Wednesday, Oct 7

Well, for Outlander fans, our first stop as we travel south from Inverness, was the site of the battle fought between the Jacobites and the government forces (read, English) that was quick and pretty final for the Jacobite cause. Culloden Moor is a large, quite flat field, devoid of trees, buildings and anything else that might provide protection. The Highlanders were fierce fighters but were used to fighting on wooded, hilly terrain, their home turf so to speak, not an open plain.

Inverness Hotel

Battle at Culloden

While here, we were also able to see a few Highland cattle with their great shaggy coats, up close, just across the fence.

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Our next stop of the day was a local farm where the farmer/shepherd demonstrated his sheep dogs for us. He used about 6 or so for the demonstration, including a couple of 7week old pups. Even at 7 weeks they were instinctively herding the 'black faced sheep' and would lie down or come from at least 50 feet out in the field, when the shepherd called or used their whistle. The Shepherd did not use an actual whistle, all the varied calls he made himself, quite loud. Amazing how responsive the dogs were to his commands, either calling or whistling, and the pups were well on their way in their training. To fully train a dog, the farmer said takes about 2 years. Don't worry, Maggie and Lilli, you're still tops with us! He had a total of about 20 dogs, most would cost upwards of $10,000 each but he does not sell. He has only male dogs and was planning on keeping the one particularly bright 7 week old puppy. When he brings in the sheep from the high mountains, he works with about 7 dogs at a time.

Shepherd & his dogs

Black Faced Sheep

These sheep go fully relaxed in the position as in above picture, makes them easy to trim their hoofs or shear them.

A lunch stop in the picturesque town of Pitlochy was followed by a stop and tour of a the Blair Athol Distillery just outside the town, including a wee sampling. The first part of the process was sounding very similar to beer making. Being Canadians, we were all too polite too refuse!

The day finished up at a 280 acre old estate that has been taken over by Hilton Hotels in Dunkeld right on the River Tay, one of the great salmon fishing rivers in Scotland. Nothing like afternoon tea in their sitting rooms before another fantastic dinner.

Part of Dining Area

Afternoon Tea