Scotland in 15 Green

The ladies in period costume 1300s at Edinburgh Castle
It was here that the Scot Robert the Bruce stormed the fortress walls with 30 men,
surprising and overtaking 100s of English-supporters within.

Scotland: rain, wind, Wellingtons, clouds, black-face sheep, brown goats, whiskey distilleries, penny-whistle flutes, bag-pipes, plaid, green, coastline, islands, boats, walks, Abbeys, castles, stones, mystery and lore, pubs, kilts, heather, moor, hedges, flowers, wild fuchsias, fuchsia hedges, butchers, buses, streets named by what occured on the street (Fishmonger), thick dialects, rugby, football, bowling greens, fan clubs, poets, statues, marauders, invaders, and independent Scots who love their drink

Abbotsford, Scotland: hedges you can't fall into

Literary figure Sir Walter Scott's museum is here
Ran into the Russian professor from Moscow who is a Leo Tolstoy expert;
Scott had an influence on Tolstoy.
Site of horse attack - he wanted my daypack and charged



River Tweed
2nd longest river in Scotland
One of top salmon rivers in world
Sea trout and graylings
Tony, for you!

Fascinated by all the ways to use plaid...

Phyllis and I came upon a group of four men in this fishing shed.
I saw the long rods and had to ask questions.
11' fly rods are common.
Clayton, for you!!

Machrie Moor
Isle of Arran
The mystery and spiritual folklore of the Scots
Arran is an island known as the miniature Scotland.
We stayed 8 days and caught the tail end of the hurricane from America
Rain boots and jacket required

In the right place at the right time,
we were feet from a sheep drive.
One incredible dog and shepherd herded them in a 4-wheeler.
The earth shuddered and the sheep bleated.

I got the upper step
In Princes Garden
Edinborough Castle in background

Plaid CARPET on steps in a CHINESE restaurant

Melrose Abbey
One of two Abbey's we visited
Youth hostel was next door
where we were one of the youngest,
and 70 year old women climbed to the upper bunks.
In the common commercial kitchen,
we inadvertantly put our food on the free shelf. 
Lost the good stuff like honey and walnuts!

Robert the Bruce (1274-1329)
King of Scots
Site where his heart is buried.
His body is buried at another Abbey.
The story goes that at his request,
his heart was removed and buried at Melrose Abbey.
Robert the Bruce fought for Scottish independence, opposing England's domination.
Mel Gibson played William Wallace in Braveheart.
Robert the Bruce followed

Bakery in Melrose
Their outfits were out of a storybook.
She's cleaning the window and kept hiding & giggling when we would take her photo.
Melrose was quaint.
A separate shop for the fishmonger, meats, bread and pastries, cheeses/dairy, fruits and vegetables, and regular market items like canned and packaged foods. Plus flowers and chocolate!

Hansel and Gretyl mushroom - Scotland is like a fairy tale - deep green dank mysterious woods - mushrooms taller than my water bottle and a feel that holds a lingering stone age essence 



Boat ride from mainland (Androssan) to Isle of Arran (Brodick)

Northern coast of Isle of Arran, west coast of mainland Scotland
11-mile hike along this coastline