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Urquhart Castle
I just (as in 4 hours ago!) returned from Scotland where I’ve spent just over three weeks – sightseeing, researching, gaining inspiration and just enjoying the experience that Scotland is and can be. I visited castles and museums and historic buildings and places and even spent an entire day with an archeologist as my tour guide in Orkney touring Neolithic, Viking and Norse sites. And I met men-in-kilts, along with a bunch of other really nice, outgoing people and got character and story ideas.
But, I would like to offer Scotland a few suggestions about dealing with tourists.
Wildlife Warning!
Sheep Attack!
1) Do not allow wildlife to roam at will! Especially not on single-track roads where there is no place to get away from them when they barrel onto the roads in front of unsuspecting American drivers who are on the wrong side of the road. . . And please train them not to rush onto the road by themselves or in group formations to try to intimidate us! (um….it works!)
Curves Ahead?
2) Don’t bother wasting resources on road signs that warn of curves ahead — I discovered that almost all the roads I drove on are curved, many eligible for any self-respecting road rally. So, to save money and time, simply mark the roads that ARE NOT curved.
Uphill. . .
. . . in both directions!
3) Post warnings with realistic expectations of walking time (and percentage of grade on path) from the car park to the actual castle, ruin, standing stone, etc. It really does take longer than 10 minutes to walk a mile uphill. . . in both directions!
Speaking of uphill. . .
180 Steps up
. . and a million more in another direction!
4) Some enterprising Scot should design a travelers’ aid that will act like those ski tow ropes that pull you up the hills! A small tractor attached to sturdy ropes that tourists can hold onto and be ‘assisted’ up the highly-angled paths would be greatly appreciated!
On the way to Durness
5) but most of all — please, please stop giving tourists views like this that make our hearts both soarfrom the beauty and break from the unfortunate reality that we have to leave and go home. Of course the result of spectacular scenery is that no one can ever leave Scotland without wanting and needing to go back. I know I couldn’t — but please don’t tell my hubby that I am already thinking of the next trip and all the possibilities!
So — what have you all been up to while I’ve been out of the country? Have you ever visited a place that affected you like Scotland affects me? Please leave a comment and I’ll be choosing one person to receive a couple of special souvenirs that I brought home with me and a signed book. . .
Terri B
PS — I will catch up with all prize winners shortly! So please comment!
POSSESSED!
There’s only one day left to help Terri celebrate her Summer of Hot Highlanders (she spotted this one in the Tesco store in Wick, Scotland during her trip) — Mills and Boon has released all three HIGHLANDER stories and Terri’s giving away 10 sets of the trilogy on her website contest – stop by, enter and hopefully win one set! Visit http://www.terribrisbin.com/contest.php today!
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Sep 23rd
2009
6:59 am
Emily McKay Said:
Oh, I loved all the photos!
Still, I long to go back! I miss those crazy single track roads. (we had to change a tire on one!)
The Geek and I went to Scotland on our honeymoon all those many moons ago. I loved it there. We thought about going back for our fifteenth anniversary, but the thought of traveling overseas with a three year old and a eight month old was a bit much.
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Sep 23rd
2009
7:43 am
Frana Said:
Oh, you brought a smile to my gloomy face
That view looks great, I’m so envious of your great trip! I always wanted to see Scotland. The country that impressed me the most was Czech Republic and its capital Prague – you could feel the history just by walking through the town.
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Sep 23rd
2009
7:45 am
RobynDeHart Said:
Oh, there it is! Urquhart Castle. *sigh* Thanks for the picture, I’d love others if you have them.
Sounds like a marvelous trip, Terri, truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And I can’t believe you got an archaeologist as a tour guide.
I never made it up to Scotland, but my trip to England was one that deeply affected me. And you’re so right about the beauty being just achingly beautiful – that’s how I felt about the Lake District, just mesmerizing. I haven’t been back in years and The Professor and I keep talking about planning a trip, but it will have to wait a bit longer.
Thanks for sharing your trip with us – we’ve just been holding the fort down while you were gone.
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Sep 23rd
2009
7:54 am
kristan higgins Said:
Welcome home, Terri! Sounds like an amazing trip.
I think the place that most affected me (thus far, anyway) is Montana. The air was so clean…I watched bald eagles scooping fish from a lake as I drank my coffee…heard the elk calling to each other. I think I may have to move.
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Sep 23rd
2009
8:26 am
Margo Maguire Said:
What a great trip, Terri – but we’re glad you’re back!
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Sep 23rd
2009
8:54 am
Linda Henderson Said:
Well I don’t travel anymore except through my postcards but I used to live in Colorado and it was so beautiful there that I would love to go back for a visit. I have a niece that still lives in Durango.
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Sep 23rd
2009
9:06 am
Terri Brisbin Said:
Frana –
A coworker attended a family wedding in Prague and she still raves about the city. From the photos she brought back, it is the quintessential medieval city…
Kristan and Linda —
The west is stunning! I’ve been to Colorado and Nevada and Arizona and you’re both right — incredible scenery and wildlife…
Keep those comments and locations coming!
Terri (the Jet-lagged!)
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Sep 23rd
2009
9:09 am
Shana Said:
I loved Scotland when I visited, except that it was so cold and rainy. being from Texas, I’m not used to that kind of weather in July. I love your tip about walking uphill in both directions. How do they manage that?
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Sep 23rd
2009
10:59 am
KimmyL Said:
I have never been to Scotland but have always wanted to go. Gald u made it back safely and that u had a good time. Hope u got some new ideas for some books while u were there. (smile)
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Sep 23rd
2009
11:17 am
Jillian Said:
Wow, Terri!
I am SO jealous!!!
I’ve never been to Scotland, but I would LOVE to go!
I’ve been to England, and it’s absolutely WONDERFUL.
I have family there, so at least half of my time is always spent drinking tea with them!
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Sep 23rd
2009
1:22 pm
Rainy Said:
Anyone living in the northeast this summer has been busy building an ark…rain, rain, rain! But fall is proving to be absolutely glorious as the leaves begin to turn.
We were in the Scottish Highlands years ago and mystical is the best description I could use. I had to laugh with your comments on the narrow, curving roads, often dotted with sheep because that’s how it was for us. We stopped at a B & B about 30 feet from the ocean and the hostess scurried us inside, fretting that if she didn’t close the door the sheep would wander in and eat her flowers on the hall stand.
How lucky you were to have three whole weeks there! Is September a good time to travel in Scotland?
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Sep 23rd
2009
1:26 pm
Anita Clenney Said:
I am so jealous…I’m writing a story that is partially set in Scotland but I’ve never been. I would LOVE to go. The pictures are great, and I love your suggestions for tourists!!
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Sep 23rd
2009
1:28 pm
Anita Clenney Said:
I would love to hear more about Scotland in September. That’s when my story takes place.
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Sep 23rd
2009
2:31 pm
catslady Said:
My husband and I traveled the first 15 years of marriage before having kids and so many places made a lasting impression: London, Paris a trip down the Rheine, Belgium, Germany – so much history in Europe. Hawaii, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Ft. Lauderdale – to name some. I would love to visit Scotland and Sicily (all my ancestors came from there). Now our vacations are Cedar Point lol.
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Sep 23rd
2009
3:57 pm
Catherine Kean Said:
Terri, welcome home! I loved your post and recommendations for Scotland. Having visited England, I can totally relate to the narrow (sometimes scary) roads and gazillions of steps up to the historic sites. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. I’m putting Scotland on my “must visit” list.
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Sep 23rd
2009
4:04 pm
Helen Said:
Loved the post Terri and the pictures it is my dream that one day I will get to visit Scotland in the mean time I love hearing about other people trips there.
Have Fun
Helen
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Sep 23rd
2009
4:20 pm
Jody Said:
Welcome back, can’t say home because you probably just left there. Can’t agree more about your suggestions. When you need another Scotland fix there is a great program on Scottish TV which is called Scottland Revealed and unlike the BBC we in the states can view it online at this site. It started last Thursday and the new episodes are posted on Friday. For those who have never been or and those who go often it will make you drool with the scenery.
http://player.stv.tv/programmes/scotland-revealed-hd/
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Sep 23rd
2009
5:20 pm
Emmanuelle Said:
LOve the pictures !! Ever since reading Outlander 5 years ago, I’ve been dreaming about going to Scotland. You’re very lucky !!
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Sep 23rd
2009
5:56 pm
Niveau Said:
It looks so beautiful… I went to Scotland once, but I’m not sure I loved it as much as you did. I was eleven months old at the time, and my memory’s kind of foggy.
The way you feel about Scotland is the way I feel about Mexico. To be specific, the province of Nayarit in Mexico. I love it, love it, love it, and hate the roads! Leaving is the hardest thing in the world, even when I’m missing people at home. I’ve found a way to cope, though – I’m going back again this year!
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Sep 23rd
2009
8:16 pm
Pat Said:
So beautiful, but I must admit, uphill both ways still stymes me. And to think I could have gone on Uncle Sam’s dime back in the 70s, but being el prego with #1, talked my dh into getting his orders changed to be sure my Gram would see her frist great. Yeah, she got to see thirteen of them before she left us. Go figure.
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Sep 24th
2009
1:08 am
Quilt Lady Said:
I am running late but I love the photos. You just don’t know how much I envy you. I have always wanted to go to Scotland, it is one of my dreams.
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Sep 24th
2009
1:09 am
Quilt Lady Said:
I forgot to add the only time I get to go to Scotland is in my book, so I guess that will have to work for now!
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Sep 24th
2009
9:16 am
Melissa Mayhue Said:
First off, welcome home, Terri! Thanks so much for sharing bits of your wonderful trip with everyone! Both the photos and the comments make we want to go back again…right now!! *sigh* Ah well, something to plan for in the next couple of years.
~ Melissa
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Sep 24th
2009
4:29 pm
Jane Said:
Welcome back. Hawaii left me breathless with its beautiful beaches and clear ocean. The scenery is much more stunning than in the postcards.
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