Inverness and Election Wrap

First, and most importantly, the Scottish Parliamentary elections were held yesterday, and the results were stunning. Holyrood uses PR electoral rules, meaning each party's seats in parliament are partially based on regional elections, but also conform to the percentage of the national vote which the party received. This is a less stable but more democratic form of government - less stable because it almost always results in coalition government. The Scottish National Party shocked all serious observers by gaining an absolute majority of the seats in Edinburgh; 69 out of 129 total seats. However, not everyone was thrilled to hear the news, as British PM David Cameron congratulated the SNP on their "emphatic win" then went on to say if they were to hold a referendum, he would campaign to keep the UK together "with every fibre that I have." This adds a new twist to the whole experience that I am having here and I hope to have even more conversations about this with locals before I leave.

Today we took the train north from Dunkeld to Inverness, what Britt called "the second most beautiful train ride in Scotland." He tells me we are taking the most beautiful train ride in Scotland next week up to the Isle of Skye, but as far as I can tell they've all been quite beautiful. In the afternoon we visited the battlefield and museum at Culloden, where the English finally put down the Jacobite Uprisings in 1745, which has provided much inspiration for Scots identity since then. After taking the bus back to Inverness we visited this incredible Indian restaurant and ate way too much, then walked back up to our hotel. I am so excited for the next four days in Inverness. This is an incredible city and I have just loved what I've seen so far of the Highland culture.