The Highlands and Haggis

            In the highlands, nature and mysticism coexist to create a fantastical haven all to its own.  A collection of mountains whose peaks fly high above the cloud lines complement the crisp green shrubs and stalky pine trees. I found my nostrils craving to breath in what seemed as if Mother Nature’s very own breath. The highlands were possibly the most breathtaking place I have ever seen, and for that matter might ever lay my eyes on. It is one of the few remaining places where you can feast your eyes raw beauty.

One of our first stops on Saturday morning on our way to Isle of Skye. The greenery and and mountains extend for miles meeting the cloud lines. To the right is a loch that resembles none other than the map of Scotland!

            Friday morning we left for the tour and headed, if quite possible, farther north. As we made our way form the lowlands of Scotland towards the highlands, apprehension of the cold and rain sunk in. Nevertheless, we lucked out and were graced by sunshine almost everyday. Sometimes, I almost think that these mythical ferries and creatures famously inhabiting the highlands are the mastermind’s behind its fickle weather. What appears as rain is merely an isolated shower unknown to the cattle 100 meters ahead. To truly appreciate the nature of the highlands, you have to be able to be outside and smell the sea salt air and pinelands, feel the contours of the shrubby and walk along ancient paths. It is from this that your mind truly absorbs and wanders on its own path in the highlands. Evermore, our tour guide was, in essence, a transcriber of Scotland’s complex and mythical past. He truly knew the local legends and history, so each adventure was accompanied by animated telling’s of local ferries and creatures alike set along the most desirable sights at every excursion.

A beautiful waterfall int he highlands! I loved the green and
yellow hues of the grass and light lavender flowers.

            Not only was our tour guide full of energy, but also our entire group was just as excited as I was to explore the highlands. My friend and I met two girls, both from Australia, who we ended up spending the majority of our highland experience with. Together, we explored all the excursions and shared stories of home and our travels abroad. Back at the hostel, we spent the nights in the pub with our group and even tried a traditional Scottish dish Haggis-stuffed chicken! One of my favorite aspects of traveling abroad, which each trip seems to share, is the opportunity to experience all of these adventures with newfound friends. In turn, not only do I learn about where we set out to explore, but also begin to understand their very own slice of the world. To where and in what context is always a surprise, but one that I welcome, and know will accompany every journey abroad. While I may not see my Australian friends for some time, the prospect of maybe, and moreover the memories we shared are always there. That is the nature of studying abroad. By learning about life in other pockets of the world, I can begin to reflect on my very own thoughts and experiences.

Waving the Scottish Flag on the Isle of Skye! It was the perfect sunny day to gaze out onto the mountaintops and see their reflection in the still of the loch.

Amazing views from the hilltop of The Old Man of Storr.
Each direction I turned, I gazed off onto an entirely fresh
palate of sea blues and fresh greens.

            Some of my favorite stops along the trip were a mountain at Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and the seaside town of Portree. Each place had its own special curiosity, but shared richness in the highland’s nature and culture. On Saturday morning, we made our way to Isle of Skye passing by cascading mountains and crossing the bridge to Skye. On Skye, we hiked various mountains and peaks stopping to enjoy the views and crisp air. There is one particular excursion that I gravitated to. Midway through our exploration of Skye we stopped at a mountain that many travelers, such as ourselves, hike. This mountain stands as a focal point on Skye graced by a peculiar distinction. On the right of the mountain two sharp peaks stand bright and tall. One a bitter

taller than the other, but both enjoying their very own contours and crumbles of the rock. On our hike, we walked halfway towards these peaks, as making our way fully up the mountain would have been quite an extensive journey for a large group lacking proper hiking equipment. Once we made our way up the various twists and turns, we rested upon a green hilltop that looked out onto the subsequent mountains and lochs of Skye. This is nature at its origins- calm and serene among the land. It was as if I was looking out onto world’s end, but an end that seemed to extend into an abyss of mountain, sea and sky. While the views were exceptional along this mountaintop, one of the main factors I really enjoyed were the stories woven into these cliffs. This mountaintop is known as The Old Man of Storr. Isle of Skye is well known for its ferries and Elephant, the king of these ferries. They are known to play tricks on the townspeople and the source for much of the magical brewing on the island. The story goes that there was an old couple who would come everyday to enjoy these same we had looked out on. Here, they would tell stories about their past in. However, they were becoming too old to make the climb and decided this would be their last time savoring the view. Elephant and his ferries so enjoyed the stories this old couple told that he offered them the opportunity to eternally enjoy these views they had been enjoying throughout their lives. Elephant proceeded to offer this couple the opportunity to gaze onto these views for eternity. Puzzled at the mysticism of this offer, the old couple sat and pondered. As they took one look out towards Skye the began to head back down the mountain until at one moment their bodies started to transform into cliffs. Soon enough they were mounds perched alongside the mountain forever gazing upon the views they so enjoyed. This is in fact those two distinguish peaks alongside the mountain. After hearing about this tale, I am now graced with the face of an old man on the perched cliff and women, whose bones could no longer take the pressure and started to crumble alongside mirroring the neighboring sliding peak. This tale proved so powerful that the mountain, like many other parts of Skye is now named after this couple as The Old Man of Storr. Geography or tales who really knows, but both are the part of the livelihood of the mystifying Isle of Skye. Faces appear and shapes fold among mountain cliffs and a whole new setting suddenly strikes me.

My friends and I waving the Scottish Flag on top of the Old Man of Storr. We loved hearing the tales of the mountain and the chance take on this famous hike!

            Another one of my favorite adventures along this trip is our excursion to the seaside town of Portree. It is actually one of the last towns before crossing the bridge to the Isle of Skye and, like the island, holds its own special virtues and enticements. The village smells of sea salt and fresh caught fish- one of my favorite and familiar scents! As we ordered lunch, we passed by charming little shops inviting us into this little world located in the highlands. We sat along the harbor and enjoyed our lunch. Sea salt smells and anchored sailboats paint portraits against a background of ocean and mountain cliffs. The buildings alongside the town were stucco buildings decorated in pretty pastels and blanket whites. It was as if an artist found inspiration for a seaside village and transformed it into this town. I was actually quite surprised to find such a quaint fishing village in the highlands. My preconceptions left me with an image of countryside cottages and grazing cattle along hilly mountaintops. Nevertheless, it was an excursion well received and one bringing me back to my enjoyment of the sea!

The perfect place to enjoy a seaside lunch! We could smell the fishy sea salt air as we ate. Yum!

The famous and beautiful Loch Ness. If only Nessie had
woken up for a Sunday morning greeting.

            One of my other favorite stops was Loch Ness. The iconic loch is known for the tales of the Loch Ness monster, Nessie. Beyond the stories, though, is a valley of mountains that extends along this endless body of water. This is one of the four lochs and is so big it is actually thought that the entire world’s population could fit in it ten times over! While it may be large, its features are well defined and culminate a distinct sense of natural beauty that is almost incomprehensible to the human eye. I found myself gazing at the aligning mountains fixating upon this loch. The first day we arrived, we passed by Loch Ness. However, it was rather late at night and my mind was left to sort through my own Loch Ness fantasies and the eerie slices poking between pine trees. I was left with a depiction based upon urban legends, which although fantastical does not do justice to Mother Nature’s mystifying beauty here. Continuing along the spooky and dim-lit road, we passed by a local town named Drumnadrochit. I cannot seem to rid this name from my brain- I simple love it! I feel as though I am singing a special Scottish tune while saying the name. Apparently, I am also not the only one. It is also the hometown to one of the Simpson characters. In one episode, this character travels back to Scotland, dresses in traditional Scottish attire with his bagpipes and head down to Loch Ness for a lovely conversation with Nessie. If only this was my reality. Sunday morning, we went on our true exploration of Loch Ness. We stood at what appeared as the focal point of the loch. The mountains and pine trees patterned the background of the loch. Together, they focused inward creating a central place where this body of water, greenery and rock cascaded to some timeless mythical virtue ahead. As we walked to one of the most amazing views of the loch, our tour guide attempted a little morning adventure. We were to summon Nessie, but by doing a chant that more readily resembled Michael Jackson’s thriller. Quite the morning site, especially since our tour guide was wearing a kilt. Nonetheless, if there was one way to wake up Nessie on a Sunday morning that was it! I think all Loch Ness explorers can’t help but hope to feel the ripples in the loch and see the emergence of Nessie. Such creature is left to imagination of our minds alone. Loch Ness is a haven of mythical tales and an aspiration to one-day share a moment with Nessie. Until then, I think I will enjoy the view.

So much happiness on the trip to the highlands! The sights, the smells the stories everything was just amazing.

Sweet little Harry Coos! I couldn't believe they actually moo too!

Amazing views of Scotland on the Isle of Skye! It really is a like looking into a mythical world.

The highlands certainly hold a very special place in my heart. It was a chance to explore a region that houses so many of my very own interests and an opportunity to learn about the country in which I am studying abroad. It is not everywhere you can see the adorable Harry Coos, while also standing on the battleground of ancient clans and Celtic groups. One does not have to travel far to experience adventure and fantastical sights. It exists in my very own backyard of Edinburgh and up in the highlands. I envision routes of exploration living in all pockets of the world. Sweet smelling baguettes warm the cool fall air in Paris and crushed candy canes snow at a Christmas Feast in New England. I hold the key to open the door and unlock a world of adventures. Oh, the entry to exploration!