Walking the graves of Ancestors -- Wednesday June 26, 2013

 Since we are spending less time in the Edinburgh area then I had originally planned, our goal today is to head to the Scottish Highlands a little early.  Our reservation in Newtonmore wasn't until tomorrow, but they have room, so we can get in early.

First, however, we have to take a detour to the west coast.  My research into the Osborne's had indicated that they lived in Kilmarnock and at least one 3rd great grandmother was buried in Irvine.

During the winter I had been communicating with other genealogists on line and telling them about the upcoming trip.  One of them who grew up in the area of Scotland actually made both Kilmarnock and Irvine sound grimy and not a nice place.  We didn't find that at all!  Kilmarnock was actually a bustling town.  It almost reminded us of a Framingham area.  I had an address in Kilmarnock where the Osborne's actually lived in 1861--20 Princes Street.   However, that street is not there any more.  It's a public parking lot now!  But the rest of the town was pretty nice.

Irvine Old Parish

We moved on to find the Irvine Old Parish in the town of Irvine about 10 miles away.  Not sure how or why she would have been buried here, but that's a mystery to be solved another day.

There was no one around mid week to help with identifying if Isabella McEwen Osborne's grave is actually here.  I think I will do that research by e-mail.  But the cemetery was filled with really, really old head stones.  Many from 300 years ago, and lots from the 1800's so it's possible.

It was sad, though, that so many beautiful headstones were tipped over and in disrepair.

Once we left the cemetery, we headed to our next area of Scotland....the Scottish Highlands.  I had booked a bed & breakfast in Newtonmore.  It took us an additional four hours to reach there, but the ride was beautiful. 

Our room at Eagle View

The name of the B & B was Eagle View Guest House.  Not sure I saw any views of eagles (very foggy and overcast) but the place itself was beautiful!  Nice room with lots of personal touches throughout.  It also had a very comfy guest lounge to sit in, which we like.


We have this room for four 4 nights--and there are lots of hiking opportunities for Ed.

We had dinner at a local chef owned restaurant called The Letterbox.  Another diamond in the ruff kind of place.  It was a fairly pricey restaurant so we went in for the 'Early Bird' time (we are old folk after all!).  We were the only ones there the whole night!  Couldn't believe it!  Dinner was delicious!  The waitress said they have been really busy lately so they were glad for the lull!  It's a completely non-discript storefront, so let that be a reminder to you not to 'judge a book by its cover'!



Ruins of Castle Roy

After dinner we road around the area and came across the ruins of Castle Roy. Castle Roy is one of the simplest, and possibly the oldest, thirteenth-century fortresses in Scotland. It is said to have been a stronghold of the Comyns, but nothing authentic is known of its history.

It is situated on the edge of Nethy Bridge next to the Old Kirk, it stands elevated above the general valley of the Spey.  It consists of the usual high enclosing wall, which crowns a rocky site, raised some 10 to 15 feet above the level of the surrounding fields.


  The nature of the site has probably rendered a ditch unnecessary, as there is no appearance of there ever having been one. The walls are 7 feet thick, built with strong rubble-work, and are still from 20 to 25 feet high.    So it's beautiful scenery, great hiking trails and comfortable surroundings.  Looks like a great place to settle in the Scottish Highlands!.