The Markeroni Blog
The blog of Markeroni, the Gentle Art of Landmark-Snarfing

Thirteen Things #3 13 Snarfs in Scotland

All the links open in a new window and load on top of one another, so you can keep two windows open and see them one at a time.

1. Ullapool War Memorial
   A very unusual war memorial, in the guise of a clock. The east coast town of Ullapool is so remote that this memorial is not just for Ullapool, but for the entire valley. The names are written on the base. Next time I’m there I must remember to get a better photograph.

2. Beauly Boer War Memorial
   Here’s something you just never see in the USA. The Boer War was fought in South Africa from 1899 to 1902…primarily over gold. Actually, this is the first Boer War memorial that I ever recall seeing.

3. Cawdor Castle
   No kidding. It’s that Cawdor Castle. Of course, the Macbeth story was sheer propoganda designed to make a writer’s king happy. Macbeth was a perfectly capable, non-murderous king. Cawdor Castle is pretty, and has giant thistles in the garden. It also has the distinction of being the only castle where I have read all the interpretive panels while going through. They were funny.

4. Duntulm Castle
   On the Isle of Skye. It’s slowly vanishing into the sea, I think. I’m sad because when I first went here, one could actually go right in. The second time, it was blusteringly windy and we were the only visitors. Signs warned that it was dangerous, but you still could go right in. Now, you cannot.

5. Aviemore Ring Cairn and Stone Circle
   Nestled slap-bang in the middle of a housing estate, this ancient monument still contrives to keep a stillness about it. It’s like stepping in time. The tree is a rowan, and was bristling with red berries when I was there.

6. Hugh Miller Cottage and House
   Hugh Miller was a famous writer and geologist born in Cromarty, which happens to be one of my favorite places in Scotland. The cottage where he was born is teeny-tiny and as cute as pie.

7. Urquhart Castle
   Urquhart Castle is well-preserved and perched precariously on the shores of Loch Ness, very grand for monster-spotting. The visitor center is awesome and has a flair for drama–you’ll see. My parents have taken disabled friends there; they offer golf carts and flat paths if you can’t walk too well.

8. Dun Troddan
   A bronze age broch. These structures were living places and strongholds for people in the bronze age, and three of them can be found by going down the narrow road of Glenelg.

9. Beauly Priory
   Isn’t this gorgeous? Beauly derives its name from the French “beau lieu,” which is apparently what Queen Elizabeth the I remarked when she came here. It was built in the 13th Century. The rose-colored stone is typical of this area.

10. The Cleopatra Sails
    Written by Hugh Miller, this historical marker/prose talks of those who emigrated during the clearances, and how they went with mixed feelings–hope for a better life, and pain at leaving behind and being left behind.

11. The Eagle Stone
    Carved with the symbols of an eagle and a horseshoe, this 6th century Pictish stone may have been a meeting place. It is steeped in legend.

12. Kilvaxter Souterrain and Homestead
    On the Isle of Skye, this was an unexpected and exciting find. It had only recently been excavated. Souterrains were long, winding, very low tunnels used for storage. A flashlight had been left out for exploring. I got creeped out when I lost sight of the doorway, and walk-squatting didn’t do much for me either. But I felt like a Real Live Historian while crawling along in these ancient tunnels.

13. Deep Freeze Mountains
    Part of the Knockan Crag trail, Knockan being where some people finally figured out how geology “worked,” this shows a wonderful view with a picture in front showing how much used to be under ice.
    

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

1. Amy’s Random Thoughts
   
2. Momma Writes About Books
   
3. Buck Naked Politics

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