Scotland

Inverness, Scot. It is also quite cold. I saw the first 'stick-around' snow in this hemisphere at Glenwhilly. Up till then it had been dissolute flakes melting on impact. And this place is more 'Montana-like' then anywhere I've ever been that wasn't actually Montana.

For the past two days it has been snowing pretty convincingly, but today I woke up and it had all melted. Ah well. Over the past two days I've visited Loch Ness and the Battle of Culloden. I've checked out the Episcopal cathedral of St. Andrew. I've done the river walk and seen the Ness Islands. I've perused the 'House of Fraser Tartan Visitor's Centre' and I've even eaten haggis. I've contributed to every Highland Scot stereotype I can think of, so now it's time to get on down the road. I'll be heading off for Edinburgh in an hour or so.

I even visited 'The Loch Ness Monster Experience 2000' which was actually a really interesting multi-media presentation about the sightings and research done in the loch, rather than a believer's account of the monster. Mighta been a sturgeon apparently. Personally, I'm looking forward to the day when they identify the plesiosaur, brontosaur, sea serpent, crocodile, hippo, AND sturgeon populations in the loch that are CLEARLY there.

I would highly recommend Northern Scotland, although I might also recommed coming in May or something. Or bringing plenty of warm weather gear. Or drinking lots of whiskey, which is how all the men in kilts, walking around with bare legs and going 'commando', must do it.