Scotland and Ireland Tour Travelogue Three
Dear Friends,
By Thursday morning, the cold, Highland rain had returned; but that would not deter the boys and young men of the Georgia Boy Choir. After a hearty breakfast, they ventured out to visit the Culloden Battlefield. The Battle of Culloden was among the most significant events in the storied history of Scotland. It was here that the Jacobite rebellion was quelled, thus securing the British monarch’s authority in the land. Upon their arrival, the boys were lined up and marched out on to the field of battle. From this perspective they could more easily comprehend the complexities and realities of the history of this location. They were fascinated by what they saw and learned. After their tour of the battlefield and the museum, they presented a brief concert in the facility’s education center. The audience seemed spellbound by the beauty and energy of the Choir’s singing.
Before heading back to their “home” in the Cairngorms, the boys made a stop at a local sheep farm where they were given a fascinating demonstration by the shepherd and his sheep dogs. They were truly awed by the remarkable abilities of these beautiful animals. The black and white Border Collies were extremely attentive to their shepherd’s every wish, which he expressed through both verbal and whistling commands. The boys even got to help shear one of the sheep. The shepherd then shared some good, old-fashioned, homegrown wisdom about life in general which he had learned through his many years of experience. The highlight of the day, though, and perhaps, for some, the entire trip, was when a litter of 5 ½ -week-old puppies was brought out for them to play with and hold. It was just what they needed to warm their hands and hearts on a cold, rainy day.
By Friday morning, the rain had departed but left a great deal of fog and mist – perfect conditions for monster hunting. So, the boys boarded a boat in Loch Ness in hope of finding the illusive leviathan purported to dwell within her murky waters. The vessel bore them down to the ruins of Urquhart Castle and back, but alas, there was no confirmed sighting of Nessie.
From there they traveled south, via the low road past the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, which were indeed remarkably lovely. As they passed through the phenomenally picturesque valley of Glen Coe, they were stunned by its beauty, and had to stop and get out of the bus to take some pictures.
By evening, they had arrived in the small port town of Stranraer on the coast of the Irish Sea. During their very elegant dinner, they were welcomed to the area by none other than the Lord Lieutenant of Wigtown, Dr. John A. Ross, CBE; Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth’s representative in the area. He let them know how very grateful he was that the Georgia Boy Choir would include Stranraer on their tour and that he was greatly looking forward to the next evening’s concert.
Saturday morning dawned clear and crisp, and the boys headed to the Laggan Outdoor Centre, home of one of Europe’s longest zip wires, for a day of fun. The crew at the Centre helped the boys get in to their harnesses and helmets, and loaded them a few at a time in to the back of an old Land Rover to make the trek to the launching point. The view from this vantage was remarkable. One could see out in to the Sea all the way to the Isle of Man. As they zipped nearly 40 mph down the half-mile wire the ground seemed to drop away from them. They soared over sheep and cattle grazing below, and finally over the rest of the Choir who were engaged in team-building exercises and riding grass sledges as they waited their turn. It was all tremendous fun.
But the Choir had not come simply to play games, so after a brief period of rest and some dinner back at their posh lodgings, they made their way to St. Ninian’s Church where they were to present a concert. They found some eager concertgoers already there in anticipation, and by the time 7:30 rolled around, the room was nearly full. For the next two hours, the 30 boys and young men from Georgia mesmerized and enthralled the audience with their singing. Many had tears in their eyes as they enthusiastically displayed their gratitude.
When the concert concluded, several proclaimed it to be the finest performance they had ever heard. The Lord Lieutenant told the boys that they were a credit to themselves and their families and asked them please to come again. It was a fitting end to their time in the magical land of Brigadoon.
Until next time,
The 2017 Georgia Boy Choir Scotland and Ireland Tour Team