Scotland*

We were in Scotland from August 19-24, 2005. The blue dots represent some of the highlights. Below are some scenes and castles from this trip. I did not add large photos unless you see an * beside the name. If you would like to have a hi res picture, email me and I will send you one.

Scenery

Castles

Castle Campbell - "argably the most magnificent setting of any Scottish castle, at the head of a wooded glen" Damien                                   Noonan

Built in the mid 1400's by Colin Campbell the first Earl of Argyll, who held many important offices of state under King James III, culminating in his appointment as High Chancellor in 1483. Some of the castle was destroyed in 1654 by Cromwell's English troops. Beyond this lovely terraced garden, is a slope where John Knox preached in 1566.

Linlithgow Palace- west of Edinburgh. This fortified palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born in 1542 is quite different than anything else in Scotland. The site was chosen for its defensive qualities: there was a fortifed manor there from the time of King David, and a timber castle was built on the site in 1302 by the English.

Blackness Castle - Near Edinbourgh - The first part of the castle was built in in the mid 1400's by Sir George Crichton, Earl of Caithness a member of one of the most powerful families in Scotland.

Urquhart Castle - On Loch Ness. Built in the early 1500's

                 What did you expect?

Eilean Donan Castle (note- this is my favorite Scottish castle so I took a few :) pictures)

                            Low Tide                                                               High Tide

Blackness Castle