The Land of Rainbows and Unicorns

Once Upon A Time...

Two young lovers set out on a quest to chase the sun and seek adventure through the Highlands. Passing through grasslands and rolling hills, enduring rain storms followed by rainbows, Michael and Victoria come across a majestic stone castle atop a mass of rocks.

They make their way to the entrance to seek rest and food. A friendly guard greets them and demands a toll before entering the castle. Michael and Victoria wave their enchanted card of plastic at the guard and he welcomes them in through the great gate.

 

As the young couple strolls through the castle grounds, a strange force of nature closes in from the North. The people look on in the distance as the ominous clouds race towards them. Before anyone can seek cover, the skies open up and let out fierce winds and rain.

Michael and Victoria head for shelter but the storm passes in the blink of an eye and the sun shines bright and warm again. They continue to cross the grounds to visit the Great Hall but then another storm ambushes them, this time turning to sleet and snow and hail.

In order to walk the halls of the palace, guests must dress in the finest garments. Victoria exchanges her common garb for a regal blue gown fit for a queen!

Michael observes that a knight in shining armor is eyeing his Victoria, so he warns the knight, "The feet of this Lady have already been swept off. Make haste and get thee gone."

Entering the Throne Room, the couple is presented with a rare treat: the castle's prize unicorns. These magnificent creatures are held in the highest regard by all the great kings and their people. "I never in my life thought I would see a unicorn," exclaimed Victoria. "And now there are several before me!"

The shadows on the ground grow longer and the sun is now descending in the sky. Michael realizes they have lingered too long in the castle.

The two continue their journey onward and look back one last time at the castle in the sky.

Knowing they must make it to Loch Lomond before darkness falls, the lovers race through the hills and glens. However, the beauty of the Trossachs and the gentle flow of the creeks lure them to a halt. A man in black emerges from the trees, wielding the skull and antlers of a wild beast. Fearlessly, Victoria greets him with warm hello. "Good afternoon sir, we are passing through on our way to Loch Lomond," she says. The man in black nods and smiles, "ah yes, there is an inn near the loch where you must go." With that, he turns and disappears over the horizon.



Mesmerized by the land, Michael and Victoria linger along the path surrounded by waterfalls, rivers, and giants.

The sun is about to fall behind the mountains when the two weary travelers finally arrive at the legendary loch. They stand over the water and watch as the last rays kiss the land good night.

Remembering the words of the man in black, Michael and Victoria set out once more to find the inn. There, along the road, the glowing lights through the windows of the inn promise warmth and welcome.

Stepping inside, the couple is startled by the beasts and mythical creatures that surround the room. Luckily, they have all been frozen by some magical enchantment.

Even the rarest creature of them all was on display at the inn: the elusive Haggis.

After filling their stomachs with steak and ale pie with mash, emptying their mugs of beer, and warming their hearts with the memories of the day, Michael and Victoria treated themselves to a dessert so decadent and so rich, they thought it was a dream. That dream is sticky toffee pudding with ice cream.



And so this fairytale chapter ends as the two travelers in love return to reality. The reality of the cold, hard chairs of the Edinburgh Airport lobby. Yes, we slept at the airport to save money.

The End