Freedom! Part 1

What a whirl wind Scotland tour we had! Jammed packed full of events, both good and not so good, (like  learning to drive all over again on foreign roundabouts), but a wonderful memory to say the least.
























We arrived in Glasgow on June 4th and after an arduously long flight scurried to get our rental care and make it to our first stop, Glasgow Cathedral. Unfortunately we had a little trouble finding our lodging and with lack of sleep and a 10 hr time change I found myself less than patient with our failed GPS system. Thankfully, though, we did end up finding both and the day, sleep deprived and all, was a joy.

This is Glasgow Cathedral, the parish church for Glasgow and it a rare example of an almost complete original 13th century church. It is also built over the supposed tomb of St. Kentigern (you may have to
google him if he is not familiar to you).

On Tuesday, June 5th we made a stop at St. Mungo's Museum of Religious Life, which had a unique focus on things spiritually dedicated to religious art, world religions, and religion in Scottish history. I still believe that this topped Ian's favorite things and we had to practically drag him out the door for our next excursion, Loch Lomond. Tuss, a quaint village in Loch Lomond (what we Americans would consider a lake) is home to Nessy, the Lochness monster.

My little monk by his almost wardrobe

And Luss did not disappoint! I believe that this was one of Blake's favorite locations with all its beauty and tranquility. After Luss we skirted along the Loch coast to our first castle, Inverarary Castle.

Luss

Luss Parish Church

Inverarary Castle is a Gothic palace that has been the home to the powerful Campbell Clan, the Duke of Argyll since 1701.  And, the current Duke still uses this for summer holiday ( American translation: vacation).

Inverarary Castle

After we finished there was took a ferry boat, car and all, to the Isle of Mull. While staying at this bed and breakfast for two nights, my dad developed a new taste for "bread pudding".  At first we didn't tell him exactly what this Scottish treat was made of, but the Owner, Alex happily filled him in.

If you ask him, I think he will tell you that it actually wasn't all that bad and you really wouldn't believe that it was made from sheep blood!

A true Scottish breakfast with Blood Pudding

The Duart Castle 

An old church ruin dated from AD 800. 

Old castle ruins on the Isle of Mull

From the Isle of Mull, we took a short foot ferry to the Isle of Iona. This has been a place of pilgrimage since St. Columba came from Ireland in 563 AD to found a monastery and convert Scotland to Christianity. Many early Scottish Kings and Chiefs were buried here, including Macbeth. All of us enjoyed this island and the free time for reflection and contemplation.

Iona Chapel

The Craignure Inn on the Isle of Mull

I will stop here for now (trying to not overwhelm you with history and vacation pictures) and work on parts 2 and 3...Come back in a few days for the Scotland continuation tour, it won't disappoint! 

- Sarah