Saturday, June 2, 2001

Our last morning in Edinburgh we separated into two groups: Yvette, Yvonne and Danny went one way, and Lari and Val went another (mainly so that the rest would not kill Val). Lari and Val went to see Holyrood Palace, ancient home of Mary, Queen of Scots. Danny, Yvette and Yvonne decided to walk the Royal Mile again, uphill this time, stopping at little gardens hidden in between buildings, at a pub for a pint, and for some cultural exchange experience, at Burger King, where it was quickly decided that, while most everything had a comparable taste, the fries were much better, as was the selection. Just after noon, we all met up at the train station to board our train to Culrain.

The train ride north from Edinburgh was as scenic a ride as they come; cutting cross-country until reaching Inverness, it then hugged the jagged Scottish coast all the way north into the highlands. It was interesting seeing huge oil rigs off the Scottish coast; we had no idea oil was pumped in this area.

A few hours later we reached Culrain, a "town" (if we can truly call it that) comprised of one street, one phone booth, five houses and one pub (closed for renovations, just our luck). The train stop was a little roofed shed--that's it. But boy, was it beautiful. Immediately the smell of clean highland air assaulted us, and we knew we had picked the right place for a mini-vacation. Up the hill, about a mile away, loomed the tower of Carbisdale Castle, our hostel and home for the next couple of days. There was little to do but start walking.

Yvette looks back as she, Lari & Yvonne (way in front) hike into Carbisdale 
Castle, our home for the next 2 days (our room was in the tower).
Day 5: June 2, 2001

Situated atop a small hill, Carbisdale Castle is a late 19th-century castle built for the Duchess of Sutherland, simply to piss off her husband's relatives (gotta love those Scotts). Eventually, after WWII, the castle was entrusted to the YHA as a hostel, and a great hostel it is. On top of having the cool distinction of being a real castle (history, medieval and fantasy buffs, this is the place for you), it is also haunted as any good castle should be. Atmosphere drips from the stones. (Click here to learn more about the history and stories of Carbisdale Castle).

At the foot of the hill, a lazy river meanders through the Scottish highlands,
emptying into the Kyle of Sutherland (off-camera to the right).
Day 5: June 2, 2001

There was only one problem with Carbisdale: there was no food available! We hadn't had dinner, and the closest town, Ardgay, was five miles down the road. We eventually bought some macaroni and cheese from the hostel's mini-store, as well as some cookies, only to realize we had no milk to prepare our food. Luckily, one of the hostel's attendants, a Swedish guy named Jans, was ultra nice enough to give us his carton of milk, since he could go later to buy some more. Thanks to Jans, we were able to have some food that night!

The Transfiguration 4 enjoy a great nighttime meal of macaroni 
and cheese, soda and shortbread cookies. Nutritious!
Day 5: June 2, 2001

There were two kitchens, one on the first floor overrun by a large group, and the creepy, lonely basement one. Creepiness aside, we used the basement kitchen since it was empty. Outside, night was a palpable sheet of darkness that obscured everything a foot in front of you. The cold was incredible and took us by surprise (it was June, for goodness' sake) and the wind blew as if giants were blowing right outside the windows. 

Yvonne, Danny and Lari show they are too sexy for Culrain.
Day 5: June 2, 2001

The castle after dark was a very creepy place; light was very selective on where it shone. We were staying in a room on the second floor of the tower, clear across the haunted area of the castle, and it was still a unnerving place. Danny, being the coward he is, went promptly to sleep, covered from head to toe, while Lari and Yvette stayed up until 3 AM talking and exploring areas of the castle. They would later confirm that the castle was indeed creepy, especially the lounge room (where curtains moved without any air flowing in the room) and a particular hallway draped in shadow in which stood a small statue of a cherub.

Eventually everyone went to sleep; fear is no match sheer exhaustion in the end.

To Day 6: Culrain / Carbisdale Castle