Author: OpenThinker

Highland Pony Trekking in Scotland

OpenThinker

If you are thinking about what to do in Scotland or not sure how to really SEE  the Highlands, …Go Highland Pony trekking! They call it “trekking,” there. To those of us on this side of the Atlantic, you might think of the style of riding as “English,” but … it’s like English as in the saddle, but remember you are in Scotland. They may have voted to stay in the UK, but make no mistake… they are Scottish!

Note: All images are owned by Open Thinker and may be used with permission.

I wanted to do something that allowed me to really see the Highlands, and since I love horses, I did a search online for riding in the highlands. I learned that it is commonly called pony trekking. Highland Ponies are not a simply a pony that lives in the Highlands, it’s a breed. They are well suited for their environment. They are strong and sturdy, comparable to a Morgan, reaching somewhere between 13 1/2 to 14 hands in height. A pure bread is a solid color, and the temperment is very even.  Here is a link if you’d like to learn more about Highland Ponies, http://www.highlandponysociety.com/breeders/general-information.html.

Our son rode a mixed breed highland pony, which was ideal for him, because the pony was probably a little over 14 hands and our son is just about 6 foot 4 inches. He would be at an intermediate level. My husband and I grew up with horses. Growing up, I participated in 4-H and participated in the equine training. Horses are the most amazing animals, and Highland Ponies are well suited for riders of differing abilities.

I found Highland Pony Trekking online, http://www.highlandponytrekking.com/. Highland Pony Trekking is outside of Cougie. Since Cougie isn’t really a metropolis, Highland Pony Trekking also borders the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve.  We spent close to four hours riding in the Highlands. The beauty doesn’t truly translate into words. Photos capture a bit, but they cannot capture the sounds, the scents or the depth of beauty.

A word to Americans, the road was an adventure in itself for me…. Be prepared to drive on  a narrower than average two lane road, that becomes a one lane road with areas to allow people to pass. Then,the one lane road becomes a one lane gravel road, then the one way gravel road becomes a more narrow gravel road. When you see a pond with flags, you are at Highland Pony Trekking. It’s a good thing, too, because the road ends there. The roads may be a bit intimidating to those not accustomed, but do not let it dissuade you! Also, drivers in Scotland are much more courteous than many US drivers!

Let Ian know that you saw the post from Openthinker.com . I have no affiliation to Highland Pony Trekking, and do not receive any money for my post. I just want anyone that is interested to know a little about Highland Pony trekking. Whether you venture out with Ian, or someone else, Cheers and happy trails!!

Spirits of Culloden

OpenThinker

“It’s a field,” voiced our son with a look of dismay.  “Yes, but it is a field that ended a way of life.”  I said.  He still looked  a bit put off about to walk along a field on the only day that was raining since we arrived in Scotland. For me, it seemed appropriate.

Stone marking the mass graves of Clan Fraser, Culloden Battlefield, Scotland
Clan Fraser Marker, Culloden Battlefield, Scotland

The mounds of shared graves of the buried of those that will lie forever at Culloden; Rest in Peace those from Clan Mackintosh, Clan Fraser, Clan Drummond, Clan MacGregor, Clan Gordon, Clan Grant, many different clans of McDonald, and many more.

Forget not, the people of the town of Culloden that were forced to bury all the dead.

I am nameless now, and I will die here,
Buried beside my son, beneath the bloody turf
With no lament or a prayer
To mark our passing.

Mixed-Clans-smaller
Mixed Clans Markers at Culloden

Now we charge, the last attack
Glorious and futile, musketry rattles
And the grape-shot scythes through our ranks
Rupturing flesh and bone.
See the scarlet coats advance,
Hurrahing, their bayonets glinting,
Moving towards us through the sulphurous smoke.
As I cradle your body, lifeless and broken
It’s your mother that I see before me
And our house, thatch and stone and earth
And the rich dark peat we cut, together.

Well of the Dead-MacGilliivrays Clan Chief
The MacGillivrays Chief comforted a young clansmen as they both lay dying.

Soon, we both, once again
Shall see our home,
And the tall pines, by the water,
Then the pain will be gone and we shall laugh
As we lie in the heather on Benmore.
Mo ghaol agad a’Chaluim, mo fheoil, mo fhuil, mo h’anam.*
I whispered that, for you, as we stood in the terrible rain.
I shall cover you with my plaid, as if you were sleeping, child,
And this day shall pass into night.

 Excerpt from A Father’s Farewell~Bill Martin

Culloden Moor Markers

Going through the museum, you will find information and artifacts, but on the field, if you are quiet, you will feel a heaviness, and an overwhelming heartache. I do not have a fear of ghosts, but I would cannot fathom ever spending a night on the field of Culloden. For whatever reason, I get the distinct feeling that lost souls attempt nightly to charge the British frontlines, and trying with all the drive of highlanders holding fast to their way of life to change the outcome.

I recommend getting the audio that goes along with both the museum and the battlefield, there are stories from survivors. The “why didn’t they,” and “what if they,” will definitely run through your mind. Yet, another example of  good soldiers following a poor leader with a heart breaking outcome.

If you visit, take a few moments and watch the video: Go into the video room, wait and the battle will surround you. At first, my husband and son thought the museum had twisted humor and had made a video of the field. Wait for the battle to begin., not ideal for children under 4.

Poem can be found at:

Welcome to Open Thinker-Professional Side!

OpenThinker

PamA “little” about me, I have been an Instructional Designer for 9 years now. Funny thing is that when I started working as an instructional designer and people would ask me what I did for a living, and I said, “I’m an instructional designer,” and they looked at me with confusion, and 8 years later that hasn’t really changed. I usually then go on to say, I used to teach Social Studies and Language Arts. That was an easy job to tell people, everyone has a conceptual idea of what a teacher is.

I go on to tell them that while working at a Catholic School, I had a very low budget and some older textbooks, so I started using technology resources and found invaluable resources that I started using. One thing led to another, and I earned a master’s degree.  I have worked as an ID for non-profit, profit, higher ed., publishers and K-12 demographics.

The title instructional designer has so many variations that I just sum it up with, “I work in a team environment to develop create blended and online learning opportunities,”  but that is a generic summary of what an ID does. The response is usually “Oh, that sounds so interesting.” and it is, but every place I have worked uses instructional design in a different way, some are similar, but no two are ever the same. Sometimes instructional design is very systematic because the goal is to make sure each learner is able to reach the learning goals, sometimes being an ID demands creativity, thinking of ways to bring learning content to life. One day I am writing curriculum, the next day aligning standards to that curriculum, the following day I may be mocking up interactive learning game ideas. It’s all part of being an ID.

My husband is always happy to tell people that if I could, I would be in college the rest of my life. That’s not quite true, but being an Instructional Designer is best for those that see themselves as lifelong learners. I think of it as Alzheimer’s prevention, since I am always learning something new.