Inverness

Early on Sunday morning Dan took a walk along the river and took this shot of the castle.

We have been watching the news about Hurricane Ophelia coming through Ireland and Scotland and have decided to stay in Inverness two more days. Our plan had been to go to Skye, but all indications are that it would not be a pleasant trip.

We toured the battle site at Culloden on Sunday. It was the location of the defeat of the rebellious Highlanders, who wanted to restore Prince Charles (Bonnie Prince Charlie) to the throne of Scotland and England. After a victory against the British in a guerrilla battle, the Scots, a rag-tag exhausted troop, faced the overwhelming power of the British Army on this open plain. It was a disaster, perhaps 1000 of the 1500 Scots being killed. (Thanks to reading Outlander, I was quite up to date on my Jacobite history!) The visitors centre had an excellent historical display. There wasn't a film as such, but there was a room with projection on all four walls. It showed the advance of the armies and the killing. I could only be in there a few moments. There was also a man in costume who showed us the various weapons used and even let us hold a musket and a sword.

The battlefield

This old cottage is on the field. The gable is made of stacked blocks of turf.

There were a number of these clan markers around the area. There were flowers on most of them. (I didn't see Fraser or MacKenzie, although those names were on the rolls of the dead.)

This cairn is in memory of those who died.

Later in the day we headed out for a walk through the town. Right outside our hotel I saw this heron right on the water's edge. He kindly held still for a photo.

A view across the river.

The weather has turned from sunny to rainy today. We will be moving to a different hotel, as this one is full. We are sorry to go; this has been one of the best hotel rooms we've had yet. There is a laundrette near our new hotel and that job is coming up tomorrow.