We then went into Dunbeath to search out some of the places mentioned in the novel. We found the Highland River and well pool where Kenn (in the novel) catches a large salmon. There were a few picnic tables nearby and we decided to have our lunch there before taking a walk along the river. Ken led the way and we hiked for a few miles along a really beautiful stretch of land before it started raining pretty good and we turned back to go to the bus. However, the area of Dunbeath and the river were nothing like what I had pictured when I read the novel. The river was much smaller and the area had more trees than I thought. The river itself was actually more impressive though, thanks in part to how beautiful the scenery was around it. I really wish I had taken the time to take more pictures to help you all get a better picture of what I'm talking about.
We also stopped at a Highland Clearances monument in Helmsdale, dedicated to those Highlanders that were forced to leave their homes in the highlands of Scotland and migrate to other parts of Great Britain or other parts of the world, including the United States. It was a great addition to our reading in "Stone Voices" about the clearances.
On the way back to Carbisdale, we stopped at a grocery store so we could get some food to make at the castle since there was nowhere else to go to get food near the castle. I like that the food is cheaper here, but I'm not so sure that I like the difference in tastes of the food. Chocolates certainly taste better, but other sweet things (like pop), taste really weird to me. I am also dying for a real salad as well, since the Scottish version of a salad includes random vegetables and coleslaw, neither of which I am too particularly fond of. I miss my American food. :[
Tomorrow: Free day at Carbisdale Castle!
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