Day 1 - Scotland in an afternoon

Calling on Scotland's Kelpies was our first priority, on this long-anticipated vacation. These new outdoor sculptures by Andy Scott honor Scotland's history, real and fanciful.

The Kelpies preside over a lock which joins the River Carron to the Forth and Clyde Canal. Kelpie A here gazes down at cameraman Roy, while Kelpie B tosses her head, rarin' to get going, perhaps to tow a barge alongside the canal of yore.

Roy moves closer. Dominating a park open to the public for barely two years, the dynamism of the sculpture's design is fast becoming legendary.

 

 Noble as the creatures are, the view up any horse's mouth is always comic. Yet, one never quite forgets that one is standing under 300 tons of steel, in each sculpture, reaching 100 feet into the sky.

 Here is the lock, situated between the horses. The surrounding public park is called The Helix (which is all you need to enter into your GPS). Be sure, too, to visit the Falkirk Wheel, another world wonder.

Another angle.  The interplay of light and shadow was even more lively than I expected. I definitely hope to return someday, with more family and friends in tow.

"Echo the great beasts that work among us."

 The canal itself, along with much of its floating stock,
is quite ancient.

With only a few hours to devote to Scotland, we soon took off cross-country through the rolling farmlands that bound the southern reaches of the Trossachs, bearing in on Balmaha on the east coast of Loch Lomond.

Visiting Scotland can be excruciating. So much beauty and drama, yet such narrow, shoulderless roads that the driver must go on as if wearing blinders with almost nowhere to pull aside to take a breath and photos.

These two shots are IT for my record of rural scenery, and the tiny pullover was still dangerously close to whizzing, home-bound commuters. The shot, below, of the road may look plenty roomy, but I challenge you . . .

We finally reached the shore of Loch Lomond, but unknowingly at a point which is largely closed to the casual  public.  I feel that the world owes Roy a better trip to Scotland -- maybe chauffeur driven?

A crossways view of the longest loch. The sight of an occasional hijab was a change from my last visit to Scotland in 2005.

 Scotland's "Most Loved Mountain Man, Tom Weir, MBE," poses with a visiting cockney.

And with a Scottish heiress. 

Some of you know my not-so-fanciful claim to the Throne of Scotland, mostly on the grounds that it has sat empty for far too long. I have honest roots in Dundee (Great-grandmother Martin) and Foggy Loan or Aberchirder (Great-grandfather Mitchell). . . . so, why not me?

 Picnickers in the small town park at Balmaha.

 This rugged, red mountain dominates the village.

And so, after a second quick stop it was off to Glasgow to connect with the fast train to London. The rest of our adventures will require other posts, another day.