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As some of you know, I’m over in Scotland on a three-week tour. I’ve been dreaming and planning and wishing for this trip for a long time — I’m doing this by myself! I rented a car and have already driven all over SW Scotland and on several islands (Mull, Skye, Harris/Lewis) as well as a good portion of the western Highlands (Glasgow up to Oban, through Ft. William out through Lochalsh). One of the best things about this trip is that I’m taking advantage of several different festivals and special events happening as part of Homecoming Scotland.
The Blas Festival (Blas means ‘a taste’ or ‘a bit’ or ‘to savor’ in Gaelic) features lots and lots of music — and so far, I’ve attended 3 events:
Eilean Donan Castle
At Eilean Donan Castle, one of my sigh….favorite ever places, I heard the history and music of the Clan MacRae of Kintail. And it was all in Gaelic! The narrator as well as all the musicians and singers and most of the audience spoke fluent Gaelic and it was a strange, surreal experience to be one of few there who didn’t! But, it was so cool to be immersed in it..
Dunvegan Castle
The next night I attended another clan event — this time it was the Clan MacLeod. Am I the only one who can hear Adrian Paul’s voice as soon as I hear the name MacLeod? The evening featured the same performers but this time it was made even more special because the piper was a MacCrimmon — and they were the heriditary pipers for the MacLeods.
Here is Calum playing the bagpipes — which should not be played in enclosed spaces or smallish chambers!! Earsplitting but oh, so impressive:
Calum MacCrimmon
The last music event I attended was last night in Portree – Blair Douglas, a well-known Skye musician and composer, presented his Gaelic Mass featuring local choirs and musicians at a Catholic church in Portree. Again, all in Gaelic, with a Gaelic-speaking audience, and featuring various parts of a Mass, performed with fiddle, violins, bass, clarsach and pipes. It was stunning, both visually and acoustically. Here’s a photo of the opening of it:
St. Mary's Church, Portree, Skye
If I had not been trying to act discreetly, I would have snapped a bunch of photos of the men….in kilts…. in the choir. One in particular looked as though he’d walked out of a historical romance! But, I was behaving — it WAS a church after all!
Now — about the magic. . .
Sometimes, on my trips here and to England, strange things happen to me. In the Tower of London, in one of the medieval rooms, I knew that there should have been a door instead of a wall. The plans in the next room showed it. In Glamis Castle, I could feel a terribly cold draft coming from one place in a wall in a medieval chamber. Turns out that three men were walled up in a chamber to die behind that wall.
This time?
Sitting in Eilean Donan Castle as the narrator spoke of the tall, brawny, black-haired, bearded MacRae warriors, she mentioned that they were known for their ferocity and strength….and she whimsically wondered if maybe one was listening to her story…. Just after she mentioned the name of one of the founders of the clan, someone put their hand on my shoulder and I turned to see what they wanted. . . Yeppers, no one was there! No one.
And the latest bit of magic? I stopped at a viewpoint for Kilt Rock and suddenly the sun came out and this appeared right in front of us:
I can’t wait to see what other magic and music await me on my tour…..
So, is there some special place you’d like to visit in the world? What makes it special to you? Please post it and I’ll send out some special Scottish souvenirs to one lucky commenter!
Terri B – reporting from Scotland!
PS — yes, I am terribly behind in sending out prizes, but I promise they will get there!
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Sep 9th
2009
6:30 am
Emmanuelle Said:
Wow, what a trip !! I’ve been willing to visit scotlandself my eversince reading the Outlander series 5 or 6 years ago, maybe one day ??
The place I’d love to see the most is Wyoming. Cattle ranches, cowboys, huge wide spaces… sigh…in the meantime there is always cowboys romances and the travel channels
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Sep 9th
2009
7:09 am
Booklover1335 Said:
oooh I would love to visit Scotland. Like Emmanuelle ever since I read the Outlander series Scotland has been my dream vacation. And now thanks to all of your pictures and comments I am even more commented to make it there some day. Hope you are enjoying it and please share more pics!
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Sep 9th
2009
8:07 am
kristan higgins Said:
Oh, Terri, it sounds incredible! I too want to go to Scotland (preferably as Gerard Butler’s bride)…
Have some haggis for me!
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Sep 9th
2009
8:24 am
anne Said:
I am captivated with Italy. The beauty, charming villages, delectable culinary delights, and history everywhere.
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Sep 9th
2009
8:26 am
Rainy Said:
After reading “Under the Tuscan Sun” and seeing the movie, I wanted to visit the Italian countryside and taste the exquisite food and marvel at…well, everything!
One question you can clear up for me…….I know there was a movement in Ireland to have school children learn Gaelic, which I thought was something only spoken in Ireland. Apparently, it is in Scotland also. Is there any difference?
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Sep 9th
2009
8:43 am
Margo Maguire Said:
Oh yeah – Scotland. I could go there any time. Scottish people are the friendliest anywhere! And the landscapes and castles. [sigh] I wish I’d come along with you, Terri!
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Sep 9th
2009
9:39 am
Crystal B. Said:
I have always wanted to go to Australia and see all wildlife, the beaches, and all the great sites.
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Sep 9th
2009
9:57 am
Shana Said:
After reading your post, I want to go back to Scotland! I was there about 10 years ago, and it was so romantic. It really evokes a feeling of history. It was also cold and rainy, and this was in July. Somehow, though, seeing a castle in 90-degree heat with the sun shining down just isn’t as romantic.
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Sep 9th
2009
10:17 am
Linda Henderson Said:
Well I’ve always wanted to see Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. My mother buys a lot of traveling DVD’s and I will borrow the ones that have Ireland in them. I don’t think she has ever found any for Australia and New Zealand. I collect postcards, lighthouse ones in particular and I purchased some of Irish lighthouses. They are magnificent. The scenery is so rugged and beautiful. I don’t know how many lighthouses are in Scotland but maybe you will see some while you are there.
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Sep 9th
2009
11:41 am
Jillian Said:
Scotland looks absolutely magical! I would love to go there too! I think the accents are incredibly sexy.
I would also love to go to Brazil…I can’t quite get images of dangerous expeditions across rushing rapids, through wild rainforests, and swinging on vines with Tarzan out of my mind I suppose…
I hope your trip continues to be magical, Terri!
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Sep 9th
2009
12:05 pm
Kimmy L Said:
I’d love to visit Edinburgh. All the castles, scenery and shopping.
All the colourful history and culture.
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Sep 9th
2009
1:09 pm
RobynDeHart Said:
I’m so jealous! My next book is set in Scotland and I’ve never been. My trip to England we got as far north as the Lake District – saw some Highland cattle, but that was it. Your trip does indeed sound magical and if you found yourself in Inverness please take some shots of Castle Urquhart for me.
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Sep 9th
2009
1:18 pm
Mary M Said:
As a special treat, I’d love to go to the book festival at Hay-on-Wye one year. And your itinerary sounds so enticing, I want to go to Scotland too! Congratulations on your grand adventure!
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Sep 9th
2009
4:40 pm
Terri Brisbin Said:
Rainy –
Gaelic actually has several different branches and Irish and Scottish Gaelic are different. And in the islands (Skye, Harris, Lewis, etc) children are taught Gaelic — I read that 90% of the population of Lewis is fluent in Gaelic. So, there is a big push to keep it alive and that is one thing that the Blas Festival is trying to publicize and promote — the growth and use of the Gaelic language and culture.
It did feel strange being in a country that is English-speaking and not understanding a word that was said or sung! And in Stornoway on Lewis, everyone in the little local cafe where I stopped for breakfast chatted in Gaelic, sometimes sliding into English for a word or two and then back!
Terri B
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Sep 9th
2009
6:14 pm
catslady Said:
As with a lot of the others, I would love to visit Scottland but if I had to pick one place it would have to be Sicily. All my grandparents came from there and I’ve heard so many stories. They came from large families and I’ve never met most of them. They lived in a small town right out side of Palermo – although I’m sure things have changed immensely. (and a side trip to Italy would be fantastic).
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Sep 9th
2009
10:29 pm
Quilt Lady Said:
Oh the Highlands of Scotland is a place that I have always dreamed of visiting. I would give anything to be able to go their.
You lucky girl!
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Sep 10th
2009
2:54 am
Jane Said:
Scotland is beautiful. I would love to visit Egypt and see all the archaeological sites and take a cruise on the Nile.
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Sep 10th
2009
7:06 pm
Kerrelyn Sparks Said:
Oh my gosh, Terri, I am so envious! Your trip sounds fantastic!! It’s been way too many years since I’ve been to England and Scotland. I, too, had some odd experiences, knowing things I shouldn’t have, etc. I can believe that you lived in Scotland in a past life, but what on earth were you doing in the Tower of London, girl? I hope you weren’t a prisoner!!
Hugs! Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Kerrelyn
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Sep 13th
2009
5:12 pm
Linda Said:
Your trip sounds fantastic
I can just imagine being immersed in all that history & beauty. Ireland is my dream vacation spot. That’s where my ancestors are from & I have (according to my mom) always had a love of all things Irish.
Enjoy your trip!
Linda
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Sep 13th
2009
8:30 pm
Catherine Kean Said:
Your trip sounds incredible! I love your photos and the neat details of your sight-seeing. Were you freaked out when you felt the hand on your shoulder and no one was there? Brr. I get chills thinking about it. Can’t wait to read more.
Best wishes,
Catherine
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