by Joseph L. Chairez
Scotland is a land of beauty, legends, and inspiration. From its medieval cities to its breathtaking highlands, Scotland has something for everyone. This coming spring, the Orange County Bar Association will host its 2019 MCLE seminar in the historic Scottish cities of Edinburgh, home of Edinburgh Castle and Inverness, known as the capital of the Highlands.
The seminar will start in Edinburgh, where the group will stay at the landmark Waldorf Astoria. Built in 1906, the hotel is located minutes from Edinburgh Castle and the historic Old Town. Here, attendees will participate in CLE seminars conducted by top judges and practitioners. The panels will cover everything from ethics to trial practice. The seminars are strategically scheduled to take place between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. to allow attendees plenty of time to enjoy the Scottish sites and attractions.
Whether your interest is exploring ruins, castles, or museums, or learning more about the rich folklore of the area, Scotland has it all. In Edinburgh, it’s hard to walk more than a block without passing a historic site. If this is your thing, then be sure to take one of the many walking tours of the city. For the more adventurous, you might consider one of the night tours of Edinburgh’s famous underground, including the Blair Street Underground Vaults or one of Edinburgh’s many ghost tours.
For foodie travelers, Edinburgh has a host of interesting restaurants and pubs to satisfy the most discerning palate or to quench a deep thirst. As for the latter, The Royal Mile (the main street in Old Town) has a number of unique legal-themed pubs. Two of my favorites are The Devil’s Advocate, located on 9 Advocate’s Close (a Scottish term for a private alleyway) and the Jolly Judge on 7 James Court. The Jolly Judge is a small, welcoming local pub with a tartan-pattern carpet and great service, making it the perfect place for lunch or an afternoon beer. The Devil’s Advocate is a more upscale restaurant bar, with friendly service, excellent food (try the fish), unique cocktails, and a large selection of Scottish whiskies. Better make your dinner reservations early.
If your interest leans towards literature, you are in luck as Scotland was the home of many literary giants. Minutes from the Waldorf Astoria is the Museum of Writers, which exhibits the works, manuscripts, and paintings of renowned poet and novelist, Sir Walter Scott, whose titles include Rob Roy, The Lady in the Lake, and Ivanhoe. The museum also displays the works of Robert Louis Stevenson, who brought us Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. And don’t forget Scotland’s famed poet-lyricist, Robert Burns. Not a fan of museums but still enjoy a good book? Stop by the Elephant House and have a cup of tea where JK Rowling relaxed and worked on her Harry Potter novels. The list of writers from or inspired by Scotland goes on and on and on. Two other favorite Scottish authors are Edinburgh-born Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who penned the immortal Sherlock Holmes books, and Dame Muriel Spark, who wrote The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
From Edinburgh, in Harry Potter-style, the seminar attendees will board a train to Inverness on a trip through the scenic Scottish countryside. The dramatic Scottish Highlands served as a back drop to many movies, including Braveheart, Rob Roy, Prometheus, Skyfall, the Harry Potter series (look for the train scene to Hogwarts), and Outlander. Upon arriving in the port city of Inverness, the group will stay at a historic colonial manor, Culloden House. Bonnie Prince Charlie resided at the manor house while planning the Battle of Culloden to support the Jacobite rising in 1745.
While in Inverness, attendees will have an opportunity to network and travel with newfound friends to see the many castles and ruins that dot the Highlands. Attentive travelers may even spot the famous Highland cattle known as Heilan Coo’s, a breed of cow covered head to hoof with long, coarse brown hair. From Culloden, it is easy to take day trips to see many surrounding sites, including Inverness Castle, Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness, Fort George, and the Culloden Battlefield. While in Inverness, the myths and legends of the north are ever-present. You will hear stories about the Loch Ness Monster, locally known as Nessie, and lesser-known stories about Kelpies, the water horse, and about the Blue Men (not to be confused with the Blue Man Group in Vegas). The moral of these stories is “enter the water at your own risk.”
Before leaving Scotland, time permitting, there are two other famous Scottish must-dos. The first is to visit one of the many famous Scotch whisky distilleries and learn how the Scots make their fine single-malt whiskies. In Inverness, Glenmorangie Distillery offers three tours. And lastly, visit or play a round of golf at one of Scotland’s many world-class golf courses, the most famous of which is St. Andrews. Don’t forget a sweater.
The OCBA 2019 MCLE Scotland Seminar will be epic. Don’t be left behind. For the complete itinerary and details, email robert@toursfestival.com.
Joseph L. Chairez is a partner at Baker Hostetler, a past President of the OCBA and Co-Chair of the OCBA MCLE 2019 Scotland Seminar. He can be reached at jchairez@bakerlaw.com.