Continued retelling of our July 2015 trip aboard the barge, Scottish Highlander, and our passage down the Caledonian Canal in the Scotland Highlands.
History lessons from a passionate and informed guide will always make the past come alive. And Scotland came alive for us. From the battlefield of Culloden to the massacre at Glencoe, we experienced the Scottish Highlands via Paul Martin. Being from Wales, Paul has a lot of sympathy/empathy for the people of Scotland at the hands of the English. And, I am sorry, but why are the Royals/Aristocrats still major landowners in Scotland? Time to break free Scotland! Hope the vote for independence succeeds in the future.
In addition to the lessons, Paul made arrangements for various cultural “events”. In Inverness, a trio singing and playing traditional instruments with song arrangements given a modern twist. Another included our barge approaching a remote location along the Caledonian Canal, and encountering an elderly Highlander dressed in his clan kilt, marching slowly while playing his bagpipe. The music was haunting as it echoed off the valley hills. Well done, Paul! Well done!
Paul also provides his services on the French canal trip for European Waterways. He fell in love with the French countryside so much that he and his wife purchased an old farmhouse, barn and surrounding acreage for their retirement. And he is a talented artist (30 years of painting and quite well known in the UK). The barn in France will become his studio with plenty of space for workshops. His plans include building small cabins for visiting artists to rent whilst (he says that a lot) attending his workshops. Guess who is invited and going in a few years?! Moi! et Madame Wanda.
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