Bruce's June 2025 trip to Scotland

June 2025 Trip to Scotland

Note from Bruce E. Walkup: My son Kyle and I made our own pilgrimage to Scotland June 11-17, 2025. Though a bit shorter in duration, we were able to locate several sites that eluded us in June 2001. Unfortunately, we did not have time to track down the ruins of the mansion located on the Wauchope lands in Roxburghshire owing to our plane landing two hours late and Kyle wanting to purchase a kilt on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Our delightful host was Ancestral Journey's Jerron Atkin (son of the late Brenda Kucharzewski). Included below are a selection of photos that we took on our journey. Enjoy...

Bagpiper on the Royal Mile June 11, 2025 - A fine kickoff to a great adventure, although we did not hear that many bagpipers while there (similar to 2001).
Tea with scones... but of course, your majesty June 11, 2025 - Phone call taken by Kyle along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. (Of course this story is true, except for the part about the phone call.)
Yes, just confirming the invitation for afternoon tea, Sire June 11, 2025 - Bruce continues the conversation later in front of Holyrood Palace (same payphone he used in 2001).
Purchasing an official Scottish kilt June 12, 2025 -Kyle purchasing a modern Black Watch kilt (He retired with a rank of sergeant from the US Marine Corps.) with the all the accoutrements at Hector Russell on the Royal Mile. (Bruce would have bought one too, but said he no longer has the legs for it.)
Craigmillar Castle June 12, 2025 - Kyle and Bruce seen from the ramparts of the somewhat intact ruins of Craigmillar Castle. The Wauchope lands of Niddrie would be just off camera a bit to the right.
Niddrie-Merschell Pavilion June 12, 2025 - Sadly, the mausoleum has not fared much better as it is even more overgrown than in 2001. We do thank the locals who allowed us to access it by cutting through the hallway of their housing unit.
Edmonstone House June 12, 2025 - Bruce marveling at the ruins of the once beautiful Wauchope Edmonstone mansion just south of Niddrie (We did not visit it in 2001.). It was the site of a 13th century castle built by the Edmonstones and said to have been in the style of nearby Craigmillar Castle. The mansion was demolished in the 1950s.
Edmonstone House (#2) June 12, 2025 - Another view of the ruins.
Cakemuir Castle of Edinburghshire June 12, 2025 - Kyle and Bruce at the side of Cakemuir Castle with the Wauchope shield clearly visible. Though permitted to stop and take a picture or two, the housekeeper was none to keen to allow us to hang about for long.
Bridge over the Wauchope Water of Dumfriesshire June 13, 2025 - Kyle and Bruce standing on the Auld Stane Brig over the Wauchope Water of Wauchopedale, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Bruce is holding a rounded stone from the foundation of the ruins of the Lindsay's Wauchope Castle built in 1285 (The ruins would be just off camera to the left. In 2001, we were unable to locate it, though it was hiding in plain sight.). Ironically, the stone was almost confiscated by Edinburgh airport security, but Bruce was able to convince the nice lady that he was just collecting some stones from ancient family lands (Ugh, should have put the four of them in the checked bag rather than the backpack.).
Wauchope Castle and Water June 13, 2025 - Kyle and Bruce each wearing their nifty 'Wauchope Tour 2025' T-shirts with the ruins of Wauchope Castle straight ahead on the other side of the road (It looks like a large, long, oval shaped mound. It had fenced in horses grazing on it, so we stayed out.) and again the bridge over the Wauchope Water just off to the right of it.
Hadrian's Wall June 13, 2025 - Our invasion of northern England took Kyle and Bruce to the Housesteads Roman Fort (Britain's most complete) as flanked by Hadrian's Wall (circa 122 AD).
Durham Cathedral June 13, 2025 - Continuing our English invasion, Kyle and Bruce visit Durham Cathedral (circa 1133 AD). The view should look familiar as scenes from the first two Harry Potter movies were filmed there. Unfortunately, due to our late arrival, we could not climb the stairs to the top of the spire.
Watcarrick June 14, 2025 - Back in our beloved Scotland, Kyle and Bruce stand next to the sign to nearby Watcarrick, Dumfriesshire (now only a few buildings, just up the little road seen to the right). Back before our line of Wauchopes left for Ulster in 1642, Bruce believes they may have lived in the vicinity of what was known then as the settlement of Carrick. It was located just west across the White Esk River of those lands possessed by Alexander de Wauchope in the 14th century which then came to the Glendinnings. It is known that this Alexander is Bruce's direct ancestor via the female line, at the least.
Rosslyn Chapel June 14, 2025 - What fan of 'The Curse of Oak Island' TV show could skip Rosslyn Chapel founded (circa 1456) by William Sinclair, Baron of Roslin, Lord Sinclair, Earl of Orkney and later 1st Earl of Caithness. It is known that this William is Bruce's direct ancestor. Legend states it that his grandfather, Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, discovered North America 100 years before Christopher Columbus (once again, Bruce's direct ancestor).
Malcolm's Tower June 14, 2025 - Kyle and Bruce stand atop the ruins of King Malcolm Canmore's Tower with the spire of Dunfermline Abbey visible in the background. Unfortunately, we were not allowed access to the tomb of King Robert the Bruce at Dunfermline due to a wedding that was soon to begin (a lady was nicely playing bagpipes just outside the abbey).
Balmoral Castle June 14, 2025 - Kyle and Bruce standing outside the front of Balmoral Castle (cherished home of the British Royal Family since 1852). As it is known to be occupied by the Royals for a month during each summer, we were allowed to only tour the grand ballroom and outer grounds.
Crathes Castle June 15, 2025 - Though we did not deign to reclaim our ancient family lands, nonetheless Kyle and Bruce toured the castle built upon them by the Burnetts, just as we did in 2001.
Loch of Leys sign June 15, 2025 - It was much easier to find the site of the Wauchope's ancient fortalice at the Loch of Leys as a trail was built around the south side since 2001, accompanied along the way by some well-appointed signage.
Culter House June 15, 2025 - Kyle stands next to the once stately Cummin seat of Culter House. It is believed an earlier Wauchope mansion once stood at this site and was likely the Wauchope seat of power up north.
Urquhart Castle June 16, 2025 - At one time the largest castle in Scotland, the ruins of Urquhart Castle (circa 13th century) lies along the western shores of Loch Ness. Please, look closely for signs of Nessy.
Urquhart Castle (#2) June 16, 2025 - Kyle and Bruce seen touring Urquhart Castle (Bruce adorned in his ScotsFest 2024 T-shirt from Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas.). As one may notice, at the time of the first picture above, the weather was sunny and pleasant in the mid-60s F, hence no jackets or cap on Bruce's part. During the tour the weather took a nasty turn as the wind suddenly picked up, the temperature dropped to 59 F, and it began to lightly rain. The crowds quickly dispersed, but for our intrepid little group comprising Kyle, Bruce, Jerron (our host), the tour guide, and a lone guy from Minnesota (also with no jacket or umbrella). But for the guy from Minnesota, Bruce seriously considered calling it a day but simply could not, being originally from Iowa and containing much Viking DNA himself (i.e., 77% Viking Index score).
Castle Stuart June 16, 2025 - Though we could not stay overnight as we did in 2001 (It is no longer a B&B.), Castle Stuart retains a warm place in Bruce's heart due to all the fun he had with his brother (Dave) over several hours looking for all the secret passages (We found them all, with a few hints from the owner's daughter.).
Jacobite (Hogwarts) Express June 16, 2025 - As Harry Potter's Professor McGonacall would say, we were only able to see the passing of the Hogwarts Express (a.k.a., Jacobite Express) over the Glenfinnan Viaduct out of 'sheer, dumb luck' as the train was running 25 minutes late when we arrived. (And yes, you are correct, the engine is running backwards.)
Stirling Castle June 16, 2025 - Dating from the early 12th century and home to the Kings of Scotland for hundreds of years, Stirling Castle is a must visit.
Statue of King Robert the Bruce June 17, 2025 - There could be no more fitting a finish to our trip than posing at Bannockburn before the memorial statue to our direct ancestor Robert the Bruce, King of Scots!

This page last updated July 19, 2025