Perhaps more about travelling than food..
Are there any McGregor’s out there? Hello!
My mother’s side are McGregor’s and we have been able to learn a lot more about our clan and our family history, which is especially important to my mother. My uncle has looked into it a lot and gathered a lot of information which is really special, particularly as a white Australian (we are not original Australians and settled on true Australian’s land, specifically for my area - The Gundungurra People, some more media for this here) whose history is not Australia, but generally Europe/ United Kingdom and Nova Scotia.
After I moved to the UK, my parents came to visit and we travelled around the north and the midlands, my absolute favourite place being Scotland. We stayed at a few different places as we made our way around (Loch Ness included!) but my favourite by far was The Dunalastair Estates & Hotel Suites. This was just gorgeous and picturesque. Such a special treat and it was so nice to spend that time with my parents. This place was luxurious and what you would want in a holiday, you feel very looked after and every meal and drink is very relaxing and enjoyable.
We spent our days exploring and seeking out our family history and on our return would discuss our thoughts over a gin and tonic and a lovely dinner.
The Scottish Highlands are unlike anything else, very rugged and raw, so much history in those hills. I would go back for a visit now if I could!
My other favourite places were The Wallace Monument and Edinburgh Castle - as well as Edinburgh itself - just a GORGEOUS city.
We visited Mcgregor’s Bar during our travels which is coming soon to Madeline’s favourite pubs!
The Wallace Monument is dumbfounding. I am not a claustrophobic person or scared of heights, but this challenges both of those fears. The stairs are so thin, and so long, that you almost want to run all the way up so that you are finished with them, just wide enough for someone to pass you if they need to. It seems to be a fairly blind staircase (seeing about 2 metres in front as it is a spiral from bottom to top as well as windows every so often showing you how high you have climbed) and people would travel up the stairs in sessions with guides on each floor and a receptionist on the ground floor ensuring it is a smooth climb to the top. The very top will give you the very best views of the countryside for miles around. As challenging as it is, it is so very rewarding and beautiful. If you can, you must visit, the approach to the monument is beautiful as well as seeing it standing tall as you drive past.
Edinburgh castle was beautiful and so much history, as well as being massive! We had a day exploring the city and the castle and enjoyed a high tea while we were there.
I feel I should point out for all the dog lovers that there is a cemetery dedicated to all the dogs that served in the castle.
Another part of our Scottish tour was visiting Culloden (At the time I was OBSESSED with Outlander so it was especially exciting) and we were immersed in the history and the eerie nature of the now silent field.
I think the photos speak louder than words so I’ve added as many as I could from our time in the highlands. I would love to go back soon and I hope you enjoy the read as well as the links that might offer some more information. Once again, respect and thanks to the Gundungurra people for sharing their land with us as settlers on the ancient ground. As we discovered more of where we really came from (albeit generations back, it is our history nonetheless), it was very special and sacred to see, physically and geographically where we started as a family. I can never understand how the first Australians would have felt when the first boat people came (settlers) or what they went through, but now knowing where I am from adds a very tender and sacred feeling to family history.
McGregor Tartan, MCgregor's Gathering and McGregor's Bar
Cemetery for soldiers dogs of the Castle
A whisky tasting in the Malt Room, Inverness
The beginning of a wedding ceremony we stumbled onto
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