My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart’s in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer;
Chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go.
Robert Burns wrote that song back in 1789, and now that I’ve been to the Highlands, I understand what he meant. Not that I’m interested in chasing the deer, but I left a piece of my heart in the Highlands last July. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Robert Burns is Scotland’s national poet, best known for writing Auld Lang Syne, sung around the world every New Year’s Eve. Burns was born on Jan. 25, 1759 and Scots will be celebrating his birthday this week with Burns Day Dinners and appropriate toasts accompanied by Scotch whisky.
Our day in the Highlands was one of my favorite port stops on the cruise of the British Isles. We docked at Invergordon, not far from Inverness, capital of the Highlands. This photo was taken from our cabin’s balcony as we neared port. The oil storage tanks aren’t very scenic, but North Sea oil has been very important to Scotland and the United Kingdom.
After visiting the battlefield at Culloden Moor, we had lunch and drove towards Loch Ness, passing through Inverness.
Inverness Castle
Since we didn’t stop in Inverness, I’m supplementing my photos with this one from Deposit Photos, which shows just how pretty this small city is.
Scotland – Inverness
I snapped this photo from the bus. What a lovely place to live.
We didn’t see any deer, but we did see lots of sheep. Again, this image is from Deposit Photos.
Glen Shee, Highlands, Scotland
When the time came to leave Invergordon, a local band piped us on our way. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.
What’s your favorite place on earth? Where have you left a piece of your heart?
I love inverness. It’s a beautiful city. I was lucky enough to spend some time there on my last trip to Scotland.
Inverness really is beautiful. I can’t wait to go back to Scotland and see more of the Highlands. And the Lowlands, for that matter.