My Top 10 Experiences: Wildlife, History, Art, Outlander, and Scenery
IRAQ
Lalish, Yazidi Temple in Kurdistan, Iraq
Lalish is the main temple and holiest site of the Yazidi faith, an ancient religion with an estimated 700,000 followers worldwide. A tiny mountain hamlet of just 25 residents surrounds this ancient site in Iraqi Kurdistan. The temple is easily recognizable by its conical spires, whose straight ridges join from top to bottom above a circular base representing the earth. Exploring this solemn temple was quite an experience for me, especially to learn about the Yazidi faith and see why this place holds so much significance to them.
Rabban Hormizd Monastery, Alqosh, Iraq
Founded around 640 AD by the monk Rabban Hormizd, this monastery is carved into the side of a mountain in Iraqi Kurdistan. Caves dot the mountainside around the main monastery, carved into the rock where monks spent a monastic hermit life. When you stand inside the stone chapel, it’s quite easy to imagine the centuries of monks that have graced its floor, with prayers and modal chants softly echoing in the arched ceiling. It was amazing to see how this place was hewn from the rock. But my favorite moment was when our small group was in one of the chapels, where we sang the Doxology—its beautiful words echoing off the stone as birds chirped outside.
LONDON
Frameless: This immersive art experience puts you inside more than 40 famous masterpieces using floor-to-ceiling projection, cinematic animation, and an original score across multiple galleries. I’m not really an art enthusiast, but this experience was entirely unique and wonderful.
SCOTLAND
Highland Coo Experience: On our latest trip to Scotland, we wanted what most tourists seek: the Highland coo experience. It generally is a touristy move, but this particular one through Loch Ness Hub & Travel was entirely worth it. You visit a croft overlooking Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, learn about crofting life, and hand feed the coos. This farm has been run by the same family for eight generations. It doesn’t feel like a touristy commercial experience, rather, it comes off as authentic and memorable.
Midhope Castle: Ah yes, the instantly-recognizable castle where all Outlander fans must pilgrimage. Thankfully, we went when it opened first thing in the morning, so only a handful of us were walking the grounds. You can walk through the famous arched gate and see the exterior of the house from the courtyard where several scenes were filmed. We then explored the path through the woods and along the river where other Outlander scenes occurred. As an Outlander enthusiast, it had to make my top 10 list.
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Drummond Castle Gardens: Even if you haven’t seen Outlander, Drummond Castle Gardens is a beautiful and peaceful experience. For those who have seen the show, you might recognize this impressive formal garden from the Versailles garden scenes in Season 2. It’s a wonderful place to wander, whether through the greenhouses, along the crushed stone paths, or taking a seat on a stone bench and enjoying the fresh air.
Dolphin Spirit Inverness: This was one of the highlights for us when we were in Inverness. We did the Mischief Wildlife Experience, which is a 2-hour trip through the Moray Firth in a high-speed RIB searching for dolphins, seals, and porpoises. It goes past Fort George and through Chanonry Point, a world-famous place for dolphin spotting. The staff and guide were incredibly knowledgeable and wonderful to talk with.
Sligichan Waterfalls: I particularly enjoyed the Sligachan Waterfalls on the Isle of Skye. We arrived mid-morning and there were only two other couples along the short trail from the road. It was just a peaceful and beautiful spot to explore, and was actually a better experience for me than the Fairy Pools. Sligachan Waterfall also offers stunning views of the nearby Cuillin Mountains.
Glen Etive: This spot in the Glen Coe area is perhaps my favorite, and one of the very few places I’ve been where I could sit there all day and just soak in the sight. We stopped on the road above Lochan Urr, allowing us to enjoy this gorgeous valley where the sky meets surrounding peaks, reflected on the surface of the water. Definitely worth the drive down the single-track road.
Elite Falconry: I’d never tried falconry before, and Elite Falconry in Fife, Scotland, was an excellent place to do just that. They have hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures, and owls that you can interact with in a variety of available sessions. I tried the one-hour falconry experience that started with handling an owl; later on, we worked with a Harris Hawk. The handler was very knowledgeable about the raptors and the whole hour was an immersive experience in the ancient art of falconry. Definitely a more unique activity that’s not on the typical tourist’s itinerary.
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