P2P Day 5: In Search of the Loch Ness Monster (and Other Things in Scotland)

Ohmigod! Is that her? Is that Nessie?

Today was the day they went looking for Nessie.
This is not a hard thing for a Santa Cruz girl to do.

We are always hippie and dippie and we trust in lots of things like the Universe, legalizing pot and respecting all sorts of lifestyles. Why looking for the Loch Ness Monster is just another day in paradise.

The kids stayed at the Youth Hostel in Inverness for another night and so I went on Google maps to get the lay of the land.

Lock Ness is just a jaunt down the road a bit and as I zoomed out, I noticed a rather interesting thing - clearly something most Californians would notice, or geologists - Loch Ness is sitting on a fault line (the red dot is the loch).

Sure looks like the San Andreas fault to me!

In fact, it sits on the Great Glen Fault, which is a strike-slip fault dividing the north and south of Scotland. Loch Ness is also near the Cairngorms National Park which is where you'll find Balmoral Castle (the place Queen Victoria described as her "dear paradise in the Highlands"). But the kids won't get to see that. They will be heading the other direction tomorrow - south to Glasgow on their way to Ireland.

The day included some other great things as well! I can't wait to hear stories about Scottish farming, sheepdogs, sheep shearing and the Highland Games!

They are still cut off from the Internet - I can't imagine the pain they must be in, poor sweeties.

From the People to People Itinerary

This morning we go hunting for Nessie! The worldwide fame of Loch Ness owes more to the legend of its famous occupant, the Loch Ness Monster - or 'Nessie' - than the breathtaking location of the loch itself. You will learn about the research undertaken in the past by explorers seeking the monster.

Spend the afternoon with a visit a traditional Scottish farm and learn about the training for sheepdogs as you observe them performing under full control of their handler in the beautiful surroundings of the Scottish highlands. 

As part of the sheepdog demonstrations, you will also get to see first-hand sheep shearing (watch because you can't understand a word he says), try bottle-feeding orphan lambs and watch the collie dog pups herd ducks (watch) instead of sheep as part of their training.

Take part in Highland Games with a Highland Chieftain and a prize for the winning team! You'll also be visiting a working farm, a traditional sweet shop and encountering life in a 1700s Highland township at the Highland Folk Museum (and look at these images, I couldn't decide on just one!)

Loch Ness

P2P Day 4: Inverness, Rafting, JK Rowling Stalking and Some Scottish Culture

Not sure if they did this or not!  

Quiet day. No word from the kid or posts from the delegation leaders. 

But I kind of expected that. 

They were supposed to do a little river rafting today and then some very cool cultural activities tonight. Katie has always enjoyed the culture nights because the kids get silly and try new things. I'll update with photos if they come through. 

They are staying at the Youth Hostel in Inverness - the photos of the hostel on the site make it look very quaint and simple. I wonder if they are learning about the culture at the hostel or somewhere else along the way. 

JK Rowling's Cottage

From the People to People Itinerary

Starting from the old market town of Aberfeldy, practice newly learnt rafting skills on the River Tay [think they got to do this?] as it winds through rolling hills and stunning scenery, before the river drops away and creates the more challenging rapids that flow down to Grandtully.

If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the home to famed author J.K. Rowling, located near the banks of the River Tay.

This evening has been arranged just for Student Ambassadors. You will participate in a living history demonstration from an ancient highlander! You will learn the traditions of Scotland in a way that brings to life your school books. Weapons, kilts and clans!

Can you hear them coming?

Inverness, Scotland