Sunday, June 3, 2001

Our stay at Carbisdale had one purpose: to have a mini vacation from our vacation. Our day started very slow, with all of us having breakfast, and then everyone but Danny going back to sleep (time that Danny used to do his laundry and walk around the castle). Eventually, sometime around noon, we decided that we needed food and that, being that Ardgay was the closest town, and that we didn't have a car available, we would walk the five miles to town (Yvonne stayed behind due to her bad knee). So began our wonderful walk to Ardgay.

Yvette and Lari by an authentic rock wall on our 5-mile trek to Ardgay.
Day 6: June 3, 2001

At times it was hard to remember this was part of the real world. Sure, we could see the houses, and people tending their gardens, and the occasional car passing us (and waving!) but there was such peace in the air, such tranquility. One could certainly be forgiven if one suddenly thinks he or she has wandered into some sort of fantasy, into fairyland. This being Celtic country, such an occurrence is never far from being a possibility.

What most struck us was the incredible green of the land; it was as if this was where Green came to be and then went off into the world. The colors were vibrant and shiny, like a picture that has been digitally painted. But this was real, all around us, and for most of the walk, only ours to enjoy. We took it slow, walking down winding roads that meandered following the course of the river, paths that skirted and traversed patches of forest. We even saw a whole extended family of rabbits hopping in and out of their burrow, Scottish cousins to Danny & Yvette's three pet rabbits. In short, this walk turned out to be one of the most enjoyable moments of our trip so far (and overall, we would later realize).

A beautiful brook emptying into the Kyle of Sutherland. The photo just 
does not do justice to the brilliant colors of the scenery.
Day 6: June 3, 2001

Too late did we realize it was Sunday and all stores in Ardgay were closed. All except for one convenience store, which we promptly raided, emptying of candy, bread and one jar of peanut butter that would end up traveling all throughout Europe with us, and even back to the US as a souvenir (do not worry, it has since been disposed of). Making our way back to Ardgay on a taxi was as harrowing an experience as the walk had been relaxing; the cabbie drove the endless curves like he knew them by heart (which he probably did) at speeds that never went below 60 miles per hour.

Once we had arrived safe at Carbisdale, God granted us all a small gift: Val fell asleep, and we were all free to go and take care of one of the main reasons for our trip to the Highlands: Danny & Yvette's handfasting. Yvonne had scouted an excellent spot overlooking the kyle and valley below, and there, in the presence of our friends, nature and God, the handfasting ceremony was performed. You can see pictures of the handfasting here.

Danny and Yvette after the handfasting, high above the Scottish highlands.
Day 6: June 3, 2001

After the handfasting, and taking advantage of the wonderful sun at 7:00 pm, we went for a hike through the woods surrounding Carbisdale. The panorama was just gorgeous, and we got lost in the midst of copses of ancient pines and oaks and a hundred other trees. We walked by a cascade, following the trail up to its source, and then followed the wandering river around the mountain. At one point we reached a platform overlooking a valley. There we learned that on that valley was fought the Battle of Carbisdale in 1650. Today, peaceful farms occupy the land that was once fed with the blood of fallen soldiers, though stories say that sometimes, at night, one can hear the sounds of battle ringing in the air.

Lari, Yvonne and Yvette by a small lake that we found on our walk in the mountain.
Day 6: June 3, 2001

We returned to the castle at around 10:00 pm, and it was still daylight outside. In fact, Larissa and Yvette found out by staying up late that night never truly arrives; the sun sort of sets and begins to rise at around 2:00 to 3:00 am. Our last night in Carbisdale was creepy, since we now knew about the various ghost stories of the place. To make matters worse, in the middle of the night Val starts screaming, which (by his own admission) made Danny all but piss in his pants. It turned out she was having a nightmare, but boy did everyone get a nice scare!

To Day 7: Inverness