Scotland - 2017

Tuesday 22 August 2017

We were flying up to Glasgow from Dublin, following our tour of Ireland. However, the aircraft was running late and this delay lengthened as after everyone was on board they had to wait for the baggage and we took off nearly two hours late! My main concern was having to now leave Glasgow for Arrochar in the middle of rush hour on strange roads in a strange car. Actually it was much better than I expected and we arrived at the hotel before my brother and sister-in-law arrived for dinner at a restaurant down the road.

Wednesday 23 August 2017

Today we were heading for Oban to catch the lunchtime ferry to Mull. After driving around the north end of Loch Long, we headed up the "Rest and Be Thankful" (the climb up the mountains) and over the other side where we found better weather.

We booked into the ferry for Mull and arrived at Craignure after the 40 minute trip. We drove up to Tobermory and took a walk around and got some lunch. Most of the roads on Mull are single lane with many passing points, but the average speed is around 30-40kph and driving demands high concentration with much stopping and starting, but everyone plays the game and it works.

We drove inland to see the Macquarie Mausoleum which is in a field 600 metres from the road. (Macquarie was the fifth and last of the autocratic governors of NSW, Australia, ruling from 1810 to 1821. Being Scottish he returned there after his time in Australia. The Mausoleum is supported by the Australian National Trust.)

From there it was a 2 hour drive across the island to Fionnphort and after settling into our B&B (probably the nicest presented that we've seen) we took a walk down to the harbour on a beautiful evening.

Thursday 24 August 2017

We took the 9.55am ferry across to Iona to visit the nunnery and abbey that was started in 563AD.

From there we strolled along the road until we reached the gate of the walk to the top of Dun I. The walk up was steep and very wet, but the views from the top were great. It looked like there was some rain coming so we headed down to the ferry and it just started as we got there. The walk back to the B & B was rather damp. We ate out at the The Keel Row. Nice meal.

Friday 25 August 2017

We were leaving Iona today, and there was heavy rain as we drove back towards Craignure. On the way there we turned off for Duart Castle, home of the McLeans.

Saturday 26 August 2017

Decided we had to do some washing so drove into Caol shopping centre (near Fort William). Not many people around the small centre and many of the shops were shut. A woman at the laundrymat went for a swim while her washing was being done - with full wetsuit. Don't blame her!

There were nice views to Ben Nevis and down the loch.

From there we drove down to Glencoe. A beautiful glen. Lots of people everywhere.

Then we drove to the Nevis Range and took the gondola to the top (about half way up the mountain). Walked out to the viewing area. Luckily the cloud cleared. We ended up having late lunch/early dinner at a cafe in Spean Bridge. Had a quiet evening.

Sunday 27 August 2017

Today we headed to Fort Augustus and watched the boats coming down the locks of the Caledonian Canal. We were going go take a boat ride out on to Loch Ness, but no one seemed interested in selling us a ticket so we left for Skye.

As we headed towards the Isle of Skye we stopped at the most photographed castle in Scotland - Eilean Donan

I added a few more photos to that list.

We stayed at the Dunollie Hotel on the Isle of Skye. The view from our room was nice, but rain set in during the evening so we didn't get for a walk.

Monday 28 August 2017

Raining this morning, but the forecast wasn't too bad so we drove to Uig on the far side of Skye. Not a lot there, but interesting none the less.

We stopped in several places to take photos in between showers. At one place Di slipped and landed on her wrist and knee. Thankfully no major damage except for being sore for a few days.

By the time we crossed the bridge back from Skye the weather had improved a bit and once we settled into the hotel in Inverness we could take a walk along the tow path down to the locks.

Tuesday 29 September 2017

It was a very cold and windy morning, but as it was not raining we decided to take the boat cruise down Loch Ness. We had to drive a few kilometres back to the south, to the north end of the loch, to get to the jetty. It was quite an enjoyable couple of hours.

Wednesday 30 August 2017

We walked down to the train station to catch the Strathspey Steam Train to Boat of Garten and Broomhill (Glen Bogle - from Monarch of the Glen fame) and then return.

Afterwards we drove to Grantown-on-Spey and walked around the museum and town. Both were really worth the visit.

A half hour drive got us to the Cairngorm Mountain and we took the funicular train up to the top for coffee and cake.

We went to a residental shopping centre pizza shop for dinner. Quite good actually.

Thursday 31 August 2017

Today we started heading south, but via the scenic route of Grantown-on-Spey and then Cock Bridge (past several ski centres and beautiful country side) heading down the eastern side of the Cairngorms to Balmoral and on to Bremar (where we looked through the castle) and finally, via some very back roads to Aberfeldy to the Moness Resort. Took a walk into town and then had dinner at the resort.

Friday 1 September 2017

We departed for Stirling Castle but found it impossible to find a car park within a kilometre, so drove round to the William Wallace Memorial and climbed up the hill and into the building.

We decided to have another try at getting a park at the castle and luckily found one, so took a look around the castle and also got some lunch there before heading down to my brother and sister-in-law's place at Lenzie. There we had a quiet family evening.

Saturday 2 September 2017

All of the family drove down into the border country to Gretna Green, then across to Hawick and then back to Lenzie via Langholm and Selkirk. Nice drive but quite a long day.

Went to The Stables Restaurant for dinner.

Sunday 3 September 2017

Today we all drove to Edinburgh and got the tram into the city.

Did the usual touristy things....

We walked up to the Royal Mile and then to the castle. However, the castle was too busy, and as we have been through it before, we didn't go through it this time, so retraced our steps back down the Royal Mile.

Monday 4 September 2017

Wet morning, but our niece came round and the five of us headed off to Culross for lunch and a look around.

Culross is lovely old town with narrow cobbled streets.

From there we drove to St Andrews and took a walk around before heading back to Lenzie. St. Andrews has so many ruins and old buildings you could spend a week there.

....and of course play golf!

Being our last night with the family, we all set around talking until after midnight.