Scotland
Trip Start
Apr 15, 2008
1
4
59
Trip End
Apr 01, 2010
Inverness,
Scotland,
United Kingdom
Friday, May 2, 2008
After leaving a very wet North of England we were pleasantly surprised to arrive in sunny Glasgow. Julie is a fan of Rennie Mackintosh and afternoon cream teas! so what better venue than the Willow Tearooms in Sauchiehall Street. I plumped for the Cullen Skunk, a very tasty soup of leeks, smoked haddock and creamy milk, top marks for both! After lunch we drove out to Helensburgh to view Hill House. This is said to be the best example of Mackintosh's work on a residential property. We can vouch that it is an amazing piece of architecture and interior design.
Our abode for the night was a nicely situated B & B over-looking Loch Lomond, we had great views of the loch and the Trossacks from our elevated position. One of our favorite haunts at home is the Loch Fyne Restaurant, having been informed by our host that the original Loch Fyne restaurant was only half an hours drive we headed off
Scotland
. Wow what a drive, the scenery was just amazing. The restaurant is situated, you guessed it, on Loch Fyne. We were not disappointed, superb food, great wine & excellent service in a great setting over-looking the Loch, perfect! (Tracy D, I know we are on a budget but it was my Birthday!)Our trip up from Loch Lomond took us through some stunning scenery, Glen Coe was splendid, topped by snow capped mountains it looked wonderful, we could n't help thinking about the terrible slaughter which took place here, when the Campbell's after befriending the McDonald's for two weeks then turned traitors and slaughtered 38 of the Clan.
We crossed the Skye Bridge onto the Isle of Skye. Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides, a sizable island (50 miles long) with some very impressive scenery. The island has 12 mountains over the magical 3000 ft. They take on a misty mood in the evenings when they are covered in a blue haze like appearance, along with the lochs. In the day time it is the strange shaped rock formations which impress one as you tour the island; two of mention are the Old Man of Storr, an obelisk like outcrop of rock and the Kilt Rocks which are a line of vertical cliffs up on the North coast.
Scotland 1
Our journey from the Isle of Skye over to our cottage on the Cairngorm Mountain range, took us past Loch Ness, this is the longest Loch in Scotland, and the one where the famous Loch Ness monster lives, we kept a look out but no sign off him/her today!
From our cottage we were able drive a few miles to pick up The Wildcat Trail, a 10k orbital trail which has some striking views of the surrounding snow capped mountains, half of the trail following the course of the River Spey. With lambing seasoning fully under way we were fortunate enough to witness a new lamb entering the world. A much enjoyed trek, that must have burnt off a few calories surely!?
Comments
Dotty Scotty
Hi Andy and Julie
Makes me feel home sick reading your review on Scotland. Everyone I talk to is logging into your site and love your reviews. Hope you're both well and getting as nice weather as we are here in England (well nearly as nice - it's never that warm in Scotland !).
Dotty X
budgets
remember the budget won't count on July 4th Julie, book somewhere expensive!
tRACY
Back from Machu Picchu
Well, the Inca trail has to be on the list! The second best thing I've done sfter visiting the Taj Mahal. You need to be fit though as it is a tough 44k but we managed it no problem. You must not cheat and get the train to the Sun Gate, that is definitely a cop out and you don't get the same effect.
The Galapagos islands were also totally fab, but might just break the budget! Met a couple who had been travelling since September so was just totally jealous.
Have fun.
Love Gill x