Shaggy pony from the Highlands

Loch Lomond--the Buchannon name is all over the place in this area.

Sir Walter Scott monument in Edinburgh (pronounced Edinburr).

The courtyard--during Medieval times, this space was full of vendors. There are cannons (added under the Stuarts) against the outer walls.

This gold colored section was the original color. From a distant is gleamed golden in the sunlight. This restored section contains the bed chambers and waiting rooms for the king and queen as well as the grand hall. To the right were the kitchens in a separate building.

This is an inner courtyard.

an outside view of Stirling Castle

another view of Stirling Castle

A view of Stirling Castle, a symbol of Scotland's nationalism

the entrance to Stirling Castle, associated with the Bruces and the Stuarts

This is one of the lochs (lakes) located close to the monastery.

This waterfall feeds into the loch. I don't know who the red-headed woman is.

This tower was built as a defense against the Vikings. There was a natural well at the bottom with stores on the next two levels. The upper levels were for the people. There is no staircase. Each level is accessed by a ladder.

This the monastery that dates from the 4th Century. It is a reminder that Christianity came very early to Ireland.

A piper plays outside

The cemetery outside of the monastery

Bagpiper in Inverness

Bagpiper and drummer busking in Inverness.

The interior of a Scottish Presbyterian church in a little village close to Tain.

The exterior is decorated with gargoyles and visited by seagulls.

Who is that old woman brushing that cow? OMG, it's me!

I meet Maggie, one of the highland cattle kept by my host family. Ain't she a beaut?

University of the Highlands on the Isle of Skye--I gave a talk here to Scottish Gaelic faculty.

Scottish Castle in the north

Views from the train headed north

On the train to Inverness--the Atlantic Ocean

Waverly Station, Edinburgh

English and Scottish Gaelic

University of Edinburgh