Getting Back to Business!

Well, I am finally back at my desk, since my wonderful Scottish fling, and then my annual "labor of love", working our local church Greek Food Festival, held every late-September here in Las Vegas. The weather was glorious, almost Autumn, and I was responsible for decorating the grounds. Of course, when the Festival opens, that work is done, so then I helped prepare salads for hours each day, then welcomed people at Admissions in the evening until closing.

So, I have to admit, I have not been diligent herein, and I feel quite guilty. But, I have truly been too busy to be inspired, and so I promise to get down to business again right now.

And, what more beautiful place to start than with than the place I stayed in the Scottish Highlands, the beautiful Culloden House. The history of the house, and the ensuing Battle of Culloden, mark a turbulent time in Scottish history, namely the Jacobite Rising, about 1745. At that time, Bonnie Prince Charlie used the house as his lodgings and headquarters prior to the battle.

In the 18th Century, Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, attracted the wealthy to the region where they settled, enjoyed the diversions of the day, balls, assemblies, etc. A group of manor houses sprung up in the countryside, Culloden being one of the nicest, on 40 acres of parkland.

Actually the history of the house goes further back, to 1625, with Duncan Forbes, a wealthy gentleman, purchasing Culloden from the Macintosh chieftain, holding it in the Forbes family for the next 300 years.

Later, another Duncan, became Lord Chief of Justice in 1745, suffered at the hands of the Jacobites, having the house occupied and plundered. Duncan was appalled by the battle of Culloden and urged George II not to inflict hard punishment on the Highlanders, but George II did not listen. Consequently, the Highlanders even lost their right to wear the Tartan plaids, and play their bagpipes. They were stripped of their cultural heritage. Duncan, it is said, died of a broken heart a few years after the battle. Later Forbes family members restored the house to what it looks like today, and the beauty of that is that you can stay there, which is a peaceful and lovely place set away from the city.

At left, see the beautiful front grounds and the dining room. Below, is the typical British lounge, for reading, chatting, taking tea, playing a game of chess. Of course, the chessmen are Highlanders here!

And of course, what would a manor house be without its formal garden. The "Forbes" garden, as it is called, graces part of the acreage, fit for a lovely stroll in the morning, or afternoon.

It makes me awfully happy to know that this lovely place, from a grand old time, remains looked after today. It was a joy to stay here! And,....I liked the vast selection of scotch in their bar room, but that's a story for another day!