Monday 18 November 2013

Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond

Hi everyone............................just a quick post to let you know I am back from the most fabulous week.... right on the Banks of Loch Lomond. We were so lucky with the weather as the temperatures were always in double figures and mainly dry with short sunny showers. On the one day that it did rain we had a pyjama day and read our books...then went for a meal in the evening..........delicious !!!

We were right on the edge of the loch and the scenery was breathtaking. I have always had a love affair with  Loch Lomond  and the beautiful song, though I  do prefer the more traditional version than  that of the band Runrig.  
Wilkipedia informs the composer of Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond is unknown and that 'there are many theories about the meaning of the song, most of which are connected to the Jacobite Uprising of 1745. One interpretation based on the lyrics is that the song is sung by the lover of a captured Jacobite rebel set to be executed in London following a show trial. The heads of the executed rebels were then set upon pikes and exhibited in all of the towns between London and Edinburgh in a procession along the "high road" (the most important road), while the relatives of the rebels walked back along the "low road" (the ordinary road travelled by peasants and commoners).[7]
Another interpretation of the 'Low Road' is that it refers to the traditional underground route taken by the 'fairies' or 'little people' who were reputed to transport the soul of a dead Scot who died in a foreign land - in this case, England - back to his homeland to rest in peace.[8][7]
The Hanoverian British victors were known to play cruel games on the captured Jacobites, and would supposedly find a pair of either brothers or friends and tell them one could live and the other would be executed, and it was up to the pair to decide. Thus the interpretation here is that the song is sung by the brother or friend who chose or was chosen to die. He is therefore telling his friend that they will both go back to Scotland, but he will go on the 'low road' or that of the dead, and be home first. Another supporting feature of this is that he states he will never meet his love again in the temporal world, on Loch Lomond. Some believe that this version is written entirely to a lover who lived near the loch'.


As you travel up towards Tarbet, at the top of the loch, the landscape changes and becomes very atmospheric. 



Sunrise
 Sunrise again
 Below you can just make out Ben Lomond  to the right of the tree
 Walking  by the Loch......................honestly Lynne...I am not singing :-)

Sky at dusk and as it was taken from inside you can also see a ghostly picture of me reflecting on the glass

A trip to Balmaha where we popped in to The Oak Tree Inn for yet another cream tea !! Their inglenook fire was just stunning and there were lots of vintage pieces everywhere you looked. Another room had china teacups hanging from every beam on the ceiling and  china saucers/plates  on the walls.............will certainly go back there.

 Feathered friends who visited twice daily for supper and breakfast..........!!! They also thoroughly enjoyed some bread from one of the finest hotels that just happened to slip in to my napkin when we were having dinner....oops !!!!


Take Care and Best Wishes xx
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14 comments:

  1. That looks like you had a most wonderful week, Annie!

    I once travelled Scotland and LOVED it! And reading a good book in bed is such a great thing to do! Well done ;)

    Hugs,
    Claudia x

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  2. Beautiful photos Annie and what a gorgeous place to spend a week, so restful. Glad you had a great time and a well deserved rest.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  3. Wow Annie. Superb pictures of the stunning Loch Lomond. It just shows that even in November it is really spectacular. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, as it gave you both time to relax. TFS. Hugs Mum xxxxxxx

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  4. Oh wow Annie, that truly does look like the trip of a lifetime! Stunning photos!!!! It looks wonderful and I will ask you for the address of the place, that looks like one fabulous place to stay! So glad you had such a good time!!!

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  5. thank you for sharing your beautiful holiday photos Annie, so pleased you had such a great time, x

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  6. Fabulous and inspirational pictures, loved to go there too.
    Thanks for sharing these pics with us;-))m

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  7. It is many years since I visited Loch Lomond but your photos bring back lovely memories. It is so beautiful and tranquil and you have captured it so well in your photos. So glad you had a lovely break away from it all. Hugs, Anne x

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  8. Nice views and for your great memories Annie :-)

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  9. Stunning pictures - thank you for sharing them with us! It is really interesting to read the history of the song too. I am glad you had such a wonderful time xx

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  10. It's amazing that so many of us don't appreciate the wonderful scenery right on our doorsteps. I am just 'down the road' in Glasgow & not visited for years.Your beautiful pictures have inspired me to visit soon.
    I also love to follow fellow Scots bloggers as mostly they are American or English, {they are great though!}.

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  11. Looks beautiful and sounds like you had lots of fun.

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  12. Great to read you again. Thanks for sharing the fotos.

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  13. Anonymous11/19/2013

    Are you sure you weren't singing LOL.
    It looks so tranquil, I am sure you managed to read quite a few books.
    Most beautiful scenary, little wonder we are so proud of this country we live in.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  14. WHOOT, WHOOT, your right perfect, perfect, perrrrrfect, :O), you do know I'm Scottish crazy, I loved it there but I was only there a wee while, we got there a night with the tour bus and left the next morning, only get to stand on the dock wave to Nessie and we were off again. Oh and thank you for the song, The tour guide played it on the bus, I'm listening to it right now by John Macdermott on YOU TUBE its WONDERFUL, it's in my favorites now, it's a terrible and beautiful story, I like the underground route with the fairies, that sound right. your photos are superb, you look beautiful in the gorgeous setting, your ghostly appearance means your spirit will always be there, this post has been a blessing to me I can't stop smiling and still listening to John, thanks Miss Annie....

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Thank you so much for taking time to visit my blog. I really do appreciate your comments and will always do my best to return them.

Annie x