Stories from Scotland

First off, my sincerest apologies to all those earnestly awaiting travel updates...as I did not bring the laptop, I have been unable to blog while on this trip :( However, in this our fourth hotel there's a computer in the lobby which I'm now using to give y'all a quick update on my travels in the bonnie land of Scotland.
It has been an absolutely amazing week thus far. Flying into Edinburg (pronounced Edinborough) on Monday, we quickly hit the ground running for three days of touring in and around Edinburg. Some of the highlights of that stay were Holyrood Palace, the official royal residence of Scotland, Abbotsford (Sir Walter Scott's country residence), walking the Royal Mile with an amazing godly Christian man who gave a fantastic tour and more insight into the lives of the Covananters in Scotland, trying haggis which Joshua ordered for dinner one night, and purchasing kilts for nearly all the family :)
Thursday morning we left Edinburg for another several days of touring, visiting several gorgeous castles and cathedrals including St. Andrew's Castle, Stirling Castle, the gorgeous ruins of Dunnotter Castle, and Melrose Abbey. Saturday was a nice break from all the travelling as our group spent the day at the Pitlochry Highland games to enjoy Highland dancing, tossing the caber, tug-of-war, and throwing the hammer. Whoever ridicules men in kilts has never seen kilted guys at Highland games...I am almost convinced that the kilt gives them the strength to toss those huge tree trunks :P
Sunday we left our second hotel for the Highlands, where we visited Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle and watched a few of our group go for a swim in the loch :) Sunday night several of our group spent a wonderful time of prayer and fellowship before a long night of sleep :) This morning we drove to Glencoe where several of our group took an epic hike to a hidden valley :) Scrambling up and down rocks, hiking high in the hill/mountains, crossing an ice cold stream (and for some of us, falling in an ice cold stream :P). The hike was a bit strenuous, but the views were just spectacular and I can't wait to bring home pictures for y'all. Speaking of which I'm clocking in at just under a thousand plus around 80 from Sarah's camera :) So plenty of pictures for all of you to enjoy. After the Glencoe hike we drove to our fourth hotel in Oban Bay, where we'll stay for the next two nights. Dinner is in a few minutes, and then an early bedtime as we'll be leaving here at 7AM for the Isles of Iona and Mull :)
Looking forward to seeing y'all when I return, and I promise to have more detailed stories and lots of pictures.
Under the mercy,
Elizabeth

Farewell...

...I call to hearth and hall, I must away at break of day.  Taken from Tolkien's brilliant song in The Hobbit, I believe, sung by the dwarves.  

Yes, I am now farewelling, and leaving home for Scotland, Isle of kilts and thistles, bagpipes and haggis.  Updates may be coming along with pictures, or they may all be given at the end of the trip; we shall see if laptop Chesterton voyages with me or not.  Until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of His hand.  Go under the mercy.