BATTLE OF COLLODEN and the JACOBITES

Day 116

Inverness

Battle of Colloden and the Jacobites.

We went to the spot where the battle took place today.

From what the Scots say, this is the place that inspired many Scotts to come to Aussie!!! So there you go.....

We think it's also because many British had free passage to Australia after the war (www2) but that's another story.

The Battle of Colloden was just outside Inverness.

It was the battle with the British Troops, (protestant) headed by the Duke of Cumberland against the clans, the jacobites (catholics) and anti protestant, led by Bonny Prince Charlie in 1746.

Seemed eerie really as so many clans got involved and died there.

And the reason why they lost is because they were fighting on flat ground, by mistake because Bonny prince charlie didn't have any war experience and the scots were used to winning using their highland downhill charge which avoided cannon and rifle fire.

Everyone was killed, wives, kids, everyone. By the British. (English)

And so there....a deep hatred of the English began! And still exists...somewhat more jovially and less brutally of course, but it's there!!!

That was our exciting event of the day i tell ya...and it was so 'important' that the two tour guides actually accosted some of us that were trying to escape going on the battlefields and getting out of the bitter cold so we could hear the STORY!!!!!

I was busting to go to the loo....but of course, i had to hear about 'how this event changed history'!!!!!!!!

We recovered from all this to see some cairns thousands of years old. They look a bit like the stones of Stonehenge...and we also..........

CAUGHT NESSIE!!!!!!

As we were leaving our hostel, we drove alongside the 23 miles of Loch Ness and we stopped at it's widest point that was about a mile wide. And we did the HAKU (which the scots say they invented..not the new Zealanders....um...right...)

This was to summons nessie..and was HILARIOUS!!!!! We literally danced like idiots and yelled to the Loch Ness monster to come out.

Apparently Nessie really does come out at times..and although few cyinics (including Greg) believe it's a tourist pull....it was actually first recorded by a doctor who went to his grave swearing that it was a true sighting in 1920. And before that in the 6th Century!! (By a monk!) So...it's to be true lassie....

It was a great 3 days that's for sure. I certainly recommend it to anyone that wants a bit of excitement...there is so much i just can't even remember now to tell about it all..but it was great!

But, most of all..what i really loved about this tour was it was energetic and the guys, Russell and Tom were passionate and animated when they told the stories that they believed to be 'true'..i'm not sure they were tho!!!!

Read Robbie Burns biography as i was desperate to learn more about him and found a book published by the Scottish Histories Collection. Some of his poems are so RAUNCHY and erotic. What was Grandma C reading???? His life story was fascinating i've got to say. I'm glad i had a book that interpreted his poems and letters tho..i wouldn't have understood a word otherwise!!!!

Talking of books..I also exchanged The Island about the leper colony on Spinolonga, off Crete (Hislop) for a new book too! Called Geographers Library by Jon Fasman (Hostels are great for book exchanges!

We also listened to some brillant music while we were on the bus, having travelled a fair distance up to the isle of skye. Probably did about 200 km's a day. They even played Monty Python's Life of Brian and Meaning of life.

Which reminded me what the meaning of life is.

To enjoy! And although it's ok to be contemplative..it's also ok to just HAVE FUN! And to 'do' this holiday because, as Susan says, 'we can'..and because there's a time for everything and everyone. It was so good to be reminded of this....

Once again..it was time to say goodbye to our fellow travellers and get back to our accomodation..

Ireland tomorrow...

Can't wait!

Hope everyone's well....we're glad to be back 'home' (in Edinburgh)...and glad to be able to say hi to you guys again!!!

PS Thanks for the messages from you girls who made me jealous seeing Human Nature!! Awww.......Big hugs to you caza and suziewoozie!! Also great to hear from you Susan....and your brilliant new job!! I can just see you doing that, it would suit you right down to the ground!! Helena..enjoy Bali! Sun! I wish i could have some of that!!!! See you when you get back!! (I'll miss your emails!!!!)

Hugs to you all xxxx And especially to you mummy bummy :-) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx