Ballinluig Inn Hotel Pitlochry

Finally back at home. It's been 15 weeks and 12 countries (14 technically, but a stopover in Sydney and stepping on Zimbabwean soil whilst Bungy jumping don't count). There's been highs and low's throughout, but on the whole, the experience has been fantastic and completely and ...

A surprise - wasn't expecting to see this type of detail in a non-fancy church. Looks like a farmhouse on the outside, but on the inside a very detailed painted ceiling.

I would guess that not too many people actually make it out to this site.

... up on the A9 we went past the entry to the Monarch of the Glen – apparently the royals turned down this house and took up Balmoral residence so this was made available for the popular tv show. Going through the countryside full of drenched highland cattle, black faced sheep and ram and loads of Heather we later went through Glen Gloy which is meant to be known as the 'Great Glen'. Further on we went past the Well of the Seven ...

... background. First fridge magnet brought of the Cathedral!


Across from the cathedral Lynda explained Uncle Dave's ashes were scattered by the River Tay and on the edge of the Cathedral as this was one of his favourite spots. Plus we learnt Lynda is a dog rescuer! River Tay has a particularly strong current so a dog she was dog-sitting (few months prior) was very lucky indeed.

... a great feeling being there on the South Inch. Wonder why they call the field that? Something about that place just brought up a great joyful feeling in me.
One of the very non-traditional but also very fun things we did was the Summit slide – you climb up and then slide down this big inflatable slide thing. It's really for kids but we went anyway, what a fun start to our Highland Games!
Just getting to and from Perth to see the competition was great in itself ...

... vege growing locals it is the archetypal quaint Scottish village. In the current hustle and bustle we allow ourselves to get caught up in it was nice to see shops that actually closed for lunch 12-1. I kid you not. The main street, other than for the pubs and some businesses catering for the tourist trade were simply closed for lunch, talk about wok-life balance. I spent a few minutes here chatting with a lovely old gentleman about his garden ...

... them and poke and prod and re-coat the globs, twirling all the while. I didn't actually see any blowing, just the production line creation of glass paperweights. Danny's prize souvenir is a bit of coloured glass scavenged from beside the rubbish bins in the carpark.
Chinese take-away in the campervan for tea tonight. Actually it was “carry-out” (served by a man with a Chinese face but a very Scottish accent) eaten in the motorhome – get it right!

... Highlands.
Jane's father's cousin's widow Dorothy now lives here, and her daughter Amanda nearby. Dorothy took us in her little car all over the district in the afternoon and evening. Afternoon tea was at Gleneagles hotel, overlooking the croquet lawn and the golf courses. Dorothy filled us in on all her family news as she drove. She was very generous with her time and her house: we were invited back to her house for a delicious supper and reminisce.

... as Katie was right behind me and the appointments don't take too long. After my appointment I was a little more relaxed as I was getting a little uptight while driving because I knew that I was going to be late! Some things never change as I was usually running a little late or arriving just on time back home! After Perth we did a little shopping and jumped in the car to begin our unknown travels. We had a few ideas of placed we wanted to visit such as ...

... and my pictures don't do them justice! Then back on the bus to Pitlochery, but not before stopping at Edradour Distillery to see how single malt scotch whisky (no 'e') is made and sample a dram. It made me feel all warm! That afternoon after settling into the hostel I borrowed a walking guide and heading out to the Tay forest and Faskallywood as Pitlochry has a huge system of walking paths. Pitlochry is set in the base of a wide glen, like a valley, and ...