Leaving Inveraray, we traveled over the "Rest and Be Thankful Pass" to the last and best preserved township, called Auchindrain. The day was overcast with a fine mist falling over the incredibly green landscape of pasture, cottages, babbling brooks, and a great black thorn tree. For over a thousand years most people of rural Scotland lived in townships raising sheep, cattle, growing oats, peas, bean, barley, and later potatoes. Cottars, such as tailors, weavers, and fishermen would rent or trade work for rent from the joint tenants of the township. The Auchindrain township survived until 1963 and is now run by the Auchindrain Trust. Queen Victoria visited the sight while visiting the Duke of Argyll at Inveraray Castle in 1875. I felt like a child in a candy store exploring this township, knowing that my family most likely lived in such a cottage in a similar township before they left Scotland. In the sketch of the interior of a cottage, there is a black thorn wood walking cane leaning against the wall. I inherited one just like it from my Uncle Marvin!