Day 94 - Inverness to Culbokie - 7.4 miles


The blister was still uncomfortable so rather than irritate it I decided to shorten today's walk and take a train in the right general direction and reduce the overall mileage for the day.

While waiting for the train, I stopped for a coffee at MacGregor's - Despite them. A strange name for a cafe until the waitress explained....

Because of the MacGregor's support for the Jacobites, James VI ruled that the whole clan should be "exterminat and ruttit out” and encouraged the hunting of them with bloodhounds.
Yes! That's what he did!! This along with the banning of tartan or the playing of bagpipes inspired Walter Scott's call to arms in his poem "MacGregor's Gathering"

 "...they rob us of name, and pursue us with beagles,
Give their roofs to the flame, and their flesh to the eagles!
Then vengeance, vengeance, vengeance, Grigalach! (MacGregor Clan)
Vengeance, vengeance, vengeance, Grigalach!

While there's leaves in the forest, and foam on the river,
MacGregor DESPITE THEM, shall flourish for ever.
Vengeance, vengeance, vengeance!....

Oooooof!! Stirring stuff! so it isn't a surprise how much heat there is in the fire when the English come North of the Border to play for the Calcutta Cup!!!


The waitress plays fiddle in a band and explained Piurt a beul. - a form of spoken song used to accompany dancing from when bagpipes were banned. MacGregor- Despite them is a coffee shop and music venue so she played a recording of some Piurt a beul - almost like 17th C rapping.  Very powerful !!

What a great way to start the day.



At the station, I watched a skateboarder for a few minutes before getting the train to Conon Bridge
and then walked the 7 miles from there through wonderful farmland with views along the Cromarty Firth.

On the way, I met Craig who was building a dry stone wall - 'a drystane dyke'.
He was using a mixture of salvaged stone and new stone from a local quarry and doing a really nice job of it.

Eventually and uncomfortably I arrived at my self-catering accommodation at Culbokie - a very cosy shed in the style of a gypsy caravan.
I had great views across the fields down to the firth and the mountains beyond.

I cooked supper, sipping a beer and watched the weather rolling in.


Silence and sleep. Wonderful.

Total distance walked so far = 1152 miles
Total ascent so far = 131 818 feet

If you'd like to leave a comment, correct me on any detail or just nudge, it'd be great to hear from you. If initially it comes up as Anonymous, please just add your name at the bottom so I can see who it's from.

email: david.LL.thomas@gmail.com
mob: 07850109100

If you'd like to contribute to any or all of the three great charities I'm supporting, here are the relevant links.

- Parkinsons UK   - My dad had Parkinsons in his latter years and the research work this charity funds and the support it provides to patients and their families is invaluable. - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-thomas215


- Just Wheels UK  - this is a small charity set up to provide wheelchairs in a rural community in Tanzania. It does this through funding training, education and the local fabrication and servicing of bespoke wheelchairs. My nephew uses a wheelchair and as he grows I can see the life changing freedoms that proper wheelchairs can bring to both users and their families.- 

- RNLI   - these are the brave guys who selflessly head out to sea to help others. I volunteer at Littlehampton RNLI shop and often meet families of those who’ve had first hand experience of their loved ones being saved from the sea. Having sailed for years I can say thankfully we’ve never had to call on the RNLI's services but it’s amazing what it does to know they are there 

https://www.justgiving.com/

Comments

  1. Anonymous14 July 2022 at 02:03

    So, David, why does Princess Anne support the Scots when the Calcutta Cup is played?
    Keep up the good work - and in reply to your email to me, I haven’t cycled LeJog!
    Chris (Arundel)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14 July 2022 at 12:18

      Hi Chris. It's not for me to say of course but it might be that she thinks the opposition is always better looking!!??!!

      Delete
  2. Barrie14 July 2022 at 09:32

    After driving back from Scotland to Whitstable it's hard to imagine you've walked all that distance and more! Incredibly only a few miles to go ....but lots to see yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14 July 2022 at 12:28

      Hi Barrie, it was great to see you both in Scotland -lots of fun and that's without mentioning Ian Rankin!!
      You've given me an idea - what about Ireland??

      Delete
  3. Maria14 July 2022 at 11:31

    Fabulous. I feel the same when England come to Cardiff tbh 🤣.

    ReplyDelete

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