The Atholl Palace Hotel
We stayed in Pitlochry which is half way between Edinburgh and Inverness. We encountered a bit more snow on the drive but thankfully it wasn’t enough to make driving any more dangerous. As we drove up to The Atholl Palace Hotel, the hotel loomed high on a snow-covered hill and reminded us of “The Overlook Hotel” in The Shining.
The Atholl Palace Hotel entrance
Atholl Palace Hotel Hallway
Atholl Palace Hotel Lobby
It seemed more so once we checked in since the lobby is large with lots of seating near fireplaces. All along the walls are photos and memorabilia of the hotel ~ some as far back as it’s opening in the mid 1800s.
In the Basement Museum
Wine and Wifi next to the Fireplace on a snowy night
Lots of Period Furniture at The Atholl Palace Hotel
View from our room at Atholl Palace Hotel
Snowy Drive to Pitlochry
Room 108 at the Atholl Palace Hotel
I would definitely stay here again if I’m traveling through this area. The staff is very friendly and efficient and, since there’s only WiFi in the lobby areas, it has a great “get to know your fellow traveler” feel to it. In the morning, John overheard a conversation of a 91-year-old discussing WWII. It’s not everyday we still have an opportunity to get “first hand” stories from those days. Oh, and you can’t beat the Whiskey Welcome at the front desk. For more information about the hotel, click here.
In Flanders Field the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
by John McCrae, May 1915
Today is “Remembrance Day” in the UK and it commemorates the sacrifices of members of the armed forces. In the states, we call it Veterans Day. In November 1918, Moina Michael, an American, was inspired by the “In Flanders Field” poem to wear and distribute poppies in honor of fallen soldiers. During the month of November, poppies are worn by men and women throughout the UK. In Scotland, this weekend, we noticed the poppy was a little different (had four petals rather than two) but the sentiment was the same. I even saw a dog with a poppy on his collar. Internationally the poppy is becoming more popular but not so much in the US. I would love to see it make a comeback. The poppies are sold and the money raised is used for soldier projects.
We were at the Edinburgh Castle and participated in the two minutes of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, which is the anniversary of the ending of the First World War in 1918 between the Allies and Germany. It was very moving even if a few of the other tourists there didn’t realize the significance of the ceremony.
It started with a lone bag piper walking through the castle courtyard
Displaced Beachbums 