EPISODE 193 INVERLOCHY CASTKE,,,ABD A $100 TIP AFTER HIGH TEA
alan skeoch
dec. 2020
A strategic location
The moat that surrounded the castle has long gone but the location at the western end of theGreat Glen and natural defensive postion against the River Lochy gave Inverlochy castle a superior advantage. The old Military Road built by General Wade passed right by the castle and can still be followed back in to Fort William.
Originally dating back to the 13th century, Inverlochy Castle last played a part in Scottish and English history during the Civil Wars of the 1640’s. In 1645 the royalist Earl of Montrose routed the roundhead forces of the Campbell Chief Duke of Argyll at the second Battle of Inverlochy.
ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON IN THE 21ST CENTURY A TOURING CANADIAN FAMILY HAD HIGH TEA…AND GAVE WHAT SEEMED AN APPROPRIATE TIP.
“WOW, GABRIELA WAS A $100 TIP NECESSARY FOR A CUP OF TEA?”
We had a lot of good times in Scotland a few years ago. Touring. Those carefree times that
Covid 19 has relegated to the deep past. However, One of our trips startled me a bit.
“There it is…Inverlochy Castle…a high end five star hotel and dining room…tops…let’s
have High Tea.” said Gabriela.
“Sure…can we afford it though?”
“High tea…scones, clotted cream, tiny sandwiches, cakes, marmalade…we can afford that.”
And it was a grand visit. As we drove off…about 40 miles north…I offered to pay
the bill. “How much?” Gabriela gave me the bill.
“Holy Cow! You gave them a 40 pound tip for a cup of tea. $100!”
“I did not, I gave 4 pounds…$10”
“Nope…$100)
So we turned around , drove back…and the hotel staff were not the least bit
upset and corrected our error. They were quite used to big tips though. This was
a high end place. Distillery money built the castle.
Gabriela is gone now. But her memory lingers on. Memory should be joyful.
Remembering the good times.
A FIVE STAR SCOTTISH CASTLE…A VISIT BY HIGH SPENDING CANADIANS