Flag of Scotland. Part of the Union Jack flag.
Here is a handy trail of scenic sights and monuments to admire in Scotland. (Oops - I typed sotland. I quickly corrected it.)
Let's start with Robert The Bruce
You might first come across Robert the Bruce at the entrance to Edinburgh castle, and not think much about him. You are surrounded by so many stories of famous people.
My favourite character is Robert the Bruce of Bruce and the spider fame. Bruce was a Scotsman at war with the English in 1306. He lost the battle with England Six times. Whilst in later years one could go on a pub crawl, Bruce apparently went on a cave crawl, as several caves claim to be the one where he saw the spider. it failed to secure its web six times, but didn't give up, and made it on the seventh attempt. Its industry in spinning its web encouraged him to continue his mission.
Robert the Bruce statue is in Stirling.
In 1745 the Jacobite rising began here when Prince Charles Edward Stuart ("Bonnie Prince Charlie") raised his standard on the shores of Loch Shiel. Seventy years later, the 18 m (60 ft) Glenfinnan Monument, at the head of the loch, was erected to commemorate the historic event.
The history of wars between England and Scotland came to an end when the son of Mary Queen of Scots, James V of Scotland and James 1 of England, was bequeathed the throne of England by Mary's childless, unmarried, cousin Queen Elizabeth I.
You can see pictures of all the kings and Scottish VIPS at the national gallery of Scotland and their portrait gallery.
Other well known associations include .
Finally, we come up to date with the Spectacular curved Glenfinnan Viaduct. This magnificent monument features in not one but several Harry Potter films. The arches link together like the letter m multiple times.
How many arches? Apparently, twenty-one.
For what it's worth, the bridge has also been features on the Scottish ten pound note.
Useful Websites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_towns_and_cities_in_Scotland_by_population
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenfinnan_Viaduct
https://schoolofbugs.com/do-male-spiders-spin-webs/
https://www.visitbritainshop.com/world/articles/harry-potter-film-locations/
Breakfast Stops
In Scotland we stayed outside Edinburgh at a hotel during the Edinburth Festival. They served Scottish porridge with salt. But knowing that we were from England, they asked if we wanted out porridge English style with sugar.
We tried the Scottish porridge with salt, an opportunity not to be missed. But soon we went back to English style porridge.
Whilst writing this blog post I went off to eat my breakfast porridge, from Scottish oats. I did not eat my porridge the Scottish way with lots of salt. We did add salt, but just a tiny amount. We ate our porridge in the English fashion with sugar.
The more you travel, the more you see and eat differently. Canadians add maple syrup to their breakfasts. Asians eat porridge made from rice.
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