Summer Solstice: Monday, June 21
On this longest day, I leaped out of bed, intending to visit ancestral stomping grounds up in the Highlands. First step: find a nearby car to hire. By 10:30 or so, I was behind the wheel of a sleek, black Opal Astra, negotiating my way through Edinburgh traffic. Two adjacent roundabouts threw me into confusion almost immediately, and I was heading west—the wrong direction. Retracing, I was at last on the A90 and up the M90 northbound.
I got to see but an edge of Perth as I exited the motorway to find A93. It was towards noon when I pulled into lovely Blairgowrie. Here at its tourist center, I purchased a map, got info about the genealogists there, and picked up the inevitable brochures. Soon, I was back on the narrowing highway, feeling some frustration from being behind slow motorists.
My goal had been to make Glenshee by local noon. I was perhaps 15 or 20 minutes behind, but there I was at latitude 56° 48′, the farthest north I’d ever been at the time the sun was farthest in that direction for the year.
Three streams come together in this vale.
A lodge stands here.
I got lunch.
Churchyard held McIntoshes, but no Richeys.
A standing stone is just out of frame behind the church.
Drove back in this:
Edinburgh adventures continuesoon . . .
Comments
Howie, sometime I hope you will translate your adventures into American English for the geographically and culturally challenged. Most of your descriptions earn a “huh?” from me. In this post: Where are the Highlands? Should I have heard of an Opal Astra? What is a vale? What are bangers and mash? What is a standing stone?
No problem: the Highlands be Scotland’s northern-most points, those with tall elevations. I’d never heard of an Astra, either. Vale = valley. Bangers and mash = sausage and mashed potatoes. Standing stone = anciently erected monolith or single rock.
Hey, Scots Richey, did I loose a week? Or did you? Or have you realigned your blogs? Today is Wed. June 30 in Austin Texas and boyOboy have we in S and Central Austin had lots and lotta rain! At my house, nearly 3″ and more rain expected today. May ck for figs end of the week, but no sunshine to speak of, so maybe no ripening figs.
Missing you. Enjoying your journey w/you.
ymh
We’re still way behind. In Bavaria right now, but catching up on more Scotland and then London soon.