Scotland: The Black Isle

This morning we got started late and spent the day on the Black Isle, just north of Inverness. We stopped at the ruins of Fortrose Cathedral, dating back to the 12th century. Next, we went to the Pictish Museum in Rosemarkie. It had impressive carvings by the Pictish people as well as a standing cross that was excavated from the 12th century cathedral remains nearby. There was a celtic harp visitors were invited to play and simple sheet music was provided. I tried it out and played part of one of the songs. I must confess that I’ve always wanted to learn and now I’m compelled even more. Next, we went on a short walk through the Fairy Glen, a deeply-green glade that follows a small stream and ends at two delicate waterfalls.

 Fortrose Cathedral ruins

 A fairy sighting in the Fairy Glen!

 The stream and Hans admiring the canopy

 The falls and a mischievous-looking Pan

On the way back we wandered to the beach and spent the next hour collecting shells, small sandstone stones worn into almost perfect circles, and speckled sea glass. Before we left I built a sandcastle and we saw an information sign with details about the local sea life and we learned of the Backstroke Haggis:

“The only herd of swimming haggis north of the river Tay usually swims on its back in circles due to one larger webbed foot. This is a hairy wee beastie which has been seen floundered on the rocks in high winds when there is a full moon, can grow up to 5kg in weight. Breeding season all year round like Scotsmen but mainly birthdays or when they get the chance. Only live to January 25th each year! The best chance of spotting one is at the butchers on high street! Good luck.”

As we left town we stopped to take a few pictures of the harbor and then proceeded to the Black Isle Brewery, a small operation based out of a farmhouse. They grow their own barley and can produce 3000 bottles per day. We were given a free tour of the operation and sampled their product. The Red Kilt and Scotch ales were my favorite. We purchased an 8-pack and a glass. As it was almost 4 pm, we drove back to Inverness and had two of the beers along with some of the leftover cheese from previous meals, a dried cranberry Wensleydale and an onion chive cheddar. We also sampled the Orkney Islands cheddar we bought last night. After our small picnic Hans wandered back into town to do some shopping while I did some photo managing. Tomorrow will be an early morning drive followed by an overnight stay in the seaside town of Oban.

The harbor on the choppy Morray Firth