" We HAVE to go to Scotland! We have just got to follow Jamie and Claire's trail"
This was the chorus of three hardcore addicted Diana Gabaldon " Outlander" junkies.
Hooked, we were simply and thoroughly hooked, on the love and adventures of Jamie and Claire Fraser. Three 50 something's immersed in the Scottish Highlands of Diana Gabaldon's romantic couple. We've read every book - we know this story inside and out. We HAVE to go!
Three 50 something's determined to find Craigh na Dun, the mystical portal of time travel. After all, we believe in magic. We believe in a multi dimensional world.....why not? It's there, somewhere in those ancient stones, right? Of course it is! Craigh na Dun, Lallybroch....
Thus started the planning to head to the highlands of Scotland. We would not go to experience the rich landscape and immense beauty of this wild corner of the world; not to discover the bloody history steeped in the grounds of Culloden or the medieval whispers of Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness. Those truly " highland"
sites would have their place in our adventure, of course. But, our true draw to the Scottish highlands was walking in the footsteps of dashing Jamie Fraser and the bewitched Claire Randall. Three 50 something's as smitten as16 years olds ogling the hunky high school quarterback.
Ok, we admit, a tad pathetic, but oh so much fun!
Enter our love, our fervor ( Thank you Helen for showing us the way) of Scotch whiskey. Burnished gold, smooth, gorgeous scotch. Hmmmm, rather than admitting to our "Outlander" crush, perhaps single malt Scotch whiskey is a finer reason to make this 6000 mile journey. Scotch, the quintessential highlands drink.This was understandable. Who doesn't want to explore the multitude of highland distilleries? This would make perfect sense to our 50 something compatriots. Of course! Trek to Scotland, explore the highlands, in the name of distilleries - comparative studies as it were. And, well damn, we are so very close. Why not make a side trip in search of to Craigh na Dun, that stone portal from 1950's Scotland to the 1700's of Jamie and Claire's world? Find our own " Lallybroch " , Jamie and Claire's Scottish family home. Ooops! I forgot it is really all about the Scottish whiskey.
So now we say the adventure is focused on wandering scotch distilleries. Sip, compare, Ahhhhh!
So enthralled were we with this new mission that friend Lynn , one of the life sister 50 something's who knows us so well, gifted us with journals to keep record of which distilleries we visit. Journals to records which aromas waft most pleasingly; which touches of smoky peat or rich grainy oat tempt us. Yes, THIS is it. This is why we are journeying to the Highlands. It is all about the Scotch whiskey
We are planning our Scotland journey. I am Walking Woman. I have walked the Camino de Santiago. Long distance walking is a new found passion.
" Let's walk the 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William,Scotland's glorious West Highland Way." I say.
We will soak in scenery (and Scottish whiskey mind you). It is a not to be missed experience for a walker. THIS is why we are truly venturing to Scotland! The final gratification of those last 16 miles into Fort William? Prove to ourselves we can trudge the highlands with the best of them? Fight the midges, survive the winds and rains? It is about the walk! That's why we are headed to the highlands we say.
Of course, one needs a shot of something at the end of a long day on the trail, right? Relax the aching muscles, tired boot worn feet. Scotch! Walk, sip...rest....walk.....sip.......
Ahhhh so this is why we are headed to Scotland....to walk.....and sip Scottish whiskey ....and, just perhaps,
Craigh na Dun....Lallybroch.....Cranesmuir........Jamie......Claire.....
" We HAVE to go to Scotland! We have just got to follow Jamie and Claire's trail"
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