#saw some cute birds today and had a malt so life is good :)

[glowstone23b]

Today I think I shall gush about my piglin naming system! Inspired by Technoblade :)

Piglin names typically come in three parts, being (attribute)(thing you’re known for)(bastion name). Bastion names are normally used if you’re interacting with anyone outside of your bastion or horde, because goodness knows how many piglins out there are named Gold…

First names are usually a personality trait or something alluding to one, not always literal. Techno was named as such because he’s cool and calculating on the outside, like technology. Flint (my oc, for a second example) was named as such because he’s hardy and dependable.

Second names are given later on in life (some piglins choose not to use them, or never earn them)— these can be a lot of things! Usually it’s a profession, but it can also be a notable event in your life; it’s something people would recognize you for. Techno got the name “blade” because of his prowess with blades in farming and on the battlefield, and Flint got “bairn” for being good with those who are born (animals, but children especially).

Some piglins never end up getting second names, and some don’t associate with a bastion. Those who are outcast or choose to move elsewhere may take up a different name. They also morph with time— if someone becomes more well-known for something after they’d already received a second name, they’d change it to match!

This is the short version, amazingly enough. More under the cut if you’re interested in it! You’ll get a glimpse into how my mind works, lol

First names aren’t given until piglings start to grow their tusks in, around which time their personality shows a lot more. As a baby, they’re given a placeholder name by their parents or caretakers, which can be anything! Typically, it’s from a pool of names that that bastion or horde holds dear, so litters a couple years apart may end up having the same childhood names.

I actually have a list of some names that’d work in one way or another, though not all of them may fit together smoothly. You can likely shift stuff around and add or subtract letters so it rolls off your tongue easier. I mean, technically this is in english, so it’d likely work in the piglin’s spoken language, but hey!

Birth names: Typically some physically defining trait, notable action, or person/idol/role model, given to the piglet shortly after birth. Examples include steve/alex/jean, mud, snow, speckle, leather, squeal, swift, trot, crinkle, crimson, trip/skip, hopper

First names: Typically an object or item, or field of study or important advancement in relation to the piglin’s temperament around 8-12 years of age. Overworld examples are used less frequently, but tend to be given to piglets with exceptional or odd temperaments. Examples include Techno(logy), Flint, Fence, Ash, Ember, Clay, Obsidian (Obi-), Cinder, Gold, Flame, Blaze, Rose, Water, Rust, Cobblestone (Cobble-), Honey

Second names: Typically a thing or descriptor/verb (usually in past tense), given to the piglin after finding something they excel at or become known for. This is usually a word that pertains to multiple aspects of them (as with Techno, ‘blade’ refers to his expertise with bladed items both in battle and cultivation). Examples include Blade, Bairn (born), Char, Forge, Lock, Arrow, Shield, Bloom, Ferrous/Aurous, Brew, Heal, Tame, Craft, Knife, Smith, Saw, Sword, String, Saddle, Spirit, Breath, Grown, Wrought, Torn, Write, Built, Read, Smelt, Bud, Scar

Literally just copy pasted from my notes app so apologies if stuff is repeated or doesn’t make sense! If you guys have piglin name ideas or oc ideas regarding this I will give you a kiss on the forehead, I adore it.

The more I talk about it the more it sounds like how warrior cats name themselves. I know nothing about warrior cats, unfortunately, so I can’t say it holds true, but… I feel like this may be a common thing I worldbuilding. Regardless, I just think it’s neat!

If you are insane about piglins as I am or still relatively sane with a little interest in them, do interact! I’d love to bounce ideas off each other ^^! Also if you got this far I love you and tuck you in all cozy like a snug bug!! Don’t forget to eat and drink today, you deserve it! Okay that’s all for right now! :D

#Glowstone23b text #piglin #piglin oc #minecraft #minecraft piglin #minecraft nether #nether #flintbairn #I guess how he got his name #that technically counts #technoblade #in mention #I follow the piglin tag on tumblr and I think I’ve flooded it inadvertently #apologies to anybody else who follows it #sorry but not sorry I guess? just wanna share my love with the world and whoever listens listens!! #love the world forever #saw some cute birds today and had a malt so life is good :) #I hope yours is too ^^

[torontothoughts]

The final stage of my trip was exploring in and around Inverness. While I’d been to Inverness and to a couple of the historical places I was planning on visiting before, I really wanted to revisit Clava Cairns because of the Outlander connection. My cousin, Niki, was an Outlander fan and it seemed like a nice way to honour her memory to visit the site. And since I was going to be there, I wanted to visit the Culloden museum as I’d visited the battlefield before but not spent time in the museum. The other reason I was going to Inverness was it’s a good base to use when visiting distilleries and that section of the Highlands.

Stornoway to Inverness

As I was still not feeling up to par, I chilled until it was time to catch the ferry to Ullapool and then I was off. I truly love ferry crossings, probably because I enjoy being on boats and ships of all sizes. Luckily, it was another super calm crossing even if the sky wasn’t clear. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any marine life other than birds again. Ullapool, the town at the other side of the ferry ride, looked like I place I’d like to visit again, perhaps next trip as I’ve read there is some nice hiking/walks around there. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any of it as it was literally off the ferry and on the bus. The bus ride to Inverness was short – just over an hour and then I was checked into Inverness Student Hostel. 

The hostel room was small but clean, and there’s no room for bags under the bed (or anywhere) but what can you do. It’s a friendly place though and pretty central. After checking in and arranging to have to get my laundry done, I headed out for some fish & chips (decent and reasonably priced). But since I can’t really taste my beer (stupid allergies), I’m not sure I should book a whisky tour.

Side note: the soundtrack at the pub I ate dinner at is interesting.

The River Ness in Inverness

Inverness Castle and a statue of Flora MacDonald

The River Ness in Inverness

I asked the bartender which Scottish beer he would recommend

Inverness, Culloden and Clava Cairns

Thankfully, I started to feel better in the morning (and had energy again) so hopefully… I’ll be able to taste fully tomorrow as I plan on doing another distillery tour and to look for a place to do a tasting that I don’t have to pay £99 for. I might if I knew I could taste properly as it’s not the money but there are other options. The tour was great at Harris but I want to be able to drink whisky. 

In the meantime, I’m off to get my history, and Outlander fix today. My first stop was Culloden (the battlefield, not the town) which one can do by city bus (buy the day pass ticket for the correct zone and your golden for the day). Culloden, for those who don’t know, is the sight of the last major battle on British soil and the battle that ended the Jacobite rebellion in 1746. I had already decided to do the museum and as I spent about 2 hours there, it was worth it. I liked how they told both sides equally. While I knew the basic history, I hadn’t realized how young the Duke of Cumberland was – he was basically the same age as “Bonnie” Prince Charlie. Of course, that wasn’t the only thing I learned but it did stand out.

After wandering around the battlefield paying my respects, I headed over to Clava Cairns, which is a nice walk from Culloden (a few kilometers) and it was another amazing day. Clava Cairns are a group of Bronze Age cairns and standing stones which were recently made famous in the TV series, Outlander (and books). No Outlander moment for me, I tried, and some other tourist told me to be careful (I’m still trying to decide if he was joking). Too bad as Jamie was hot. It’s a peaceful site, at least it was until a tour bus arrived and I had to listen to some idiot, hopefully not their tour guide, spout inaccurate info. What this random dude was saying was completely different to what the sign I had just read said (and my limited knowledge). Pretty sure the official sign’s info was right. As it was another lovely, sunny day, I ignored the yapping and headed back to Culloden to catch the bus back to Inverness. Gotta love waiting for bus with a cute guy in a kilt. One of those, only in Scotland moments.

Back in Inverness, I went to the sweet shop I saw earlier and bought some traditional Scottish candies to take home. The I decided I’d had enough fish & chips and needed some veggies so I headed to the Co-op (a grocery store) to buy a salad and extra cherry tomatoes before calling it a day.

Side note: this hostel and the one in Fort William are owned by the same group. They name their beds and assign them instead of the first come, first choice model. In Fort William, they were all after famous Scots in my room and I got William Wallace (who fought the English and was drawn & quartered). In Inverness, they’re named after whisky in my room and I got Craggonmore which I’ve never tried but have to now.

Clava Cairns

Clava Cairns

A river I crossed walking to Clava Cairns

Clava Cairns

A guy in a kilt

Some traditional Scottish candies

Country roads can be really narrow

The Culloden battlefield

One of the standing stones at Clava Cairns

No Outlander moment for me

Clava Cairns

Inverness

It was a wee bit of a wet day but since I’ve had mostly great weather, I can’t really complain. I decided to head to a distillery I could both get to by city bus (again, get a day pass ticket for the correct zone) and that I couldn’t try at home… and ended up at the Glen Ord distillery. It was a nice tour but I accidentally signed up for the wrong one and ended up on a simple tour, not a tasting. Ah well, at least there was a small taste at the end and it was a nice tour.

Afterwards, I decided to walk to the next village to check out the Beauly Priory, which are ruins of an old priory from approximately 1230, before catching the bus back to Inverness. Despite the misty rain, it wasn’t that bad of a day and I enjoyed the 5 km walk. Plus it was nice to add some more history to my day, although I did find it a bit odd that there seemed to be monuments/tombstones inside the ruins of the priory.

Back in Inverness, I caught a bite to eat (fish & chips again, this time with mushy peas) before heading to the Malt Room for whisky, which was so memorable, it gets it’s own section.

The Beauly Priory

The Beauly Priory

A hairy coo (Highland cow)

The Beauly Priory

The tasting at the Glen Ord Distillery

The Beauly Priory

The Beauly Priory

Part of the tour at the Glen Ord Distillery

The Glen Ord Distillery

The Beauly Priory

The Beauly Priory

Making the whisky at the Glen Ord Distillery

The Malt Room

The Malt Room, a small, cozy bar tucked into the Victorian Market alleyway, is heavenly. They have whisky flights! As I hadn’t really done a tasting yet, just a couple of tours, I was so happy to have found this place. I tried the North Coast 500 flight, which is a five whisky flight with Glenmorangie Quinte Ruban, Old Pultney 12, Balblair 05, Clynelish 14, and Dalmore 15. Of the five, I’d only previously tried the Glenmorange, which is one I enjoy (sweet & fruity).

Old Pulteney 12 is light and tastes like a mild salted caramel, a nice intro whisky. Balblair is a sweet, mildly spicy/peppery whisky – for me, the spice/pepper dominated the other flavours after the first sip. Clynelish, this one explodes on the palate! It’s oaky, spicy and fruity all at once. Dalmore smells like chocolate covered cherries and tastes like a spicy fruit cake with licorice lingers. 

My conclusion on all five whiskies after trying them all neat and then with a drop or two of water is:

I still love Glenmorangie Quinte Ruban. 

Old Pultney 12 might be good for those who don’t think they like whisky or have never tried it and want a gentle entry. But I wasn’t a fan.

Balblair 05 is lovely to sip – I’d definitely buy it if it’s available in Canada. I really liked it and a drop or two of water soothes the spiciness and brings out the sweet toffee.

Adding a drop or two to Clynelish 14 softens it a bit but it’s still full of flavour – orange, oak and spice in equal measure, and in that order. It’s also a nice whisky and a bit sweeter with a bit of water. It’s a bit like a spicy fruity run ball/truffle.

Dalmore 15 did not improve with water. Even though I only added two drops (literally) of water, it tastes bland now. Not completely but it was much better without water.

Side note: there’s a fascinating discussion about Scottish independence here and one of the guys (it’s quite a friendly discussion despite the dissenting opinions) says “It’s fine, you’re wrong but I accept that.” 

The tasting at the Glen Ord Distillery

Pretty flowers at the Malt Room

My North 500 flight at the Malt Room

All in all, it was a lovely way to spend my last night in Inverness (and second last in Scotland). If you’re a whisky fan and in the Inverness area, I’d definitely recommend visiting the Malt Room. They have tons of whiskies and several different whisky flights to choose from.

Final Thoughts

The last part of my trip was all about history and whisky… and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. They are two of my favourite things. I still can’t believe how amazing the weather was for the majority of my trip but man, am I thankful. There’s still lots of Scotland I’d love to explore but I had an absolute blast on this trip.

What’s your favourite historical site in Scotland? Which whisky would you recommend?

Revisiting Scotland - Exploring Inverness Meant Whisky and History #Scotland #travel #whisky The final stage of my trip was exploring in and around Inverness. While I’d been to Inverness and to a couple of the historical places I was planning on visiting before, I really wanted to revisit Clava Cairns because of the Outlander connection.

#Inverness #Scotland #solo travel #Travel #whisky tasting