Scotland, Family and more

This will/may be a long post since I was not able to get good internet access in Scotland and access here in Devon is not a whole lot better so... there may not be pictures for this yet. On our way from Oxford to Scotland we stopped in Ashbourne to visit the George and Dragon for lunch. This was the town that Thomas Sowter came from and were his father, Charles was the Master of the Friendly Society here. We drove into town, not having any real idea where the Inn was located. Parked in the Market Square and turned around to look - there it was! Yet again things have fallen into place. We had a delicious lunch and then drove north toward Bathgate Scotland. We arrived to the Bankhead Farm B&B and praised Beth up and down as she had selected the location - beautiful, spacious home to share with views of the fields towards Slamannan. Couldn't have asked for more - beautiful weather too. We took a day trip on the train to Edninburgh and saw the castle and the High Street and the Fringe Festival with lots of young and not so young people trying to make it big. The mixture of grease paint, crazy costumes, passion, persperation and tourists made for an interesting walk down a very crowded street.
(photo is from Ediburgh Castle looking toward the Firth of Forth)

The next day found us following Jeff's plans and we were off across the Firth of Forth and around the coast to St. Andrews. We found the town to be very beautiful with an ancient Abby ruins by the sea. A walk further along the coast brought us to the golf course where Jeff, Beth and Paul all played 18 holes and were only 2 over par! Pretty amazing even if it was on the Ladies Putting Club course - it was right next to the pro course so the conditions were the same with the wind off the North Sea... they did have 18 holes.... they did get to use a putter for every shot they were so good... I think they have bragging rights. From there we drove to Aberfeldy where they distill Dewars Scotch Whisky. It was interesting and the plant smelled delicious - I can't say that I liked the taste of much of the Scotch but there is time to aquire it. From there we drove toward Loch Tay but had to stop at Moragcraig to see the stone circle. To all those who have read Outlander, Dorothy and I are still here without meeting Jamie or Claire. From there we drove through the hills of heather dotted with sheep with brilliant blue skies above. The camera clicked as quick as it could as we went at what felt like breakneck speed down very narrow roads - the size of the car - small + the size of the road - small = accelerated perceptions. Needless to say I got a lot of blurry bushes but a few nice photos too.

The next day (don't ask me the day of the week, I am on holiday) Dorothy and I took an early train to Edinburgh to spend the day doing genealogical research at the registry office. There was a 2-hour free session which we maxed out - found birth records (some revealing interesting facts about the ligitimacy of some members) a will and several other documents that will help in our piecing together from whence we come. The afternoon found me getting my library card to the National Library of Scotland! It is good for three years and I am sure I will be using it. In the library we were able to find maps of the area from the 1850's that had the various familiy farms listed on it. None of the farms is currently in use so this documentation was so cool to find. The rest of the gang followed us to the city and climed a huge hill to overlook the city and I will enjoy looking at the pictures Larry took.

The next day (I think it was Friday) Dorothy and I drove to the farms that we found on the map - I drove very slow and still the right hand side of the road (mostly bushes) kept jumping out and making Dorothy very nervous. Our destination was Slamannan where our Wood family ancestors came from - mothers, mothers, mothers side - On the way into town Dorothy spotted the Church of Scotland so a quick turn found us face to face with a cemetary - because of our research the day before we were able to identify the first grave stone we looked at as a William Woods. We learned his wife's name and that was our clue. It was a rather impressive monument and it did say he was of Moss Castle. For a while in our reading we had heard of Moss Castle but I figured things can get exagerated when one immigrates - that little moss covered croft becomes Moss Castle. So - it was real and now we were on to check out where and what Moss Castle was. A trip to the local Cafe (the only cafe) and we were sharing stories with the two women there and were directed to the local garage to speak to John Robertson who "knows all there is to know about Slamannan." Well he knew where Moss Castle Road was but had never heard of an actual castle so.... perhaps it was the house name. Worth a drive down the road and there was indeed a house called Moss Castle House - we will write them and see what we can learn. The afternoon was spent hiking in Beecraig County park and making another delicious dinner - we cooked at home each night and really had some great meals.

Saturday found us driving south - way south to Sidmouth - traffic and rain so a bit slower ride but here safe and sound nevertheless. Sidmouth, finally! Of course Dorothy and I had to walk to find Greengarth - our great grandfather Eustace's house. Found and decision to knock on the door the next day made. A few pints at the local establishments to support the economy and off to sleep.

Sunday was bright and beautiful early so I was up and walked along the Front (the sidewalk along the sea in the center of town) and up the western hill. It was beautiful and hopefully I will be able to upload the amazing photos I took. That was our only sun for the day but a little rain would not dampen our spirits. Dorothy, Larry and I went to All Saints Church where Eustace taught Sunday School in the 40's and 50's. We were warmly greeted and announced at the beginning of the service as the guest who had come the furthest. It was a very upbeat and relaxed service in a newly refirbished sanctuary. Over coffee we met Jillian, the self declared local chatterbox and therefore my kind of woman. We talked for a bit and when we mentioned the name of the house she about jumped out of her skin. Directly behind us was the current owner! Introductions made, exclamations about God's goodness declared and.... invitation to tea extended. Unbelievable! Their grandaughter was with them and was 8 years old, the same age that our father was when he came to Greengarth to be with his grandparents - amazingly enough stoires matched - she gets up early and climbs into her grandparents bed just like our father did! There is something about the house that even writing this makes get goosebumps.

Since tea wasn't until 3 there was no need to sit idle by and wait - not when the coastal walking path is so close - the map may say that two locations are X miles apart but I don't think they calculated for the ups and downs. It was a bit much for me and I doubt any climbs are in my plans for the day - quiet turn about the town and cream tea and a sit by the sea sounds blissful to my very tired body right now. We walked up and down and through the cows all the while the rain came and went and came and went and poured and well - dry was not in the day's vocabulary. Jeff and Beth continued on but Larry, Dorothy and I walked to Salcombe Regis, the village where Eustace was also a longstanding teacher - as we approached the church we saw the sign that made our day - Tea in the Garden. Because of the rain, tea was in the sanctuary but a warm cuppa and a piece of cake was just the sanctuary we needed at the moment. Fortified in good English fashion we walked to Greengarth down a 16% grade hill that Eustace would walk daily into his later years - a better man than me. We had a lovely time with Barry and Chris and we were very much aware of the presence of God in the place and relationship. Chris knows some of the elderly people in town who remember coming to the house for Sunday School and she will endeavor to help us get connected. So..... what a trip!