Harry Potter Bridge, Bruce, Bonnie Prince Charlie - Landmarks and Stunning Scenery in Scotland

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.

Robert the Bruce statue standing at Stirling Castle, Scotland

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. 

About the Author

Names You Might Meet When Travelling

UK flag

English Surnames
It has long been known that John and Mary are two of the commonest names in Christian England. The most popular surname or family name is Smith, comes from the work of the person, or rather their ancestor.

Smith is also the commonest surname in the USA, Canada and Australia and New Zealand.

As for first names, eventually you work out that Muslims are named Mohammed.

Catholics in France are called Marie, often hyphenated. Catholics in Italy are called Maria.

Irish Names
In Ireland Catholic girls are called Mary.

But Protestant girls are called Elizabeth, after Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII. He broke away from the Pope and founded the Church of England in order to get divorced from his wife who had reached menopause and could no longer give him a male heir.

The most common surname in Ireland is Murphy.

Indian Surnames
I knew that Indians were often called Patel. But these were just observations and random facts. Now you can see maps of each content showing you the commonest names in different areas of the world.

Asia
In China the commonest surname is Wang meaning king.
Another popular name is Li, meaning plum or plum tree in some dialects. A different spelling, Lee, is more likely in Korea, according to the list below.

USA


Useful Websites
https://www.traveller24.com/MyTravels/mapped-most-common-last-names-for-each-country-sas-inclusion-may-not-surprise-you-20191206-2
Most common surnames and England and Ireland
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-38003201#
Popular First Names in the USA
https://nameberry.com/popular_names/US
https://forebears.io/

About The Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.

Visit three Harrows, two Harrows in England and Haro in Spain

Depending on where you live, you might know one of these three Harrows before you get to hear of the other two.


Harrow-on-the-Hill in north west London has the famous historic Harrow School. You can take tours of the school. Photograph the statue of Queen Elizabeth on the wall. Maybe see boys wearing boaters (straw hats) in summer. Browse along the dinky shops and restaurants.

Harrow station is at the bottom of the hill in the middle of the busy shopping area. Department store, Marks and Spencer, St George's indoor mall with the friezes of St George high up inside, so high you could go there for years and never notice them. Pedestrian area beyond.  The station has two exits.

You can reach it on the Metropolitan train from Baker Street station. The Baker Street station is near Madame Tussauds and the statue of Sherlock Holmes and the Sherlock Holmes shop and museum.

If you are 'tired of London', as Samuel Johnson said, but not 'tired of life' as he suggested, take a jaunt

Harrow at Little Bedwyn is best reached by car. You can drive there from London and arrive in time for lunch, and be back in London for the evening.

Harrow at little Bedwyn is an expensive gourmet restaurant. Well worth the travel if you like that sort of thing. Go there for a special occasion. (A remote, small quiet, calm, countryside place, elegant - not for singing and dancing. If you don't want a birthday with balloons and crowds clapping, and all that fuss makes you cringe, you might prefer this discreet place.)

If you are watching your budget, get on their mailing list and look for the out of season offers in January or February.

The Joneses who run the Harrow and food and wine buffs. You can have a multi-course meal, and, if budget and health allow it, and being passenger or driver, heavy drinker or light sipper or professional spitter and taster, a set of matching wines.

Haro
Looking ahead to warmer summer weather, you might visit Haro in Northern Spain, the city at the centre of the Rioja region, mostly red, but also Rioja cava (which means cave) which is white. Look up Vina (there should be nya tilda over the n) Tondonia. We spent a happy holiday touring the vineyards. Some of the vineyards run tours which you have to book well in advance. Others are mass-appeal places which have a shop and constant tours.

So, there you have it, three 'harrows' two spelled Harrow and one Haro.

Useful Websites
Samuel Johnson Quotation
http://www.samueljohnson.com/tiredlon.html

Spanish Tourist Board
https://www.spain.info/en_GB/

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

See my other posts on Harrow on the Hill, the harrow at little Bedwyn and Haro. I also have reviews all over the net, on Facebook and Tripadvisor. Searches may bring up something I have forgotten which has great photos.