Scotland: the Place that Stole my Heart, Part 2

Week two of our spectacular trip to Scotland had just as many laughs and moments of getting out of our comfort zones. My parents and I visited many castles in the Highlands all the way down to Edinburgh. The castles are beautiful and if you pay close attention, you can feel the beautiful building full of life as it was in the day. If you ever get the chance while you're in Scotland, the Highland Games are a MUST! The games peak in July through August, ending in September. If you enjoy the sound of bagpipes, then you are perfect, but if you don't, better get used to them while you're there. Visiting the Loch Ness Monster is another must to do while in Scotland. The Loch Ness Monster is a mythical creature that lives in the deep, freshwater lochs of Scotland. Whether or not you believe in this myth, you may find yourself gradually finding the myth to be real. If you are a shopper then be aware that all stores in Scotland close at 5 P.M. This can be difficult if you are on the road and see some tourist stores. If I haven't explained enough about the majestic views of Scotland, I would like to make it very clear to you now that a drive through Scotland, especially the Highlands, is one thing that shouldn't be missed out on. Now, please sit back and relax as I talk about our second week in Scotland and the adventures that came along with it.

When we left the the Great Glen Water Park my parents and I made our way to the Highland Games in Braemar. The Highland Games in Braemar are towards the end of months when the games are going on. As we drove over to Braemar with our car still packed to the brim, excitement was in the air. I tried to ignore the fact that I still didn't know what was on the other side of the opposite window, but it didn't matter once my Mom told me that Loch Ness was going to be on my side of the car! We stopped at the Urquhart Castle near Loch Ness and all I could remember from this was how I couldn't see the castle! It was blocked by brush and trees. My Mom didn't want to pay to go down to see the ruins because in her day you could see the castle from the top of the hill. This was obviously a lie. When we got to the town Loch Ness, I saw the statue of Nessy and bolted towards it! I honestly couldn't stop thinking about what my friends at the time would've thought. I was standing next to the Loch Ness Monster! Granted this was just a statue, but I knew deep down the real Nessy was somewhere in the lochs.

Urquhart Castle blocked by the trees and brush

One of the Loch Ness Monster Statues

Our small journey to Loch Ness was over and before we knew it we were off once again. We slowly made our way to down to Braemar. We made stops at the side of roads to take in more of the views and snap endless photos. One of our many stops while driving through Scotland was stopping to see a bagpiper on a hill. This was one of the coolest sights I have seen thus far on the trip. My parents kept urging me to stand next to him to get a picture, but I was too shy. I regret not doing it as the following years when we went back he wasn't there.

I realized my love for bagpipes during this performance (This was actually in Great Glen)

This drive couldn't have been long enough! I was too eager to go to the Highland Games where I could see hundreds of bagpipers, men in kilts, and the possibility of seeing the Queen!! Our last stop before finding camp for the night was visiting the Braemar Castle. I thought this castle was much more neat than the Urquhart Castle because this one was in tact. Slowly but surely a love for architecture was coming forth. I would soon find myself falling in love with castles and envisioning my future in one (I still occasionally daydream about living in one).

Braemar Castle

We made it! Highland Games here I come! That very evening while trying to find a place to camp for the next few nights, there was an overflow of people. This is where they started putting people in sheep pastures. I was super thrilled about this, besides the fact that there weren't any restrooms or porterhouses. As we were setting up camp, we starting getting swarmed by tiny black bugs..midges. "Oh no!" we all said. This is going to be a long few days with midges attacking us everywhere we went. Our first night in the pasture was very eventful. Bagpipers started playing their beautiful music starting at dusk. Everyone was starting to party and bar hop. Throughout the night, bagpipes were heard and soon enough I was put into a deep sleep. The next morning people were getting up early to get breakfast and to get an early start to the day at the games.

The Highland Games is an experience that has your mouth dragging on the floor. There are hundreds of pipers, people representing their clans, and men throwing big shit! My Mom and I took a lot of interest in tug-a-war that was going on in front of where we sitting in the stands. Off in the distance there were large men throwing logs (caber toss) and stones (stone put). Anything large and heavy for these men to test their strength was pretty much being thrown at the games. I remember during the entire time we were watching the events, I kept my eyes peeled for Queen Elizabeth. We saw the area across the field where she would be sitting, but no sight of her there. I was starting to get disappointed.

While writing this post, I asked my mom what she remember most about the Highland Games. She told me she felt very emotional when the hundreds of pipers from all sorts of clans started walking onto the field while playing "Scotland the Brave". I wish I remembered this more in depth. Nowadays, if I heard this I would be crying my eyes out!

After we were done watching the events in the stands we decided to walk around a bit before we headed to our humble tent in the pasture. Of course we saw a piper around my age and my parents never being shy when it comes to shoving me next to people, I soon found myself next to the young lad. I was more willing this time than I was with the piper on the hill. The boy was close to my age and was pretty good looking. Soon after this embarrassing moment passed my Mom made her way over to the rotary tent where she indulged in some whiskey. For those who are unaware, my Mom's side of the family are descendants from Clan Macgregor. This means, like many other Scots, we can put whiskey down very well.

On our way back to our tent I was starting to feel very sad. I went the whole day with the possibility of seeing Queen Elizabeth and came back with nothing. I was moping around for about an hour until I heard shouting from my parents. I came out of the tent seeing many cars and motorcycles. Right in the middle was a large, black car. HOLY CRAP! Queen Elizabeth!!! The window was rolled down and the Queen's hat was saying hi to everyone in the sheep pasture. I couldn't see the Queen's face but her hat would suffice. I was freaking out, jumping up and down. I was less than a mile away from the Queen! I was more than happy and ready to move on to our next destination after this event. Highland Games ended with a bang!

Our next stop, Edinburgh! This city is the capital of Scotland. The architecture of Edinburgh is jaw dropping anywhere you walk to. When I asked my Dad what he remembers the most about our trip here he said the history and architecture was very memorable. I also agree with my Dad. I learned more of history from our second trip to Edinburgh, but I remember more of the architecture on this trip. The next day during our stay, my Dad and I decided to explore Edinburgh Castle together. Finally! I got to go inside a castle! I don't remember much about the castle except how large it was.

Later that day we walked around the city, falling more in love as each hour passed. This was my first European city that we visited, so it holds a special place in my heart. While walking around, getting lost in crowds, I spotted a Build-A-Bear Workshop. How exciting! I begged my Mom to let me go in. I grew up obsessed with Build-A-Bear. I collected many outfits, had a closet for those outfits, and of course had many Build-A-Bears. We went in and I noticed it was designed around Scotland and the city. The store had a whole section of Scottish outfits and accessories. I leaped for joy when I found a bagpipe that can strap onto your Build-A-Bear!

You can see the bagpipe I got in the left corner of window on the monkey

This trip to Edinburgh was the first of three so far. In later posts I will explain more about this wonderful city (even touring The University of Edinburgh). Our journey in Scotland has ended on this four month journey, but it isn't the end of Scotland. Scotland stole my heart and when someone, something, or someplace has done that to you, you want more of it.