Loch Lomond

The last stop of our Scottish Sampler is at Cameron House on the (say it with me) ... bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.  Loch Lomond is a freshwater loch and is the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain (by surface area, not volume), and is considered the boundary between the lowlands of Central Scotland and the Highlands.   Historically, the loch is famous for being the site of a bloody Viking invasion.  In 1236, King Haakon had his men carry Viking longboats overland to enter this loch and engage in a gruesome pillage of the unprotected islands and shore communities.  The Vikings were eventually undone by King Alexander III of Scotland when Mother Nature unleashed a storm that destroyed their boats, allowing Alexander and his troops to finish them off.   This was to be the last Viking invasion mounted in the UK, unless you include ABBA in the 1970s. 

Fortunately nowadays Loch Lomond's most vicious invaders are the midges (bloody devils - thank heavens for Avon Skin So Soft).  The area offers such attractions as Stirling, Balloch and Doune Castles, the Trossachs National Park, an aquarium and wildlife park, as well as numerous hikes and hill walking opportunities.  The area features many sporting diversions and given that we would be missing pretty much every scheduled Highlands Games (tragic timing!), we decided to stage our own version of the Highland Games with what Cameron House had to offer.  First up was archery where we learned the correct way to shoot with a bow and arrow at fixed targets.  We were fortunate to have a young but very experienced instructor to guide us.  Chris was the winner, scoring a bottle of home grown whisky by hitting the center bulls eye, but Noah was the overall winner by points, with Sofie coming in second.


The Archers Three

Bulls eye!

Sofie, Ewan and Noah

The next event was falconry, and while it wasn't technically scored, we're pretty sure the Golden Eagle, Artemus, was the victor, if only by intimidation.  Seriously though, to hold these magnificent creatures was incredible and to have them fly and land on our arms was quite surreal.  Falconry is still practiced as a hobby in Scotland but for years was a way of life in this region. 

Noah and Corrie

Sofie and Midge

Noah and Artemus

Chris and Alba

Our Highland Games ended with a non-participatory event at the Aberfoyle Scottish Wool Center where we learned a bit about raising and tending sheep.  There are about 3 sheep to every Scot and most of them are the Scottish Blackface which can best tolerate the rocky terrain and temperature extremes of Scotland.  Sheep are raised more for meat than wool these days and humans have raised sheep in Scotland for at least 8,000 years.  Dogs are frequently used to assist the shepherds and a presentation showed a border collie at work with sheep as well as ducks.  The center also had a extensive shop with authentic Scottish woolens and gifts.

Sheep herding demonstration

Duck herding demonstration

Other outings included visiting the sea life aquarium in Balloch as well as Balloch Castle which was directly across the loch from our lodgings at Cameron House.  The Balloch Country Park was vast and provided excellent views of the loch and countryside.  It seemed to be a popular destination for locals to walk their dogs and hang out.  The Castle itself was being renovated so we weren't able to see much of it, but it was a spectacular day to be on the grounds.

Balloch Castle

Views of Loch Lomond from Balloch Country Park

View of Balloch Castle from Cameron House

View of Cameron House from Balloch Castle

Tree climbers

We also had an opportunity to travel about 40 minutes to the picturesque city of Stirling, a beautiful village community and home to the impressive Stirling Castle.  Dating from the mid-13th century, this castle was more about royal indulgence than military might.  The castle changed hands many times and is usually associated with Robert the Bruce and an impressive statue greets you as you enter the castle grounds.  Our time in Stirling was pretty short and the kids were feeling a bit "castled-out" so we did not do the full tour but were content with strolling the wall walk and taking in the views.

Robert the Bruce statue with the Wallace Monument in the left background
with views of Stirlingshire.  William Wallace was a military leader in the
Scots fight for independence from Britain. 

View from Stirling Castle

Cambuskenneth Abbey

Our lodgings at Loch Lomond were at the impressive Cameron House which deserves special mention as it was a most fitting finale to our Scottish experience.  The main house dates back about 400 years and has been used as a resort/hotel since 1984.  The 189 rooms are both a combination of old architecture and newer construction.  We were fortunate to have our rooms in the old portion just below the main hall complete with window wells and original stonework.  Cameron House seems to be the epitome of Scottish hospitality and charm with tweed carpeting running throughout and select tartans and tweeds adorning every piece of furniture or tapestry.  Examples of clan kilts, sporrans (Scottish man bags), targes (leather shields) and other Scottish finery adorn the walls throughout the manor.  There is also a modern fitness center and indoor pool complete with twisty slide (or flume, as the Scots call it).  The staff was consistently helpful and accommodating and the food in each of the three restaurants was amazing.  The resort also offers golf, miniature golf, skeet shooting, tennis, croquet and watersports. 

Front of Cameron House

One of the many sitting rooms at Cameron House

Hallway in Cameron House with Scottish finery on display

Interesting mural by Gary Myatt at the Cameron Grill at Cameron House
depicting modern women with traditional Scottish men.

So, as it happens we leave Scotland with Loch Lomond as our final stop and our hearts heavy with the knowing that we may not return.  We have all been bewitched by the beauty and majesty of this land, the graciousness and pride of its people and the wealth of history and culture that it offers.  We leave you with the Scottish lament of  Loch Lomond.

By yon bonnie banks an' by yon bonnie braes
Whaur the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond
Whaur me an' my true love will ne'er meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'.

O ye'll tak' the high road, and Ah'll tak' the low road

And Ah'll be in Scotlan' afore ye
Fir me an' my true love will ne'er meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'

'Twas there that we perted in yon shady glen
On the steep, steep sides o' Ben Lomon'
Whaur in (soft) purple hue, the hielan hills we view
An' the moon comin' oot in the gloamin’.

The wee birdies sing an' the wild flouers spring
An' in sunshine the waters are sleeping
But the broken heart it kens, nae second spring again
Tho' the waeful may cease frae their greetin'.

The bonny bonny banks in front of Cameron House featuring
the sea plane used for aerial loch trips.

Seagulls at Duck Bay

We have two days in Dublin before we return home and will report back on our experiences there.  We will close with Scottish musings and our Best of the Rest.