Destination: Moray
The place that I am most anticipating enjoying is the Moray destination. Right now I am reading Malcolm and the Marquis of Lossie along with George MacDonald, Cullen, and Malcolm. This awesome little book by Michael and Judy Phillips is dedicated:
In Memory of George MacDonald (1824-1905) Huntly native, best-selling author, one of Scotland’s 19th century spiritual bards, and lifelong lover of Cullen.
I’m looking forward to going on the walks that are in the back of the book. The walks that take you to all of the places that you read about in the George MacDonald books. It also has the out and back walk to the bench in Michael Phillip’s book Angel Harp. There are fabulous maps and notes for each of the walks. My copy looks like it has been through the wars! (It did have a tea mishap.) However, after a 5 year wait, this well-loved, marked up, and dear friend of a copy will be going with me on my Scotland adventure!
The majority of the 2020 Scotland trip-that didn’t happen-was going to be in and around Cullen. We had our reading list of George MacDonald and Michael Phillips books. It was going to be an epic bookish adventure! I have a long list of things that I wanted to see and do in 2020.
The Cullen 2020 Wish List
No passport needed, just click on the links below to be an armchair traveler!
The George MacDonald, Cullen, and Malcolm walks
Coffee at the Kings / walk the beach
Brodie Castle
Cullen Kirk & House
Temple of Pomona
Bow Fiddle Rock
Cullen Sea School
Ice Cream Shop-touted as the world’s best ice cream!
Garden House Trading
That looks like a pretty substantial list, right? But it hasn’t stopped me from finding more things to add. On one of my excursions down the Google Rabbit Hole, I discovered the Covesea Lighthouse and Twenty Nineteen Coffee. You can get a 10% discount on a lighthouse tour at the coffee shop.
Is It Possible to See It All?
I asked a friend who goes to Cullen every year if she has come close to doing and seeing everything that is close to Cullen. She told me, “Not at all.” I’m looking forward to seeing some of the sights, walking on the beach, eating ‘World Famous’ ice cream and Cullen Skink. And I am eagerly anticipating actually being right there, with the characters in my favorite books. The next time I read these books, I won’t just be seeing with my imagination, but with my own memories. I am feeling very blessed.
Do you have some place that you have dreamed of seeing in person while reading a George MacDonald or Michael Phillips book? I am looking for that magical moment on the bench with the gull. Everyone who has read Angel Harp will know what I am talking about! Share your dream in the comments. Who knows? I just might be able to get a picture for you or it might be the momentum needed to send you on your own pilgrimage!
All of the images came from Pixabay. A special thanks to photographers: Sea-Rick_008 for Bow Fiddle Scotland, misterfarmer for Scotland Ruin Elgin, Efraimstochter for Brodie Castle, Elgin Cathedral, and Lighthouse Lossiemouth Scotland.
