Jeremiah Watt

We start the day at the Cheesemongers and had a great selection, that was unbelievabely fresh.

The silent wings of life sized Spitfires barnstorm the halls of Kelingrove.

Our night in Glasgow, and getting the lay of the city worked out just right and saved us several wrong turns etc for the next day. Parking is a difficult thing around most of these cities, but to date we have managed not to get our car CLAMPED as they call it over here.

Just the most typical style of building construction that you will see in Glasgow.

We are up and leaving fair early, you can’t really get the same head start that you may be used to in USA, mainly because many of the businesses do not open till 9am, and all Museums are 10am to open.

First stop is the Kelingrove Museum, which was a great stop being mostly a natural history collection. The collection is fairly extensive in paleotological as well as modern specimens, since JW loves a nice skull, he managed to get a fill of that sort of thing. But hidden within the walls of this institution was an exhibit of arms.

The amphitheater within the Kelingrove Museum

They had an interesting suit of armour from Kiribati, said to be the most war like tribesmen in the world. Made entirely of “found” things of a natural make.

Just one of many of the finer Knights Helmets on display.

The swords are made of sticks lashed together, then bound with a lash holding tiny shark teeth together and the teeth face out on 4 different directions. The warriors armour is made of woven banana leaves, and make up a considerably durable leg and arm protection. The helmet worn was the most interesting; it looked every bit like the knights helmets that we have all grown up seeing.

A fine Rapier, made in Toledo Spain 1785 with gold inlay, for a French Lieutenent.

But these helmets are made using the spiny puffer fish, and those menacing thorns are pointing in every direction from the entire face of the wearer………….very cool display.

Also one of many very ornate jobs of wire wrapping sword handles in this collection of cutting edge weapons.

The front "porch" to the Hunterian Museum

Then we sat in the Hunter receiving Hall, and listened to the Pipe Organ which was built in 1724. The Hall, is a typical European Hall, having expansive marble floors and colonnades which rise to the roof line of the room some 20 feet above.

This is one of the high lights of the trip so far, this rectangle of gold Cloisonne wire work is appx 1.125 long by .750 wide. It is but one of many that make up an necklace, bracelet and earrings witha cross brooch................this was a WOW piece. Handmade in 1845 by some artist in what is now Burma.

The roof is a deeply segmented series of painted panels, the roofs gracefully arched shape is meant to aid in the room’s acoustics. The entire pipe organ is made of Mahogany brought over from Iowa……………..okay, I am just kidding about Iowa. The wood is South American.

The oldest carved leather Targe to have survived, the carving was done in 1597 in central England..............see Tandy Kit #435

The fellow played a total of 5 tunes, non by the Beetles nor Alice Cooper, so I didn’t recognize too many. Each of the tunes selected was to introduce all of us to the various styles of Pipe Organ music composed down thru the ages.

Ahhhh, yes the handcarved Ivory bow, of which I have now seen many. But none quite as exquisite as this one. Done in India, back in 1865. It is approx 12 wide, 8.5 wide and stands about 4.5 tall. This piece had a ton of intricate detail, very cool.

Off we go, and I mean at a fast make ya sweat walk. Time is of the essence as we still have the drive north to Ft. William ahead of us. We head for the, Hunterian Museum
Now this is a place I could easily spend a couple of days in, and I think the same goes for most of my crew. This is a very impressive collection of stuff, but I found myself to have only visited two rooms and it was time to hit the road.

Listening to those wonderful Pipe Organs belting out a Rolling Stones tune..........

What I did manage to see was the collection of world tribal art, just spectacular. From carved ivory items to carved wooden Maori canoe paddles. Most all of it dates to before 1875. Ever get here you have to visit.

We are looking back south at this point as we cross that Highland divide between Loch Ayr and drop over to Loch Fernie. There are parts of it remind me of Alberta, and others of maybe Montana. All of that is put behind me when I pass all the rock field row, and quaint rock cottages with the sheep and Highland cattle.

We are loaded up, and make our way to the outer edge of Glasgow and hit the narrow roads towards Ft. William. Now I had been doing just fine with the driving to this point, but it all went to Hades in a hand basket when we hit the B and the R roads. Poochy Maggie, are these babies narrow. I can tell you that come around one of these corners with a rock wall to you left and a logging truck barreling down the road at you………..it will be cause for your sphincter to tighten.

My new friend Rordie and all his Border Collies..........usually works sheep, but this day found him VOLUNTEERING to hand sweep a field that ewes has been out on, so that they could play a cricket match on the weekend.................it didn't seem like such a big deal to him. He is only 67

Did I mention logging…………………..hey you folks in USA, these Scotsmen log every place I have been so far, and I mean everywhere, even in front of the city parks and on the Balmoral Estates. And I hate to say it, but these forests just look healthy……….especially if you should compare it to something like our very dismal Dixie National Forests in Utah outside of Cedar City.

Approaching a headland on the upper Loch Fernie, rainy, foggy and quite gorgeous.

The hills rise very quickly and it was sort of rainy, foggy making the hills sort of like ghosts in the distance. The hills are so abundant with running water; small streamlets with tiny water falls dot the road side scenery, amidst stands of Pine and Spruce along with plenty of deciduous trees down near the Loch’s edge. I notice a man with a bunch of Border Collie dogs working at something out in a field, so I stop to visit.

The Highland breed of cattle are the favoured, the only other thing we seen where Holstiens and a few Angus. The Blone Highlands are the more common.

He is a professional dog man, having been hired to judge many trials over in USA. He has also competed and won against the likes of Jack Knox. He has competed in the Scottish Nationals several times. We had a great but all to short visit about good dogs and good friends, very nice guy. He was actually busy getting a cricket field ready, by sweeping the sheep manure off for the weekend Cricket matches.

Another one of those great Castles that can be seen but not easily reached............unless you travel by boat.

Next stop was a castle that sat out amidst the waters of a Loch and was only approachable by boat. This was a Pict built Castle dating from approx 1280………..that is to say before the Door Bell was invented. Then up thru the hills and over the pass to the next Lock and the waiting city of Ft. William. We did manage to see the signs to another small Castle and found it closed but still able to be photographed, so we did.

Just a little something we considered renting, but kids found the back seat a bit cramped........

Our Hostel in Ft William was sort of an eclectic mix of back backer sweat and incense, New Age and Buddhist, toking and meditation……………hey maan, we be fit rhat in mann!!!! We moved our scant trappings in and then made our way downtown to walk the town and find a Bar/Pub to eat at.

Walking the streets of Ft.William searching for a good Pub so we could eat and Mom could drink................

A HIghland roast, tatties, Yorkshire pudding ( that cup looking thingy)...........real fine fare.

The food in these Pubs is just great at least as far as we have found thus far. We picked the oldest looking Pub we could, and sat in on the creaky second floor. I had the Haggis, and I done it with the intention of getting that meal over with as all I have ever heard was how horrible the stuff is. I am now convinced that either I got lucky, or most folks have never even ate it and simply tell the story and extend the disgust. I simply loved it, it was served in a traditional manner, steamed then lightly, fried along with mashed tatties and NEEPS (turnips). Over top of this was poured a rich brown gravy made of an onion base. Superb Folks!!! Mom had a great Pork Roast, tatties and gravy and a Yorkshire Pudding. For desert we had Sticky Pudding in Custard, and a Profiterole filled with clotted cream and chocolate sauce over top. Very good but we all loved the sticky pudding & Custard.

Our first time for Haggis, which is located to the bottom of the picture here.

Its time for bed, so we make the walk back to the Hostel, it is now 11:15pm
Good Night and God Bless