Rogan O’Herlihy led our Scotland hiking tour from May 18-26. Rogan is a UK native, so when he guides tours for us in Scotland and England his enthusiasm is almost impossible to contain. Imagine Clark Kent entering a phone booth and exiting as Superman. It’s just like that.
Rogan loves guiding in the spring because the foliage is so vibrant. He often encourages our guests to get matchy-matchy with the local wildflowers. It doesn’t always work, but on this day it did.
It’s no secret that it rains in Scotland. BUT, it’s because of the rain that the forests are so lush and beautiful.
And in the middle of every forest lies an undiscovered treasure. One of the benefits of hiring a guide like Rogan is that he’ll take you to hidden corners that you probably wouldn’t have noticed had you ventured on your own. Take these ruins for example. This particular castle was built in the 1600’s. Rob Roy MacGregor, the namesake of our hiking tour, stayed in this castle during the year 1713. There’s a stone-lined pit out back where it’s rumored that prisoners of noble blood were beheaded. Commoners were also supposedly hung in an oak tree nearby. The ruins are highly unstable, so it’s best to grab a photo or two at arm’s length and then trust your guide to lead you to yet more treasures along the trail.
This area is really special because it’s the start of the true Scottish Highlands.
Of course, the sheer beauty of Scotland is the greatest treasure of them all. And coupled with a cozy pub and some rousing conversation with Rogan…it’s heaven.
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