The day started early as we headed to Loch Lomond for a cruise on the lake. But first, we did a quick tour of some of the interesting sites of Glasgow. Glasgow is a mix of the old and the new. We didn't see the ruins that we saw in Ireland, but many of the still functioning buildings are from the 1600s to 1700s, sitting next to modern constructions.
The Loch Lomond route took us down wandering tree lined roads. There were hills in the background. Arriving at Loch Lomond, we boarded a boat for a cruise around the lake. The tour guide told us about the history of the Loch and pointed out historical and other interesting features of the lake.
Back in the road, we headed further down the road towards Stirling Castle. This castle celebrates the Renaissance period, and has several buildings with several different exhibits. There is the palace apartments with remarkable tapestries to visit, the Sterling Heads Gallery, a Chapel Royale, the gardens, and the Regimental Museum. There is even an Accessible vault where visitors who find the castle difficult to manuever get to see the exhibits remotely.
One of the exhibits we found most interesting was the Regimental Museum which followed the Sutherland and Argyle Regiments through the centuries. Fascinating.
If you want to learn more go here: https://www.stirlingcastle.scot/discover/
After Sterling Castle, just a little way on, we visited Wallace Monument - a monument built to honour William Wallace. Stirling’s famous landmark stands above the fields where William Wallace led his troops to victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge and tells the story of the patriot and martyr who became Scotland’s National Hero. There are 270 or so steps to the top of the monument..all up through very narrow, circular stone stairs. There are four levels to the top, each about 71 steps. At each level there is a display. I made it to the first level, but Bob managed all the way to the top!
After Wallace Monument, we visited the Kelpies. The Kelpies are 30-metre-high horse-head sculptures depicting kelpies (shape-shifting water spirits). Built of structural steel with a stainless steel cladding, The Kelpies weigh 300 tonnes each. Construction began in June 2013 and was complete by October 2013.
After this visit, we returned to our hotel. Bob and I walked down the street to a local pub (Molly Malone's) for wings and a pint. We had hot honey wings which were really very good. I would never have thought of combining honey with spicy heat.
Back in our room, exhausted from a fascinating day, we curled up and almost immediately fell asleep.
Hotel: Maldron Hotel
Weather: Cooler with a mix of sun and cloud -scattered sprinkles high 14c
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