Nairn - Culloden - Dunrobin Castle - Brora

As they used to say on the tour, I had a relaxed start this morning. I knew today's drive was only one and a half hours, so I could afford to take my time.

Today's Journey

And today was memorable, because it marked the official start of the North Coast 500, which will take me around the top of Scotland, and down down the other side. This journey was probably my primary reason for embarking on this trip.... all the other bits just followed along!

So, after a leisurely breakfast I wandered down to the beach in front of my hotel, as I didn't really get the opportunity last night. And there I could see the most lovely view... which included snow on the mountains in the distance...

See snow on mountains in distance from Nairn beach

Nairn beach

 So then I just put Brora into my little GMaps and away we went. I hadn't really had much of a chance to do any research about today's journey as I only checked in after dinner last night and had two important things to do - my Blog (of course) and some more washing!!! There was a towel heater in the bathroom, so I couldn't pass up an opportunity like that for some drying overnight... So, even though it was pretty late last night, I did the socks and jocks and by morning they were perfectly dry! Yee haa!!!

As I was driving happily along the highway, I saw the sign to Culloden Battle Field and I had passed it before I knew! So, first parking bay to come up I pulled and chucked a U turn and went back and visited it.

Now this visit was important for a few reasons, as it turns out!!
1. Of course the historical significance to me as a History Teacher
2. The significance to me as an "Outlander" watcher!!!
3. They had a lovely coffee shop which was warm and had plain food
4. The free wifi allowed me to watch part of the Mighty Hawks match live on my phone... sadly, it was all in vain as we lost .

So, first things first, coffee and the first quarter of the footy
Then I bought my ticket to the display and gained my audio guide, which I always enjoyed.
and the English eyes.

For those who may not know about this battle, it was what the whole of Outlander was leading up to!

The English, once again, were fighting about who should be on the throne. You can read all about it on this site "The Battle of Culloden" if you wish, but basically it was Bonnie Prince Charlie against the Brits and Charlie didn't do too well in the tactical line and should never have attacked when he did. Charlie was basically on the Catholic side, against the Protestant English. Anyway, it was a blood bath as usual and Charlie's side lost and the English pursued all those involved and virtually created a massacre afterwards, so the Duke of Cumberland (who led the Brits) became known as the Butcher.

That's a bit simplistic, but you get the idea,

Anyway, after going through the very interesting display, I ventured outside on to the battlefield.
It was soooooooo cold and windy, Actually,  when I came in again my face was bright red from windburn. I was nearly knocked off my feet by the force of the wind.
Here's a few pics of the battle field...

About Culloden Battlefield

About Culloden Battlefield

Me outside the memorial Cairn

Memorial graves on the Battlefield

After nearly freezing to death outside, it was time to return to the warmth of the coffee shop and have some lunch and watch some more football. They had a home made meat pie on the menu, so I had one of them... lovely!!! Then I sat and watched the footy until 3/4 time. But I knew I had better keep moving... so as soon as I moved on they started losing!!! 😢 I actually was able to stream the broadcast in the car, but it was too close and I really had to concentrate on where I was driving, so I turned it off. My brother and niece were keeping me up to date, but all to no avail.....

So, that was the morning...
Next thing was just to  reset GMaps for Brora and off we go again.
It was a beautiful drive once again as the road (the A9) hugged the coast. The further North we go, the more majestic the mountains are becoming. Those snow capped mountains seen across the Firth of Moray this morning were now closer in the background.

Here are some views along the road.... I could've stopped every 5 minutes because the scenery was just lovely, but you have to draw the line somewhere.....!!!

Views along the road

Views along the road

Views along the road. Note the yellow gorse bushes

 As I was going though Golspie, I saw the turn off to Dunrobin CastleDunrobin Castle and remembered I had read some stuff about that and it looked interesting. So I turned in for a look.

Dunrobin Castle

I was thinking... "Will I, won't I??" and thought I might as well. One good thing is that I get into all these places for a concession rate now... they never ask for ID, so I must be looking my age!!!!

It was ok, I guess.... bit like Upstairs Downstairs, or Downton Abbey....

Dining Room

Chamber Pots

Gardens

Gardens

They also advertised a falconry  display at 2.30pm... fortunately I missed that!!

It was only when I was reading about the castle over my dinner tonight that I realised that the Sutherland family who owned this castle were actually not the good guys, but the bad guys...

The largest house in the Highlands and modelled on a Loire chateau, Dunrobin Castle
was designed by Sir Charles Barry, the architect behind London’s Houses of Parliament.
It is the seat of the Sutherland family, once Europe’s biggest landowners with a staggering
1.3 million acres. They were also the driving force behind the Clearances here – it’s worth
remembering that such extravagance was paid for by evicting thousands of crofters.

 Don't think I would've spent my money if I had known that!!!!

 So, now there was only 10 minutes and I arrived at my destination for the night, Brora, where I'm staying at the Sutherland Inn. I was a bit worried when I arrived, because it's right on the street and doesn't have any parking. But there is a public car park across the road, and my bedroom is out the back and looks out onto the lovely little River Brora...

Sutherland Inn Brora

And I had the best tea... I had the fish in breadcrumbs and it was delicious, and I asked for mashed potato and just a few veggies, and they gave me the perfect size!

Because I'm in whisky country, I had to try an Irish coffee and so the barman came over and asked me what Whisky I wanted...???? Hellooooo...??? I have no idea, so I went for the cheapest!
It tasted nice though!

So, today was a nice cruisey day, which went along at a happy pace. Makes a nice change !!!  :)