Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct in the West Scottish Highlands which is still in use. Its popularity was highly boosted by Harry Potter whose fans travel in flocks to see it.

Glencoe is a valley with many trails for climbing, hiking or trekking. Accommodation  is available for visitors. Its magnificent views are a draw for many tourists and locals.

A valley within the valley to explore.

One can't help but being awed by its natural beauty. We didn't stay here for outdoor activities - age forbids it.

Loch Lomond is the biggest lake in the UK by surface area. It became part of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Park established by the Scottish Parliament in 2002. My wife and I hold fond memories of Loch Lomond because we learnt the folk song "Loch Lomond" when we went to school in colonial days. The Scots are also very fond of the song and the Scottish National Rugby Team e.g. will often sing it in the changing rooms after winning a game.

I said in an earlier post I will write something about the connection between Loch Lomond and the Culloden Battlefield. Robert King and his wife, Janet Kissock, lived in Renfrewshire from 1673 to 1746. They courted two years (often on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond) and married in 1700, to be parted by his death 46 years later. When Bonnie Prince Charlie led the battle in Culloden on 16 Apr 1746, Robert King, then aged 72, joined the battle. He was in charge of training the rebels and also led the charge. The Highlanders lost the battle and Robert with others were taken prisoner to England. The English, to teach the Scots a lesson as well as to entice the Scots to accept the English King as the ultimate ruler of the UK, offered to kill one prisoner of ten and set the rest free. Robert volunteered to take the place of a young man. The lyrics ran that one of them would take the low road and the other the high road to Scotland. It meant Robert, taking the low road leading to death, would return to Scotland ahead of the young man as the Scots believe that if one died overseas, his soul will return to Scotland. Lyrics in the chorus also lament that me (Robert) and my true love (Janet) will never meet again on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Much of this I gleaned from "Loch Lomond - A Story of Culloden" written by Dr Wade King and published in the Scottish Banner. Dr King is the five-greats grandson of Robert King who led the charge of Culloden.

Stirling Castle with a statue of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland from 1306-29.

Visitors being given a briefing before embarking on the castle tour

When in Scotland, do as the Scots do - eat their National Dish called Haggis. These are mini versions just for taste.

I asked for Guinness but they didn't stock it. They offered something similar called craft stout and it turned out to be "Old Engine Oil"!

The Holy Rude Church of Stirling. "Rude" doesn't mean to be impolite but it's linked to "rood" which in Gaelic is wood. A holy relic from the True Cross is placed in the church, hence its name.

The Wallace Memorial. Sir William Wallace (1270-1305) is considered a national hero. He was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders in the First War of Scottish independence. Several movies have been made of him, most notably "Brave Heart' starring Mel Gibson. He lived only 35 years being martyred by the English, who considering him a rebel hung, drawn and quartered his body and dispersing them to four different parts of the British Isle.