Killiecrankie

Wednesday the 9th we got a very late start (1 PM) due to various chores, blog posting blog, etc. We got as far as the Asda in Perth, our first stop at the UK branch of Walmart. Interesting they don't call themselves Walmart. Then, crossing the majestic Tay, we drove back up toward the Highlands, getting a few high speed pix as we passed through Birnam Wood (Forest), which seemed stationary enough, and stopped at Killiecrankie, the site of the 1689 battle between the first-generation Jacobites and government forces led by Vicki's (very distant) cousin, General Hugh MacKay, of Scourie. MacKay lost the battle, but his counterpart, the Viscount of Dundee, was killed, and, leaderless, the rebel forces were crushed soon thereafter. At least for that century. It was the Redcoats' first taste of the Highland Charge, something they never learned to handle until Culloden. The Killiecrankie visitor center features the (government) soldier's leap, 18.8 feet across the River Garry, which we hiked down to. We camped at the Killiecrankie visitor center car park, on the A9.

Birnam Wood

Asda (Walmart) in Perth

Coolest Mini T-shirt of All Time, found at

the Asda

Killiecrankie, a narrow defile of the River Garry

General Hugh Mackay, leader of the Government forces

Soldier's Leap (to escape the bloodthirsty Highlanders)