A Highland Fling Fan's Guide To Scotland
A few people now have asked me for details about the locations described in my modern non-magic Wolfstar AU Highland Fling. I donāt think Iāve ever made an official post about this, but maybe itās time I did. Most of the places mentioned are real, and you can visit them, but a few are not where I said they were.
Edinburgh: Scotlandās capitol city. Sirius begins his journey here, flying into Edinburgh airport, and later picking James up from there. Edinburgh is a beautiful, historical city which I highly recommend visiting. I especially recommend the Museum of Scotland.
Pitlochry: This is the village I had in mind for the location of the majority of the story. It is about 70 miles northwest of Edinburgh, a walk which would have taken Sirius three or four days, depending on how much of a hurry he was in. Pitlochry sits on the southern edge of the Scottish Highlands, just south of the Cairngorm Mountains.
Pitlochry Hostel: Exist, more or less as and where described. I have stayed there.
Edradour Distillery: A couple miles east of Pitlochry, you can find Scotlandās smallest distillery, more or less as described in the text. I have walked there.
Dunino Den: I took some liberties with the geography of Scotland here. There are several such dens throughout Scotland, but the one I am familiar with, and the one on which the Den in this story is based is actually in Dunino, in the Kingdom of Fife, near Scotlandās east coast. This is the hardest location from the story to find, because it is tucked away in the woods, and not marked on any map that I am aware of. But it exists, more or less exactly as described. I have visited it many times.
Directions to Dunino Den from Dunino Kirk (from memory): Park in the kirk parking area, and follow the path between the two sections of the kirkyard into the trees. There is a well-trodden path leading more or less directly ahead down a slope from there. Eventually, you will reach a deep ravine with a stream running through it. On a rocky outcrop to your right, you will see a pool of water carved into the rock. This is where Remus dips his hands as part of his personal ritual for visiting the site. To the left of the pool is what looks like a deep crack in the rock, but if you look into it, you will find a set of carved stone steps leading down into the Den. Careful! They can be slippery. There is a carving of a Celtic knot in the rock face at the foot of the steps. The prayer tree is straight ahead, at the bend of the stream, recognisable by the many offerings tied to its branches. There are some other carvings in the Den that are not described in the story, but which you can find for yourself. People often leave coins and candles in crannies in the rock face.
The Cairngorms: A National Park and mountain range in central Scotland, just north of Pitlochry. I have honestly never visited, and am not actually sure how safe it is to go ranging about on your own here. To be safe, stick to the paths.
Inverness: The unofficial capitol of the Scottish Highlands. This is a small city, and although it is relatively old, very little of its early history is still standing. Still, it is a charming place to visit.
Inverness Hostel: Exist, more or less as and where described. I have stayed there.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery: Exists and is worth a visit. Home of the Ardross Wolf, a Pictish stone carving for which Wolf Stone Jewelers was named.
Clava Cairns: A prehistoric burial/ritual site, east of Inverness, containing several cairn tombs made of stacked stones, and stone circles. It smells strongly of sheep.
Culloden Battlefield: Site of the 1746 Battle of Culloden, where English forces decisively defeated the Scottish clans, leading to the final destruction of the clan system and the emigration of many Scots to the Americas. Culloden Moor is bleak and gloomy most days. This is a sad place to visit.
Moniack Highland Winery: The ancient seat of Clan Fraser in the town of Beauly, west of Inverness. The winery used to be open to the public, offering tours and tastings of its world-famous mead (which is some of the best mead I have ever tasted), but sadly I believe this is no longer the case.
The Great Glen, Loch Ness, and Drumnadrochit: Easy to find on any map of Scotland, though as far as I know there is no direct bus from Pitlochry to Fort William. Sirius walks along the Great Glen on the north shore of Loch Ness from Fort William at the southwest end to Drumnadrochit at the northeast end.
Drumnadrochit Kirk: I cannot recall the name or exact location of the kirk on the east side of the town, but like Sirius, I once camped in the woods next to it.
Dunino Wishing Stone: The stone in the Drumnadrochit kirkyard, onto which Sirius places a Connecticut quarter, is actually in the kirkyard at Dunino, in Fife, on the south side of the kirk. It is a rough looking stone, with a sundial on top, and usually a small pile of coins and other ritual offerings.
Places not based on a specific real-world location: Fionaās pub, Fionaās house, modern-looking Inverness pub, Inverness guest house, Lilyās flat, Inverness nightclub.
It is worth noting that Scotland has what is called a Ramblerās Rights law, which allows hiking and camping pretty much anywhere, as long as you are not damaging anyoneās property or getting in anyoneās way.
I think thatās everything. Enjoy your trip to Scotland!
