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Way back in the time it was known as Dalriada

From Wild in Scotland in Kilmartin, United Kingdom on Oct 25 '05

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Early night in Oban
Early night in Oban
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We finally reached Oban just before night fall! We rush to the "Oban Backpacker" to dump our stuff and we went on a pub search! Fortunately for us, Chris was use to the pubs of Oban because of his job as tour guide. Chris told me that the best pub in Oban was the Oban Inn.

In less that 2 minutes we were inside this old fisherman pub! I went for the fish n' chips and Chris had a steak and kidney pie. Those meal were help by a couple pint of bitter. After the third pint, Chris told me that he was going back to the hostel because he had to work on some details of his next tour. I was left alone the pub for about 24 seconds, when the "pub drunk" came struggling to reach the bar. The pub drunk here was more drunk than the one in Glasgow but it's always the same type of guy! He was 60-ish, a beard of 5 days and was the captain (that's what I've guessed seeing his cap) of a boat in Oban. He was a very interresting chap! He then holding on the bar for his dear life ask me THE question:

I'm the King of Scotland!
This is the bridge that cross the Atlantic Ocean!
This is the bridge that cross the Atlantic Ocean!
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- W'er ia frrroumm?

Why is that everybody always ask me this question? Is this because of my shoes, my hair cut, my fashion sense or simply because I don't look like a normal Obannian?

- Hi mate was my answer!

- Oh a OZ mann in ter!

Close-up of the 14-15th century slabs
Close-up of the 14-15th century slabs
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- I'm not from Oz, I'm from the other british colony accross the Atlantic!

- Rely! U 'av ay Ozzie ac'en an' u frrrroum Kaynayda! Cheerrrrs!

- In fact, I'm a fan of Ozzie [Osborne]! And we went on talking....

He then ask the bartender to give me a pint which the bartender did! I love the "pub drunk"!!!

The Linear Cemetery (standing stones)
The Linear Cemetery (standing stones)
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I had a couple more pint in that nice pub and then went to sleep feeling like I was the King of Scotland!

The next day, Chris had decided that 7am was our departure time! We were gonna go back in time today when Scotland was known as Alba! GREAT!

Where's the DeLorean???

That's the first thing I've asked Chris. The answer was don't be a smart ass Sly! Ok, so I've guess there was no need to put my Mcfly look on! That's ashamed! So we've took the road to Kilmartin Glen where we can see some old tombs and some standing stones!

The main entrance to the Dunadd Fort!
The main entrance to the Dunadd Fort!
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But before all that, Chris ask me if I would like to cross the Altantic Ocean by feet? Don't be a smart ass Chris! And then Chris with a big smile on his face said : You will cross it in 30 minutes! Really, and I will never come back to Scotland because it's a very long road (swim) actually! After 30 minutes, here I was crossing the Atlantic Ocean...Yeah I did it! In fact I crossed a creek which is the Atlantic Ocean! Chris was so happy and I was feeling like Christopher Columbus!

After all those emotion we went straight to Kilmartin Glen to see some old tombs. It was quit interresting to see those old Knight's Temlar tomb and their history. The most impressive slabs were keep in a small mausoleum in the graveyard when you can see the great details of the carving dating from the 14-15 century Loch Awe School. After that gravedigging, we went to an area on the city limit where we were able to see some nice standing stone and some cairns. Chris told me to feel like when the time does where build I should remove my shoes and sox and walk like this. It was a wee bit cold but worth the experience!

I'm the King of Scotland

Chris ask me if I was ready to be the King of Scotland! I said yes, but I don't know that could be possible because I'm not the son of a king and that I don't know any king! Don't be a smart ass Sly! We took the road to Dunadd Hill Fort. Which situated on the outskirts of Kilmartin. I then saw a hill, was that the house of the King of Scotlant? Chris then told me that this hill was the most important hill in the whole Kilmartin area. Dunadd was the capital of the Scottish kingdom of Dalriada in 500AD. Great so where is the King now? Do I need to fight him to take is title? Those expecting a fight between me and a 2500 year old chap don't be to disappointed if I tell you there was none!

Chris made me kneel down and those were is words:

- I by the power given to me by the late King of Scotland shall make you the new King of Scotland.

- King, survey your land!

I was now the new King of Scotland! What a great feeling!

What a day! And I was still just half way thru my trip!


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