Christmas in the Highlands
Christmas in the Highlands
The air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself at Cawdor, says Ella Windsor
Inverness in winter. Sugar-coated riverbanks, glittering with leaves. Inverness — home to the Loch Ness Monster and Cawdor, land of Macbeth.
I was staying with friends for a Christmas with a difference. It was a time for legends, sloe vodka and a toddler in a kilt, who I suspect is hardier than I am. Born on St George’s Day, I grew up horrified at the thought of the dragon and only got to sleep knowing its fate. The Loch Ness Monster, on the other hand, is still alive and zooms through the depths of Loch Ness. Yet children in Scotland don’t seem to loose sleep.
Columba, the holy man bringing Christianity to the Picts in the 6th century, never so much as prodded the ‘water beast’ but simply told it to flee so that his slave could swim across the loch and fetch a vessel. Both Columba and George were sanctified for their bravery, although of course, unlike St George’s dragon, the Loch Ness Monster is as revered in the Highlands as a troll is in Iceland. Every dweller on the banks of Loch Ness has seen it swimming in the water and some have been inspired to go in too. December seemed too chilly to me.
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Beverly A.
May 3rd, 2008 10:20pmWhat an excellent article with vivid descriptions and giving a reader the sense of being there to enjoy the history, the winter and the beauty. It was treat to read it this afternoon.
This is the first article by this young woman that I've read, but it won't be the last if I can find more online. Thank you to the talented author and to this website. A elder fan in the USA