FREEDOM!!!

After cramming 5 people plus bags and a dog into Cristina's car, we were on to the first stop on this amazing roadtrip--the William Wallace monument in Stirling City.

246 steps to the top! However, no one told me they would be spiral staircases of DEATH!

In the 1200s, William Wallace tried to rally a band to overtake the British and make Scotland independent. Now, his quarters are spread to the four corners of Scotland to remind the rebellious Scots to stand down. The monument holds a replica of his sword which by the size of it means Wallace must have stood 6 foot 6!

A gorgeous view from the top!

In order to see the glorious Doune Castle, we had to skip the Stirling Castle as driving at night is no fun.

By the time we drove to the lovely town of Doune, we starving thus beginning the cycle: drive, eat, drive, see a castle, drive, eat, sleep...stopped at a little Ma & Pop pub, Red Lion Inn, I stuck with a hamburger while the others got some brilliant Steak and Ale pie.

At Doune Castle, I signed up for Historical Scotland where you get free entrance to all the castles in Scotland (this will be very handy for the next 4 years). Got nifty audio devices that gave info about each room and...little tidbits about the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail!!! Yes, the infamous "I fart in your general direction" scene was filmed at Doune Castle. Along with the French insults, several of other scenes were filmed in the various rooms including the beloved Camelot dance routine.





The stairs in Doune Castle were even worse than the monument. The steps got smaller and steeper as I got higher. Luckily, Rebecca was willing to catch me if I started to fall to my certain death. Despite the evil stairs, we had a lovely photo shoot on the roof.



Then it was onward to our first B&B, Onich Hotel on Loch Linnhe. The drive was really desolate but pretty. Lots of dead grassy hills. Apparently, the government is trying to replant the forests that were destroyed during the Middle Ages. The landscape was kind of what I imagined Scotland to be. The hotel was a nice with a restaurant/pub and a gorgeous view. The food was pretty tasty and they let Kira in the pub! She was very happy to get so much attention. The food was pretty tasty and dessert was AMAZING!!