Our adventures took us through Inverness to Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobites led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart were defeated on April 16, 1746. We explored the visitor center, which shows what happened on both sides of the story of the Jacobites vs. the government. We walked across the battlefield to round off the experience. At Clava Cairns, we head about these amazing stone structures and how they were used all those 4,000 years ago. A wonderful place.
Re-joining the ship, we sailed the Caledonian Canal over lunch to Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness. The structure has been here at least since the sixth century—if not before. The castle standing today dates mostly back to the thirteenth, fourteenth, and sixteenth centuries. It was partially blown up by order of the government so it wouldn’t fall into the hands of the Jacobites.
Guests heard a talk on digital photography, which made many a finger itch to get some lovely shots of Scotland. In Fort Augustus, some guests enjoyed a historical tour of the village. Those who wanted a bit more exercise joined a combined history and nature walk.
After recap and a delicious dinner, we had our toes tapping to superb Scottish accordion and lowland bagpipe music performed by The Nessies. A super day was had by all!
