St. Andrews

 

The last weekend of my mid-semester break was dedicated to following a family friend around on her busy live. Marion’s a dear soul, and has been very helpful in my transition into Scotland. But when I was going to her house for the weekend, I thought it would be a relaxing time to catch up on some assigned reading. Instead I was running from event to event.

 

Because Marion had to work on Friday (as many people do), she suggested I catch a bus to St. Andrews and spend the day there. It made me nervous catch a bus to a strange town in which I had never been, and actually find my way around. But I successfully managed to catch the right bus and arrive in St. Andrews.

 

With half the battle down, I needed to actually find the ruined cathedral. I followed the flow of traffic till I found the tourist information center, where I procured a map. After looking at it I found I was already headed in the correct direction.

 

My first views of the ruins were more stunning than I could ever imagine. The wind blowing from the coast and the smattering of rain against the cold grey stone created a charged atmosphere which was very effecting. I took 200 pictures of the cathedral alone trying to capture its fallen beauty. Hopefully the pictures will aid my description.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dunnottar Castle

 

The start of my mid-semester break began with going to a friend’s house for the weekend. Jonas lives in Banchory, which a small town close to Aberdeen. One of the must see sights for the weekend was Dunnottar Castle. This Castle is located on the coast with breath-taking views.

 

The wind and rain gave me an authentic experience. It only made it more dramatic with the crashing of the waves up against the island on which the castle stands. It was amazing to walk around on the little island. It basically had its own little village on the island, including its own chapel. The castle actually held Christians hostage in a volt at one point in history.

 

 

I loved walking in the ruined buildings and imaging scenes that must have taken place in the buildings when they were in their full splendour. For as gorgeous as they must have been, the castle must have been very drafty with the wind blowing off the sea. But the views make it worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isle of Skye Day 3

  

Day three was travelling back to homeward, but not without a few more stops. The first of these being the most photographed castle in Scotland: Eleen Donan Castle. I believe the most recent movie to be filmed there was ‘Made of Honor.’ They have a shot of them going over the bridge to the castle. 

 

 

The next stop was Glen Coe. Glen Coe is the Valley where there was a massacre of almost an entire clan ordered by the British. It is beauty and serene. It is a dreadful though to think of how many lost their lives where I was standing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final stop was the Wallace Monument. This is located in the town I live in (Stirling). After walking up the hill to get to the monument, the whole landscape of the area is laid out before you. This is when you can understand that when you had control of Stirling, you controlled it all.

 

 

 

 

 

The Wallace Monument which I see walking to class everyday

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isle of Skye Day 2

Day 2 was another early morning. Most of us were still wiping the sleep from our eyes at our first stop, but that’s where the tiredness ended. Our first stop was Faery river. Apparently those who put their face into the river will have eternal beauty. I guess I will have to live with my fading beauty, because it was far too cold to put my face in the river. 

Next we went on a ‘gentle’ hike. I would hate to see what a strenuous hike would be because as we got closer to the top the wind was so strong we almost had the crawl up. I didn’t dare stand up once we did reach the top for fear of being blown off the hill. But the sights were immense at the top with the rolling hills to the right and the sea to the left.

After getting caught in a light rain on the way down from the hill, we made our way to the last stop of the day: Kilt Rock. It is a cliff side that much resembles a kilt. It is a very dramatic sight the see the cliff with the sea stretching on for what seems like an eternity.

And so day 2 ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isle of Skye Day 1

The day started earlier at 5:15 so that we could get to the train station with enough time to buy tickets to get to Edinburgh (which is where we were to get on the bus tour). We made it to the train station without any gliches. We got on the bus at 8:45am and the tour began. 

The main events stops for the first day were British army barrack ruins and Loch Ness. 
At the barrack ruins our tour guide showed us how to fold the plaid of a kilt, and the different ways a kilt could be worn. Apparently they are multi-functional as pockets and back packs. The desolate looking ruins only echoed what it must have seen in the past while the British were trying to keep the Scottish under control.

The next stop was Loch Ness. I'm afraid we didn't have any Nessy sightings, but the wind stirrng up the waves was very dramatic. Loch Ness is actually one of the most travelled to spots in the world - Pretty interesting huh?
  Ruined Army Barracks

We made it to our destination in on the Isle of Skye by about 8pm. We were all tuckered out from the early wake up, so those that were wise went to bed early. There were a few that stayed out in the local pub to the wee hours of the morning, I don't know how they did it. I was out like a light once my head hit the pillow.

Loch Ness  

 

 

 

< Kilt Demonstration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hill Walking (AKA Hiking)

There is an impressive bit of hill behind the Stirling university campus, and a few days ago Jonas and I ventured up to. Trying to keep up with Jonas’ long strides made the hike tiring, but it was worth it to see the view. Surveying the world from above is a peaceful activity. We actual met with another international student from Mexico who was enjoying the calm as well.

  

We didn’t make it to the peak, partly because I was tired partly because some rainclouds decided to demonstrate the unpredictability of Scottish weather. As can be scene from pictures early in the day it was sunny and warm, but when we got back to campus we were both soaked through. I hope you enjoy the dramatic landscape as much as I did.

  

 

 

 

Edinburgh

Traveling around in Scotland is relatively easy. Around town there are buses that run regularly, and then there are buses that run to Edinburgh and Glasgow several times a day as well. It was one of these buses that some other international students and I took to Edinburgh for the day. 

Even though we left early in the morning, it was hard not to keep my eyes open on the journey there. It is as if I am on sensory overload. Although much of the scenery is similar in the way of farming, it is completely new in this context, like divisions of fields/property being made by ancient, well-worn, walls.

After observing much of the countryside on the hour or so drive, we arrived in Edinburgh. Immediately all of us can recognize the splendor of the city as we drive past the castle situated on a rocky face above the city.

 








^William Wallace
< Edinburgh Castle 

Our main goal was to explore the castle and the royal mile. After walking around in a very beautiful park we finally found the right way to the castle, and oh my gosh was it a climb! I am hoping to be in good shape when I come back after all the up-hill walking. It’s hard to describe the sights of and from the castle. I feel as though I can’t accurately retell how utterly immense the grandeur is, which is why I shall end here and let my pictures try to show it’s wonder.