Day 4 - July 10

Our day started off with a nutritious breakfast of dairy and carbohydrates lightly sweetened with some sugar before we headed to Stirling Castle. After passing below its magnificent portcullis, we released the Scouts to their buddy groups and they were gone. They learned about the Scottish tapestry, the importance of the unicorn, the kitchens, dungeon, vaults, decorations, defenses, and much more.

Next we visited the Bridge of Allan for a lunch stop. Half the group went for fish and chips while the other group ate what we were told was ‘the best Italian food we ever had.”

We continued on our way to the William Wallace Monument. Meant to honor the 14th century Scottish hero, the monument stands at about 220 feet at the top of the Abbey Craig, it looms high above the surrounding landscape and can be seen for miles in every direction. Built of stone in 1869, 246 steps take you to the top where you are granted the most stunning view of the surrounding Scottish landscape.

Next up was Doune Castle, or ‘Swamp Castle’ as you probably know it (from Monty Python’s Holy Grail). This was a super-hit with the Scouts due to the audio tour narration by Terry Jones (Sir Bedivere, Prince Herbert, Cartoon Scribe, Dennis’ Mother, and Left Head from Holy Grail) and Sam Heuton (Jamie from Outlander). Each of the ‘guides’ either took you through their fun time while filming at the castle, or shared with you the known facts about life in the castle, cooking for royalty, how the castle was built, and every other piece of information you could want to know.

We had a 2 hour and 30 minute drive to Oban on the west coast of Scotland, but made a slight detour to Bracklinn Falls Bridge in order to witness a magnificent waterfall.

Our last stop of the day was the magnificent Oban village set against the meeting place of the Bay of Oban and Loch Linnhe. Overlooking the Isle of Kerrera, Oban is a sparkling gem of a seafaring town that puts many a competitor to shame. After a quickest-shower competition, some pizza, and a private bagpipe concert by the 1st Argyll (Lorn) Scout Group Leader,s son, we closed out the day with a visit to McCaig’s Tower above the town. Commissioned by a local banker in the late 1800’s the structure was meant to provide work for local stonemasons. It resembles the roman coliseum but was never completed due to the untimely death of its benefactor.