Glencoe and Glasgow
On Thursday, we bade farewell to Marie and the Duisdale. It being a more typical Scottish day with driving rain and wind, we were forced to drive back across the bridge rather than take the ferry as planned. Unfortunately, we missed the opportunity to view Glenfinnan where the 
Bonnie Prince had landed in 1745. Alec informed us that the weather would have obscured the magnificent view in any case. So we proceeded south along Loch Oich and Loch Lochy past Fort William and the highest mountain in Scotland, Ben Nevis at 3000+ feet. Turning east, we traversed the pass of Glencoe. It was at this location in 1692 that the incident that became known as "The Rape of Glencoe" occurred. King William, of William and Mary fame, had ordered that all of the Clans should come to Fort William and sign a document of allegiance. The laird of Glen Coe, a MacDonald, did not wish to do so and, using a snowstorm as an excuse, did not do so by the prescribed time. In retaliation, King William, who had been looking of an example to make in the Highlands, Pass
sent a contingent of Campbells to Glencoe Castle proscribing "...leave none alive named MacDonald". The MacDonalds took them in offering them "...meat and dry
shoes for their feet". After a week of partying, the Campbells awakened early one morning and slaughtered the MacDonalds even as they slept. To this day, bad blood exists between the families.
We proceeded through the desolate Rannoch Moor and along the "...bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond" to Glasgow, Scotland's most populous city.
End of the Castle Trail
On Friday we started our day with a trip to Stirling Castle. Stirling is built on a high volcanic rock making it almost invincible with a magnificent view in every direction. It has been the home of kings as well as the point of their ire. It is by far the most beautiful castle we visited.
Nearby is Stirling Bridge. If you watched "Braveheart", you may remember that his first victory came at Stirling. Though 
the movie erroneously portrayed the battle as a headlong charge of both sides, in reality, the Scots took up position on one side of the bridge and cut the English down as they crossed. (Not very bright on the part of the English.)
From the bridge we journeyed to the William Wallace monument. Unfortunately, the climb to the monument was too lengthy and we settled for pictures of the statue of Mel Gibson as Wallace.
Our final castle was Doune Castle, a ruin that lay just outside of Stirling. This castle was used in the making of the Monte Python “The Holy Grail”. Even in ruin it is a truly magnificent structure.
This brings me to last night. I foreswore the usual pint after dinner for an early bed, if you call 10:30 early. Today I have been invited by Alec to accompany him to a football game (that would be soccer for you colonials). This is certainly a signal honor. However,
if I don't end this epistle and go in search of new attire, I will have to attend in yesterday's shirt which I now have on. I had planned my clothing allotment to allow for some purchases which, for some reason, have not yet happened.
Tomorrow I take leave of this land I have come to love. I vow to return to this place of mystery and majesty.
Gordie
