Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond

Another tour today. We went northwest from Edinburgh to Stirling, which is the ancestral home of the Stuarts, who ruled Scotland and, after the death of Elizabeth I, the whole of the English empire. I didn't think Stirling Castle was as impressive as Edinburgh Castle, but it's historically more important to Scotland. It was the key strategic point for the control of the whole country. Two of the most famous battles, Stirling bridge and Bannockburn were fought within sight of its walls.

From Stirling we headed towards the Trossachs and Loch Lomond. When we arrived at Loch Lomond, the weather turned really nasty. We tried a hike to a waterfall above the loch, but the weather and mud turned us back about two-thirds of the way there. Had wet feet the rest of the day. The loch was beautiful and the sun shone through before we left.

Here are some pictures.

Stirling Castle from below.




The main gate.




Scottish noble coat of arms from the great hall at Stirling Castle.




The coat of arms of James IV of Scotland--Scotland's greatest king.




While this may look like a cow, it's actually a Scottish "coo." Note the horns.




This is not a blue bell, those grow in England. It's a blue hare.




Loch Lomond.




More Loch Lomond.




We were reliably informed that these goats are descended from animals abandoned by Rob Roy, the most famous inhabitant of the Loch Lomond area.



The 10th green at Dalmahoy.




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