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Published: September 27th 2016
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Skye Bridge
Not my image As I am returning the car today by 4pm in Inverness, I had to get an early start.
After checking out of the hostel, I grabbed something to eat and drove to Kyle of Lochalsh over the Skye Bridge. The drive was straight forward, but because of the narrow and winding roads, it took 2 hours. About 10 miles east of Kyle of Lochalsh is the small village of Dornie where three lochs meet, sitting on a island is the most photographed and picturesque castle in Scotland - Eilean Donan Castle.
Although, this castle was built in the thirteenth century, the many clashes between the Scots and the Brits destroyed the original structure. The castle that stands today was restored in the twentieth century. This castle was featured in many movies (including an Indian Hindi movie), most recently the James Bond movie, Skyfall. As I crossed the small bridge, I could hear bagpipes being played, to welcome the many tour buses. There is lots of information online for those interested to know more about this castle. I would have to say, this castle is definitely worth a stop and the price is not bad either.... and it is indeed
very picturesque.
I got back on the road and slowly made my way to Inverness, the "capitol" of the highlands. As I entered Inverness, there was traffic and it was bumper to bumper. Because of my visit to the castle and the traffic, I wan't able to drop off my luggage at the B&B as I had hoped. So, I drove directly to the car rental lot in the town center, it was a little nerve wracking to drive in traffic in a citified environment.
Now, without the car but with luggage, I decided to take the bus to the B&B. Thankfully, I was able to follow the route the bus was taking on my smartphone Google Maps, so I knew where to get off. In the meantime, I noticed an email from my B&B saying they might not be home when I planned to arrive. As I got close to the B&B, I fully expected to wait on the doorstep until they came back. As I knocked on the front door, imagine my surprise when the hostess opened the door a few minutes later. She had just made it back and was parking the car when she
saw me.
Once I checked in and settled my luggage, it was about 4:30pm....still plenty of daylight left. I got a city map from my hostess and made my way back to the town center across the pedestrian bridge. I immediately went to the Tourist Information Center before it closed and got the information I needed for tomorrow. Then I went to get something to eat and some much needed coffee. I relaxed and did some people watching as I enjoyed my coffee. Then I did a little bit of the self-guided walk of the town from my guidebook.
As it is after 5pm and everything but pubs and restaurants are closed and I was feeling tired, I made my way back to the B&B and watched TV. I meant to go out to a pub after 8pm to listen to some authentic Scottish music, but was too lazy so I settled in for the night.
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