We didn’t intend to take a visit to the Isle of Seil and, to be honest, I didn’t know it existed. It was the petrol station man (who I nicknamed Jim Broadbent as he looked SO much like him) that told us to nip over to it. He became our unofficial trip advisor as his station and little spar shop was right next to our lodge so we would regularly pop in for breakfast food or things for dinner.
He told us of how the Isle of Siel had one of the only bridges in Scotland that went over the Atlantic Ocean; the other one going over from mainland to the Isle of Skye. So we took a drive to see Clachan bridge and I think I was expecting to see a lot of water…Ocean like water. It wasn’t anything like I expected though and was more a big river running underneath, and actually probably not the Atlantic Ocean. Still very beautiful and is also known as the Atlantic bridge.
It’s a tiny little place but worth seeing if you’re nearby. A little very old inn close by caught my eye and found that it was used by the islanders during the Jacobite rising and learnt a bit about the kilt ban during the 1700s. It must have been a horrible time for those wanting but unable to wear their much loved tartan whenever they wanted. This tiny little place was probably a very happy little service stop for Scots travelling back from across the border.
The “Dress Act of 1746” made it unlawful to wear tartan or the kilt until 1792 when it was repealed. The kilt was originally only commonly worn by highlanders but once the dress act was repealed, became highly popular and different groups started adopting it across the whole of Scotland.
And that is how the kilt became Scotlands national dress.
Wow that sounds like a fascinating place to visit, I love the idea of people changing back into their kilts, how funny? It looked and sounds like you had an amazing trip.
Nikki Thomas recently posted…Collecting Moments – March
I love traditional stories like these. So interesting. Glad you’ve enjoyed your Scottish trip. How did the boys cope with all the driving round?
Emma T recently posted…Lambourn open day – meet the horses family fun
Beautiful and a great tale too #MySundayPhoto
Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays recently posted…CULTURAL DUCKS
What a fantastic bit of history….It sounds like a very interesting trip x
Kim Carberry recently posted…Spinning. #MySundayPhoto
Such a delightful old bridge with quite a tale to the area.
Fiona Cambouropoulos recently posted…Friday is our little Hero
The bridge photo looks so magical, which coincides with the story. It’s great to hear local stories like that!
#Sundayphoto
We spent a week at the other end of Seil last year, the scenery is amazing up there and how lovely to have found a local tourist guide. Have to say the road on Seil Isle itself was not the nicest and would hated to have driven it in the winter. Love how the wee place sells postcards etc and has an honesty box to pay for them.
Getting back over the bridge is a bit heart stopping I thought as it is a VERY steep angle, but then never built for cars.
Elaine Livingstone recently posted…Project 365 week 16
It looks and sounds like a wonderful place to visit. I’ve never heard of Isle of Seil before
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darren coleshill recently posted…#MySundayPhoto – Prettiness
How interesting! Lovely to pick up these little bits of local history while you’re on your travels. I certainly didn’t know that about the kilts!
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted…Silent Sunday 23.4.17
Well Jim sounds extremely handy to know! And fascinating about the kilt. #365
Fee recently posted…Project 365 – Week 16
That is such a cool bridge, reminds me of something that a troll would live on 🙂 #MySundayPhoto
That sounds like a fascinating place to visit. It would remind me of Achill Island in the West of Ireland which lies on the edge of the Atlantic and is connected to the mainland by one bridge. Beautiful photo you’ve captured. #mysundayphoto
Cath – BattleMum recently posted…17/52 My Sunday Photo: 23/04/2017
Fantastic piece of history – and it looks like such a beautiful place too x
Verily Victoria Vocalises recently posted…Ross in Action at the Yeovil Beer Festival
What a fascinating place to visit. I never knew that there was a time when the kilt was banned. So interesting to read some of the history surrounding the Isle of Seil. So lovely when you visit somewhere unexpectedly like this and it turns out to be so interesting 🙂
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted…My Sunday Photo 23/04/17
What a little gem, love the shape of the bridge, beautiful #365
Mary @ Over 40 and a Mum to One recently posted…Project 365 2017 Week 16
I’d heard about the trousers pub before, but I’d love to go there and explore. That bridge is so gorgeous.
Erica Price recently posted…2017: Weeks 15 and 16
What a fascinating little place! I love stumbling across unexpected gems like the Isle of Seil while out and about with the family. It always adds a sense of unknown and adventure. Stunning picture of the bridge, whether it spans the Atlantic or not!
#MySundayPhoto
What an interesting place to visit, I haven’t been here for a long time. I do love the idea of people changing kilts. Hilarious. xxx t
SOunds like a really interesting place to visit.
It’s surprising what you can learn from a local.
Su Tyler recently posted…Week 16 – 2017 The results are in!
what a fantastic place, the ‘no picnics in the car park’ sign did make me chuckle, the way they added it to the end of the interesting info
Love this, such an interesting bit of history, a sad time in Scotland. Gorgeous photo of the bridge. I’ve never been to the Isle of Seil, will have to add it to the bucket list!
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