A Journey Through Time: From Beauly Priory to Urquhart Castle

Our journey began with a sense of anticipation as we set off from the port gate, tracing the shores of the Cromarty Firth. The landscape unfolded like a tapestry of history, each thread woven with tales of the past. Our first destination was the Beauly Priory, a 13th-century monastery that once housed Valliscaulian monks from Dijon, France. Though the priory was closed due to recent high winds, the view from the gate was enough to evoke the grandeur of its storied past. The priory’s ruins, a testament to the ravages of time and Cromwell’s forces, whispered secrets of the Clan Fraser and Mackenzie chiefs who found their final resting place here.

As we continued our journey, we paused to admire the Highland cattle, their shaggy coats and gentle demeanor a charming reminder of the region’s pastoral heritage. Crossing Culnakirk Hill, we arrived at Drumnadrochit, where the majestic Urquhart Castle awaited us. Perched on a promontory jutting into Loch Ness, the castle’s ruins stood as silent sentinels over the loch’s mysterious waters. Here, history and legend intertwined, as we recalled the tale of St. Columba’s encounter with the Loch Ness Monster. The views from the castle were nothing short of spectacular, offering a panoramic vista of the loch’s shimmering expanse.

Inverness: A Tapestry of History and Culture

Our exploration of Inverness began with a visit to the Hill of the Fairies, a place steeped in folklore and mystery. As we made our way into the city, we were greeted by the sight of Inverness Castle, its stately presence a reminder of the city’s strategic importance throughout history. The statue of Flora Macdonald, a heroine of the Jacobite uprisings, stood proudly in the castle grounds, her story a poignant chapter in Scotland’s tumultuous past.

We wandered through the city’s historic streets, pausing at Leakey’s Second-hand Bookshop, a treasure trove of literary gems housed in a former church. The Old High Church, with its musket-scarred walls, bore witness to the grim aftermath of the Battle of Culloden, where Jacobite prisoners met their fate. Across the river, Balnain House and St. Mary’s Church stood as silent witnesses to the city’s rich history, their walls echoing with the stories of those who came before.

Clava Cairns and Culloden: Echoes of the Past

Our journey culminated with a visit to the Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age cemetery that has stood for over 4,000 years. As we walked among the ancient stones, we felt a profound connection to the past, the air thick with the weight of history. The cairns, with their stone circles and cleft stones, inspired Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, adding a touch of literary magic to the site.

The final chapter of our journey took us to the Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle fought on British soil. As we walked the hallowed ground, we could almost hear the echoes of the clash between the Jacobite and British forces. The memorial cairn, the Well of the Dead, and the clan gravestones stood as solemn reminders of the lives lost in the pursuit of freedom. Our visit to the battlefield was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for their beliefs, their stories forever etched into the fabric of Scotland’s history.

As we concluded our tour, we reflected on the rich tapestry of history and culture that we had experienced. From the ancient ruins of Beauly Priory to the haunting beauty of Culloden, our journey through the Highlands was a testament to the enduring spirit of Scotland and its people. Explore the Highlands