| To enter the Clan Muir Cottage is to join Scotsman and pre-eminent naturalist John Muir for a walk in the wilderness. Hues of ancient green and terracotta grace the walls. Wilderness images and sculpture abound. A carved mantle over the gas log fireplace features Muir's image before an outline of his beloved Yosemite. | | | | | William Wallace of BRAVEHEART fame represents the warriorhood that is woven throughout Scottish history. His five foot long claymore sword carved into the mantle sets the tone for the red and gold décor. Heavy iron and wood furniture speak the message of Wallace: FREEDOM! In case you are one of the seven people on the planet who missed it, a copy of BRAVEHEART is on standby near the VCR. | | | | | Charles Rennie MacIntosh, the Glasgow-born architect and designer who's bold designs helped usher in modern architecture. His wife Margaret MacDonald collaborated with him and encouraged his mystical watercolors as seen in this cottage. His abstract kissing butterflies are carved into the mantle. All the heavy wood furniture in MacIntosh Cottage is of the "mission" style so popular in American and European homes today. | | | | | As golf is to Scotland, so is Clan MacKay cottage to Glenlaurel. The MacKay clan has operated the premier golf shop in the village of St Andrews since the beginning of gold. Above the carved mantle with nickered golfer in full swing, appears a portrait of the venerable St Andrews. Entering the room, itself with its weathered purple and green look is like entering the gentlemen's pub at the Old Course. | | | | | When the chieftain of Clan MacLeod returned from the Middle East, he brought along a piper of sorts to entertain his household at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye. And so began the history of bagpiping in Scotland. And so does the MacLeod cottage honor the piper as a symbol of the richest tradition of Scotland. In the mantle is carved a lone piper paying silent tribute to the image of Culloden field hanging above.
The cream colored walls frame a set of pipes and other memorabilia. There are even CD's of some of the world's best pipers-if you please. | | | | | Legend has it that Ceymus MacTavish was the Laird of the original Glenlaurel estate-300 years ago. Only Michael the current Innkeeper can tell you the story of the link between Ceymus and himself. But the Clan MacTavish cottage embodies all the enchanted fairytale elements that have woven the ancient lore of Scotland.
The soft golden glow of the walls and warm honey tones of the furniture combine to melt reality and invite the drift of romance. Even the location of the MacTavish at the far corner of the Hamlet, places it in the realm of faeries and the wee people. | | | |
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