Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
As the Scots reached a narrow section of path between the river and a steep hill-
side at Høgkringom, 3km south of Otta, the heroic Pillarguri (Guri) dashed up the
hill to announce their arrival by sounding her shepherd's birch-bark horn. Older
farmers, sent across the river as a decoy, began to fire. The Scots fired back across
the river, then responded to Guri's music by waving their hats and playing their bag-
pipes, unaware of the trap.
As Guri sounded her horn again, more rocks were tumbled across the trail behind
the column, blocking any retreat. The farmers attacked with rocks and their crude
weapons, savagely defeating the trapped contingent and making the river flow red
with blood.
Only six farmers were killed in the battle. The victors intended to take the 134 sur-
viving Scots as prisoners to Akershus Fortress in Oslo. However, during the victory
celebrations at Kvam, the farmers, who had to get on with their harvest and couldn't
be bothered with a tiresome march, executed the prisoners one by one.
The exploits of the peasant 'army' are still remembered in Otta, where the local
bunad
(national costume) is a distinctly un-Norwegian tartan and a statue of Pillar-
guri is near the train station. There's also a war memorial at Kringom commemorat-
ing the victory, across the river from which rises the hill Pillarguri.
Sleeping & Eating
Otta Camping
CAMPGROUND €
( 61 23 03 09;
www.ottacamping.no
, in Norwegian; Ottadalen; tent/caravan sites
for 2 people Nkr90/130 plus electricity Nkr30, 4-bed cabins Nkr350-450)
The riverside
Otta Camping is convenient and popular; cross the Otta bridge from the centre, turn right
and continue about 1km upstream.
Grand Gjestegård
HOTEL & RESTAURANT €€
( 61 23 12 00;
www.grandgjestegard.com
,
in Norwegian; Ola Dahlsgate; s/d
Nkr590/790; )
The busy hub of the little that happens in Otta, the Grand Gjestegård
wins plaudits for its friendly welcome and pleasant rooms; half have been recently renov-
ated, with the rest to follow soon. The meals (mains Nkr115 to Nkr145) here are simple,
fairly standard roadside Norwegian fare, but they're filling and served with a smile.
