in <st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region> than <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">S</st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">cotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. However much of his wor</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86dlsg8imI/AAAAAAAAAoU/aegU_5XjmCE/s1600-h/Panel+Rennie+Mackintosh.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174246292825344610" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86dlsg8imI/AAAAAAAAAoU/aegU_5XjmCE/s320/Panel+Rennie+Mackintosh.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">k in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Glasgow</st1:city></st1:place> can still be seen today and examples of it are on display at the museum. We can also explore Scottish wildlife and life in Scottish lochs. There is also an opportunity to learn a little about Scotland's first people. The museum is an amazing experience. I have already visited twice and look forward to my next visit!</span> </div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">22 July </span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:verdana;" >Today we head south to Dumfries and <st1:place st="on">Galloway</st1:place>. Our first stop today is at Gretna Green - famous for run away marriages over the centuries; a short stop at the Ruth</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:100%;" >well cross and then a visit to Caerlaverlock Castle. After lunch we will visit one of many Border Abbeys<st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"></st1:placename><st1:placetype st="on"></st1:placetype></st1:place> - Sweetheart and the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">John</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Paul</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Jones</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> - Father of the American Navy.</span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86Tvsg8ikI/AAAAAAAAAoE/v3kPIubj4CA/s1600-h/gretnagreen-450.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174235469507758658" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86Tvsg8ikI/AAAAAAAAAoE/v3kPIubj4CA/s200/gretnagreen-450.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;" >Every year over 4000 we</span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;" >ddings take place in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gretna Green</span> which amounts to about one in eight of all weddings that take place in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Gretna Green lies a mile across the border into <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>. In 1754 a marriage act in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> meant that noone could get married there under the age of 21 without parental consent. This law did n</span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;" >ot apply in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> where anyone of 16 or over can get married without their parents' consent. Gretna Green was the first </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86TjMg8ijI/AAAAAAAAAn8/TMyPtJvY7Gs/s1600-h/ruthwell.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174235254759393842" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86TjMg8ijI/AAAAAAAAAn8/TMyPtJvY7Gs/s200/ruthwell.gif" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;" >place you reached in <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> when following the main route north from <st1:place st="on">Carlisle</st1:place> and thus became a centre for runaway marriages. The act of marriage came to be marked by the blacksmith striking his anvil, symbolising the joining together two pieces of metal in the heat of the blacksmith's fire. Like them the couples involved were joined to the heat of the moment and bound together for eternity.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Ruthwell Cross</span> was carved in the early 8th century. It is richly decorated with Christian symbols. The two faces are carved with a series of panels, each one illustrating </span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;" >a scene from the Gospels and accompanied by a Latin test. It is the most important Ango-Saxon cross in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> and a monument of international importance.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><st1:placename st="on"></st1:placename></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86TOMg8iiI/AAAAAAAAAn0/3HtyS3DYgik/s1600-h/caverlockfromsouthwestx-450.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174234893982140962" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86TOMg8iiI/AAAAAAAAAn0/3HtyS3DYgik/s320/caverlockfromsouthwestx-450.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><st1:placename st="on"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Caerlaverock</span></st1:placename></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype style="font-weight: bold;" st="on">Castle</st1:placetype> <span style="font-size:100%;">is one of the most attractive and interesting castles in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. It is surrounded by a moat and is</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R8gWN_jf80I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/icRLf-PAP44/s1600-h/caverlockfromsouthwestx-450.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><v:shape id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172408601689453378" button="t" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R8gWN_jf80I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/icRLf-PAP44/s1600-h/caverlockfromsouthwestx-450.jpg" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75" spid="_x0000_i1027"> <v:imagedata href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R8gWN_jf80I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/icRLf-PAP44/s320/caverlockfromsouthwestx-450.jpg" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CELIZAB%7E1.7BD%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_image004.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape></span></a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >a most unusual shape, an equilateral triangle with its apex at the huge northern gatehouse. This castle was started in 1270, completed by 1300 when it was successfully besieged by 87 knights and 3000 men of Edward I of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-weight: normal;">. The English retained the castle until 1312. The castle was </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: normal;">bes</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: normal;">ieged again in 13</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">56 this time by the Scots who were not sure of Maxwell's loyalty to the crown. The castle we will view mainly dates back to the rebuilding in the late 1300's and 1400s. After the union of the crowns in 1603, peace finally descended on the borders after 400 years of sporadic warfare. In 1634 Robert Maxwell, the First Earl of Nithsdale, built the east range whose ornamental stonework still dominates the interior of the castle.</span><br /><br /></span></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;" >The substantial remains of <span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sweetheart Abbey</span>,</span> near the <st1:placetype st="on">village</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">New Abbey</st1:placename> are the testament of the love John Balliol's w</span><a style="font-weight: normal;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqbaksv2mtoq60vqOE7MVk7fWP0UioghLucSZ39b1OYM3P3GZH0I2oP85Ch1CwHbOAsnpdNTAjcOjSo8jqhJSA3MGUQq286cBu8AHOU-8asPGNjwMWw7ec4O2vw9UKbTAQl853fp_aDA/s1600-h/sweetheart+nave.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174234249737046530" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqbaksv2mtoq60vqOE7MVk7fWP0UioghLucSZ39b1OYM3P3GZH0I2oP85Ch1CwHbOAsnpdNTAjcOjSo8jqhJSA3MGUQq286cBu8AHOU-8asPGNjwMWw7ec4O2vw9UKbTAQl853fp_aDA/s200/sweetheart+nave.jpg" border="0" /></a><st1:place style="font-weight: normal;" st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ife</span></st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;" > Lady</span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;" > Devorgilla had for him. On 10 April 1273 she signed a charter establishing a new Cistercian abbey here in memory of her husband who had died four years earlier. Thanks to the Reformation her later endowment of a college at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Oxford</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> in his name turned out to be a more enduring memorial. After her death in 1290 Lady Devorgilla was buried in the sancturay of the abbey church with the casket containing her husband's heart. Sweetheart Abbey stopped being a religious community after t</span><a style="font-weight: normal;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86SHcg8ifI/AAAAAAAAAnc/3MwMGVLD4W4/s1600-h/john+Paul+jones+cottage.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174233678506396146" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R86SHcg8ifI/AAAAAAAAAnc/3MwMGVLD4W4/s200/john+Paul+jones+cottage.gif" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R8geT_jf83I/AAAAAAAAAio/uJbo4qFp6NA/s1600-h/john+Paul+jones+cottage.gif"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >he Reformation of 1560. Over the centuries stone from the Abbey was used to build in the surrounding area. In 1779 local subscribers clubbed together to conserve the remaind</span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >er of the abbey church.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Our final visit today is to the birthplace <st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">museum</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">John Paul J</st1:placename></st1:place></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:placename st="on">ones</st1:placename></st1:place>. He was born in 1747 in a traditional Scottish cottage. He was a contemporary of Robert Burns and is considered to be the "Father of the American Navy".</span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><p align="justify"><br /></p></span><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">23 July</span> A more relaxed day, we will spend the morning visiting <st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"></st1:place><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on">Dumfries</st1:place><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>and </span><a style="font-weight: normal;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPSifeabrETd2WLadOUChoeSQKC2LbvLjcHYVJEhmSOwoTazqhGm3wRHS9I5YLSdf_voU5XNQI-CxL6l0FJTiydXI0dPdZI6CGaeQi818g5tZclufOkpFH84W4q-mNOdbqqwETHH6TOc/s1600-h/RBrobertburns.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174231664166734306" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPSifeabrETd2WLadOUChoeSQKC2LbvLjcHYVJEhmSOwoTazqhGm3wRHS9I5YLSdf_voU5XNQI-CxL6l0FJTiydXI0dPdZI6CGaeQi818g5tZclufOkpFH84W4q-mNOdbqqwETHH6TOc/s200/RBrobertburns.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ellisland Farm wh</span></span><v:imagedata style="font-weight: normal;" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R83aEsg8iRI/AAAAAAAAAj0/erFxhIMLa8A/s320/burns+statuegreyfriars.jpg" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CELIZAB%7E1.7BD%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_image008.jpg"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >ere Burns' farmed and after lunch we </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >will visit Threave House and their beautiful gardens along with a visit to Kirkc</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >u</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >dbright. <span>Dumfries</span> was founded as a Royal Burgh in 1186 on the east side of the lowest crossing point of the River Nith. No visit to <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place> would be complete without seeing the Globe Inn, Burns Howff. It was indeed his favourite HOWFF (an inn or meeting place) and with its close retains much of its former atmosphere. Robert Burns </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >was 29, in the prime of his life and the peak of his powers when he came to <span>Ellisland Farm</span> in <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place>. Many of his best loved nature poems were </span><v:imagedata href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R8hAhfjf85I/AAAAAAAAAi4/t0kb4apVWNI/s200/ellisland.gif" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CELIZAB%7E1.7BD%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_image010.png"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >nspired by the tranquil setting of Ellisland farm. Today it provides great insight into life on a farm 200 years ago. Tam O'Shanter was</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > written here and is proba</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >bly his best known poem. The following is the first few lines from it:<br />"When chapman billies leave th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbhtFPfuQff94g-FbKTFCgAjXtxz-tCCfIbLKQVbqSFH1uLexB0K-G6UE-qtkYbvoxYadY0vl41TeGwI46m8FwNbpAnRUz7H3WEdm0ktr7DyffnLEZDF7MMb15DwUkrgtWrqzk698YLM/s1600-h/burns+statuegreyfriars.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174230358496676306" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbhtFPfuQff94g-FbKTFCgAjXtxz-tCCfIbLKQVbqSFH1uLexB0K-G6UE-qtkYbvoxYadY0vl41TeGwI46m8FwNbpAnRUz7H3WEdm0ktr7DyffnLEZDF7MMb15DwUkrgtWrqzk698YLM/s320/burns+statuegreyfriars.jpg" border="0" /></a>e street,<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >And droughty neibors, neibors, meet;<br />As market days are wearing late,<br />And folk begin to tak the gate,<br />While we sit bousing at the nappy,<br />An' getting fou and unco happy,<br />We think na on the lang Scots miles,<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >The mosses, waters, slaps and stiles,<br />That lie between us and our hame,<br />Where sits our sulky dame,<br />Gathering her brows like gathering storm<br />Nursing her wrath to keep it warm".</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > <span style="font-family:verdana;">After he gave up Ellisland Burns lived at <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">24 Burns Street, south</st1:address></st1:street> of the High Street and his mausoleum is in St Michael's Churchyard. <st1:placename st="on">Greyfriars</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Church</st1:placetype> overlooks a statue of Robert Burrns sculpted in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 1882. Burns spent the last year of his life here, </span></span><v:imagedata href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R83dTsg8iSI/AAAAAAAAAj8/pBCTPhgLxA8/s200/threavebordersx.jpg" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CELIZAB%7E1.7BD%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_image012.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">dying in <st1:place st="on">Dumfries</st1:place> in 1796.</span><br /></span></v:imagedata></v:imagedata></v:imagedata></div><p style="font-weight: normal;" align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vb_lhGm0fY7i6Zj9w43-jql6K6wsMju79XsdHbYM0wshuvV_z6hLHkj0cXnzN1BRS1oxkxGDPGwNFD3CQaaxNTzg83pk4EjOhwx2KIlWK4qFpoGupOm0rcjyTB7YjH2zavPS0s8kEfs/s1600-h/threavebordersx.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174222580310903202" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vb_lhGm0fY7i6Zj9w43-jql6K6wsMju79XsdHbYM0wshuvV_z6hLHkj0cXnzN1BRS1oxkxGDPGwNFD3CQaaxNTzg83pk4EjOhwx2KIlWK4qFpoGupOm0rcjyTB7YjH2zavPS0s8kEfs/s200/threavebordersx.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Threave house</span> was built in 1872 by William Gordon, </span><span style="font-size:100%;">a <st1:place st="on">Liverpool</st1:place> businessman for use as a summer house by his extensive family. There are 24 hectares of gardens which continue to be developed today through the National Trust for <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> who own the house and gardens and use them for their school of practical gardens. There will be a chance to visit the glasshouses and to visit various gardens within the area.</span></span><br /></p><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><p align="justify"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">24 July</span> Today we will visit <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jedburgh</span> and stop at the beautiful abbey as well as visiting, Mary Queen of Scots Centre. We will also visit Abbotsford House, home of Walter Scott a famous writer and poet and finally Traquair House before completing our trip to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Edinburgh</st1:place></st1:city>. <span>Jedburgh</span> is a border town</p></span><v:imagedata style="font-weight: normal;" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R83iO8g8iTI/AAAAAAAAAkE/cw-eTazSpTs/s200/jedburghabbey.jpg" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CELIZAB%7E1.7BD%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_image013.jpg"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > and was invaded by the English on numerous occasions in the 13th and 14th century most notably by Edward I of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>. It is thought that there was a religious building on the site of the Abbey as early as the 700s and there is a beautifully carved fragment of a shrine from this area on display in the visitor centre. By 1080 the Church was well</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Nj6gGNVpK99heyixXt-OdoBi2nj2zLSGWmE92AeSqt_1nzxCYHnILYW4BrAaes4flSNGIgqczxTMBcPUEvoYC9v_kKZRnEDCHwu-9pTiw_DwKD78vRgH3ztFMz44mDlDSqoeu3VwRy8/s1600-h/jedburghabbey.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174221897411103122" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Nj6gGNVpK99heyixXt-OdoBi2nj2zLSGWmE92AeSqt_1nzxCYHnILYW4BrAaes4flSNGIgqczxTMBcPUEvoYC9v_kKZRnEDCHwu-9pTiw_DwKD78vRgH3ztFMz44mDlDSqoeu3VwRy8/s200/jedburghabbey.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > established and by 1154 it had been elevated to an Abbey and populated with Augustinian monks. Alexander III of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place> married his wife Yolande de Drew here in 1285. Afterwards conflict overtook the abbey and it was used as lodgings for King Edward I of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 1296 on one of his trips north. The Abbey continued to be under attack over the centuries. It is now in the care of Historic Scotland. Throughout much of the last few hundred year Jedburgh has been an important woollen centre, and in the early 1800s it also supported no fewer than 3 breweries. The town today is built largely of the same stone as the ruins of its abbey: probably no coincidence as the domestic parts of the abbey were used as a quarry by the townsfolk after the Reformation.</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span></v:imagedata><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: normal;" align="justify"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"><v:path connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" ext="edit"><v:imagedata href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FpnVHRv6T84/R83pJcg8iUI/AAAAAAAAAkM/YOHlg-n0ofI/s200/walterscott-portrait.jpg" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CELIZAB%7E1.7BD%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_image001.jpg"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sir Walter Scott</span> lived from 15 August 1771 to 21 S</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">e</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">p</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">te</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">m</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">b</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">e</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssOB5G7oZVY3krMoAFmKb5sLr55LAmGU_W5rsj0qAZmrEvOCZewWwHxMRck6wwRG5kIJTnU79-PxYacNKXmDtamz7GCQVP29u7ETqh53EvOwAL7oQjoGQZGGgKlZ6_4j9-F6q_-gpXDk/s1600-h/walterscott-portrait.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174221596763392386" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssOB5G7oZVY3krMoAFmKb5sLr55LAmGU_W5rsj0qAZmrEvOCZewWwHxMRck6wwRG5kIJTnU79-PxYacNKXmDtamz7GCQVP29u7ETqh53EvOwAL7oQjoGQZGGgKlZ6_4j9-F6q_-gpXDk/s200/walterscott-portrait.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">r 1832. He </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">can be thought of as the first international literary superstar. As a poet and as a historical novelist, he was popular throughout the world in his day and, to an extens, his books remain read today. He did much to popularise the image of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> particularly in relation to tartan and landscapes. Scott was born and educated in Edinburgh and practised law there. Due to childhood ill health, he spent time in the borders with his grandparents and acquired a broad knowledge of folklore and ballads. His most famous poem published in 1810 was The Lady in the Lake and his most famous novels were <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Waverley</st1:place></st1:city>, Rob Roy and Ivanhoe. He unearthed the Honours of Scotland: the crown, sceptre and sword of state which had been locked away deep in the bowels of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Edinburgh</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place> forgotten since the Act of Union in 1707. In 1820, he was created a Baronet and in 1822 he organised the visit by King George IV to <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>: the first visit of a reigning monarch to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> since 1650. Scott is buried in the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Traquair House</span> has been occupied for 900 year and has remained almost unchanged for over 300 of those years. Traquir is the</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJXuvdntSuXO1PA4zefJkPGseRD7SYZsoTXFCOtFqp1i7mvktA6d0Shsjr0OK0FEJpMXzNQqI4mgYw4Lr1id_w-8t2adkulBy6o6Ml2ui9vHHyQsENllwzGxmT2Vd2WXv6RyKWROsz6Y/s1600-h/traquair+house.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174218753495042402" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJXuvdntSuXO1PA4zefJkPGseRD7SYZsoTXFCOtFqp1i7mvktA6d0Shsjr0OK0FEJpMXzNQqI4mgYw4Lr1id_w-8t2adkulBy6o6Ml2ui9vHHyQsENllwzGxmT2Vd2WXv6RyKWROsz6Y/s320/traquair+house.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> oldest continuously inhabited house in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. It has stood here since at least 1107 when Alexander I of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> signed a royal charter at Traquair. It was originally a tower house and was used both as a royal palace and a hunting lodge. Both Edward I and II of England stayed at the House during the Wars of Independence. Since 1491 Traquair has remained in the ownership of the same family - the Stewarts. Mary Queen of Scots stayed here with her husband Lord Darnley and their infant son James later tobecome King of both <st1:country-region st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>. In the early 1700 the family were Jacobites and the 5th Earl of Traquair welcomed Prince Charles Edward Stuart to the house during the 1745 Jacobite uprising. After the Prince's departure the Bear Gates at the head of the main drive from the house were closed, the Earl vowing that they would not be reopened until a Stuart king was crowned in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>. The gates remain closed to this day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">25 July</span> This morning we will visit <st1:placename style="font-weight: bold;" st="on">MacDuff</st1:placename><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype style="font-weight: bold;" st="on">Castle</st1:placetype> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNFpLQVJnY8bfnsykJ53yuLVc78z2PW4C7rTtHac4zFNmXUTpgubyqUZF3jJwAzkVfahRwA1xFX8M468vEyb5u8qqtHMuTSOFQJWe0S5DWcsgpysnsmvyYkJ_THJyF4kq4W6mt56Yi4g/s1600-h/P3148253.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174215304636303698" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNFpLQVJnY8bfnsykJ53yuLVc78z2PW4C7rTtHac4zFNmXUTpgubyqUZF3jJwAzkVfahRwA1xFX8M468vEyb5u8qqtHMuTSOFQJWe0S5DWcsgpysnsmvyYkJ_THJyF4kq4W6mt56Yi4g/s320/P3148253.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">on the Fife coast before attending the Gathering at <st1:placename st="on">Holyrood</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Park</st1:placetype> and the Pageant at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Edinburgh</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</span></v:imagedata></o:lock></v:path></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:stroke></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: normal;" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span>MacDuff castle</span> is not in as good state of repair as many of the castles that we have visited on our trip. The tower is the only remaining part of a large building which was first built in the 13/14th centuries. The ruin lies on the cliff-top above the Wemyss caves near <st1:place st="on">East Wemyss</st1:place>. Edward I of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> visited here in 1304, staying with MacDuff's descendant, Michael Wemyss. However, Wemyss later joined forces with Robert the Bruce and Edward ordered the castle to be destroyed. After a trip along the Fife coast it will be time to join the other Clans for the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Highland Gathering</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> in Holyrood Park Edinburgh.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Verdana;" >26 July </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">This morning there will be an opportunity to attend a church service, before spending the remainder of the day at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Highland Games</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">27 July</span> After breakfast end of the tour.</span></p></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10455868953997892834noreply@blogger.com0