Exploring Pitlochry (Sunday, Sept 6)

Breakfast room at Claymore
Guest House has a great view of
the gardens.

First order of business: breakfast at Claymore Guest House! Graeme had already instructed us that we had to have porridge with whiskey on our first morning along with our choice of many other items on his menu. What we hadn't expected was that he was going to show us how to properly eat porridge in Scotland:

• Cook your porridge (Graeme had already done that!)
• Put a generous amount in the bowl.
• Pour just the right amount of whiskey on top (he poured for us).
• Eat!

Claymore Guest House and its
lovely gardens.

That's it. Nothing else is allowed. It was good. Smoky added a little honey to his. Tomorrow morning, we're planning to have a few fresh Scottish strawberries on top!

Today was even sunnier and warmer than yesterday, so we decided to focus on the outdoor activities first. Queen's View was nearby. Just after we crossed the River Garry, we pulled into a car park. A number of trails originate or end at this car park, and quite a few people were already there when we arrived. Behind the recycle bins, we stepped into the woods and were immediately overwhelmed with a calm, peaceful, old energy so powerful it brought tears to our eyes. Very tall Douglas fir trees filled this area, and the ground under their feet was soft and welcoming. What an experience.

This is Queen's View!

We continued on down a narrow and winding road, which followed along the edge of lovely Loch Tummel. Queen's View is just an overlook, but a really nice gift shop and cafe have been added, the latter having outdoor seating, which today was full of people enjoying homemade baked goods, coffee, and warm sunshine. We bought some sandwiches in the cafe and walked the 80 or so yards to the overlook. They view is worthy of a queen!

Speaking of queens, the sign at the overlook says that this overlook was made famous by Queen Victoria's visit in 1866, but that it was most likely named after Queen Isabella, the wife of Robert the Bruce. Of course, no one told Queen Victoria that!

If your dog goes shopping with  you,
you have a special, shaded place to park!

Our next stop was Blair Atholl, where Smoky's Clan Donnachaidh has a museum. Turns out the museum is in the back part of a nice gift shop with clan-type items (but not just for Clan Donnachaidh). We found two self-guided tours of nearby locations that are important in the history of Smoky's clan. Before we started one of those tours, we ate an early dinner in a restaurant that served buffet style. You could choose an entree and then help yourself from the vegetables, as much as you wanted. Smoky had a great chicken in wine sauce (really yummy). I decided to just have veggies -- tiny whole string beans, sautéed kale and cabbage, carrots and parsnips diced fine, and three kinds of potatoes. Every veggie tasted great! 

With our bellies full (yet again), we headed out on the first Donnachaidh tour. One of our first stops was at an old church where a number of historic Donnachaidh leaders are buried. The old cemetery was quite interesting. Unfortunately a note on the door said that monthly services at the church were cancelled indefinitely. 

By the time we returned to our guest house, it was just dark and we were weary from the busy day. Time for some rest!

--Shann

[more photos from the day below]

We would call this firepink. It is blooming now along many
roadsides!

Scottish thistle (may not be the "proper" name) is a little
smaller than ours and much brighter in color.

This geranium is smaller than ours and a brilliant color!

Bruar Falls near Blair Atholl.