Postcard from Scotland

Rest and Be Thankful
Hi, everyone, today I'm blogging from Scotland. You might consider these electronic postcards. :) We took these photos yesterday and today. These first two are at Rest and Be Thankful, which tells you how people in the past, when they had to walk, felt after climbing this mountain. It is a beautiful mountain pass in Argyll, between Glasgow and Inveraray.
Rest and Be Thankful

This is me on Butterbridge
 My husband noticed this beautiful old bridge and we stopped for some pics. This bridge was built in the 1700s by Redcoats or soldiers. They built the road from Dumbarton to Inveraray, including the part that crosses Rest and Be Thankful, after the 1745 rebellion. Before that, this was an old drove road, where cattle were driven to market every autumn. The name Butterbridge refers to the cattle which were brought here for grazing in summer up into the 1700s and the butter and cheese made from their milk.
Butter Bridge
 As you can see ferns, wildflowers and all sorts of plants are growing between the stones of the bridge.
Inveraray Click on photo to enlarge
 We stopped in Inveraray for an hour to walk around, shop and sight-see. It was a nice warm day with unusually warm temperatures for Scotland, even in July. In fact, they've had three or four weeks of warm temperatures and almost no rain. I think Scotland and NC switched weather this summer.
The Bell Tower, Inveraray

Loch Fyne

Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe
 After leaving Inveraray, we headed on toward Oban where we're staying for six days. I can't pass Kilchurn without taking a photo!
Sheep
 Yesterday evening around eight or nine pm we took a walk along the one track road here. Here's a mama sheep and two lambs. At the moment, it doesn't get dark until around eleven. We also took another walk this evening in the other direction and saw a wee Roe deer.
Loch Nell
 We're staying in a cottage (one of the Clan Cottages) by this beautiful small loch. My husband loves to fish here.
Our "home" away from home
 I love these thatched roof cottages. They're charming but still contain all the modern conveniences.
Oban
 Today we took a walk around Oban to shop and eat. I love this town.
The Lorne, Oban

Dunollie Castle
 Today we also visited Dunollie Castle and House. The house, built in 1745, contains a museum with tons of fascinating artifacts from the MacDougal clan. We also saw a traditional galley (boat) and talked to the man who has sailed it for five years. I learned a lot. Dunollie Castle is a ruin but we were allowed to climb up inside it and look out that top window. It has amazing views of Oban bay.
Dunollie House, built 1745
Hope you enjoyed this glimpse of our trip so far. I certainly have been enjoying everything! :)
Thanks!
Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com
Gwyneth Carswell, an English lady banished by her father to the harsh Scottish Highlands, wants nothing more than to take her young son away from the violence of two fighting clans--her own distant kin, the MacIrwins, and their enemies, the MacGraths. She risks everything to rescue the fierce MacGrath warrior from the battlefield where he’s left for dead by her clan. She only knows she is inexplicably drawn to him and he wants peace as she does. When her clan learns of her betrayal, they seek vengeance. Dare she trust the enemy more than her own family?

Laird Alasdair MacGrath is driven to end two-hundred years of feuding with the MacIrwins. But by taking in and protecting Lady Gwyneth and her son, he provokes more attacks from his mortal enemy. As the danger and conflict surrounding them escalate, Alasdair and Gwyneth discover an explosive passion neither of them expected. With the arrival of a powerful man from her past, a horrible decision confronts her--give up her son or the man she loves.

18 comments:

Susan Macatee said...

Gorgeous photos, Vonda! Been about 25 years since I visited Scotland, but those pics brought back great memories. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous photos, as usual, Vonda. But then, it's hard to take photos that aren't beautiful when photographing Scotland. You've been to some places I've seen -- Loch Fyne was breathtaking. The clear, "whisky-colored water" in the streams is incredible.
Thanks for sharing. Glad you are having such a good time!

Keira Montclair said...

Love these photos, Vonda! Especially love Kilchurn Castle and the thatched roof cottage.
Thanks for sharing!
Keira
www.keiraskeepers.com

Natasha Moore said...

Great pics! What a great cottage to stay in. Have a great time.

Lyn Horner said...

Beautiful photos, Vonda. Can't choose a favorite, I love them all.

Lana Williams said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing them - I tweeted as well!

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

I don't know what to say, Vonda. Your photos always stir up those feelings of home for me. Beautiful. You're in an area where we spent the first days in Scotland. Beautiful. Thank you!!

Vanessa Holland said...

What a fascinating and beautiful place! Your pictures are amazing as always. Thanks for taking time out of your vacation to share these!

Vonda Sinclair said...

Thanks so much, everyone, for your wonderful comments!

Terry Spear said...

Beautiful, Vonda! Want to go back. Your pictures are always so gorgeous. :)

Pat McDermott said...

Wow, looks like you're having great weather so far, Vonda! Isn't it amazing that you can share Scotland with us from over there? My fave? Hard to choose, but I like the bridge. Can't help wondering what went into building it, why, and what the place was like for the people before it was there. Keep the pix coming!

Vonda Sinclair said...

Thanks ladies!! Yes, the weather is wonderful. There was one storm yesterday while we were on Mull on a bus. But the rest of the time it's been sunny and warm. Today has been especially nice.

Randy said...

Beautiful, Vonda. As always. And so informative! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Wow!! Beautiful pics Vonda:) Difficult to choose a favourite. Hmm...perhaps Butterbridge for the interesting history and tranquil setting!

Jennifer

Chicks of Characterization said...

Gorgeous pictures as usual Vonda! Making me wish I was back there!! Can't wait to see more! Enjoy your trip!!

Andrea

Vonda Sinclair said...

Thanks so much, ladies! Glad you liked the pics. The bridge is one of my favs too.

Eliza Knight said...

I love your electronic postcards!!! I feel like I'm there :) You are such an amazing photographer!!! Sounds like you are having a wonderful trip!!! Thanks for sharing :-)

Hugs!
Eliza

Vonda Sinclair said...

Thanks, everyone! Yes, we're having a wonderful trip. We left Oban today and now we're in Ullapool.