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Highlands
On the way to Glencoe, Highlands, Scotland, UK I was thinking of a title to call this blog. I think this title is an appropriate one because Scotland can be renowned for rain and, unsurprisingly, it was a rainy and drizzly day, when I took a
Timberbush Tours day trip around the Highlands.
I wanted to do this specific tour when I was in Edinburgh in January but it was sold out and I took the West Highlands one (See
Escaping to the Highlands!) instead. With hindsight it was probably best doing my first choice tour this time round because of the longer days.
After a sleepless night and early start, we left Edinburgh and, via Stirling, we had our first stop in Kilmahog where it started raining and never totally stopped for the rest of the day. When it stopped it was replaced with the odd drizzle here and there and the grey clouds were indefinite. At Kilmahog, it seems, like the other stops we made, that it seems to be the stop on every tour bus companies' itineraries as there were other tour buses parked up as well and the cafe and toilets faciliites were very busy! Afterwards, we drove through the Trossachs and Rob Roy Country up into
Glencoe
Highlands, Scotland, UK the Highlands.
We stopped at Glencoe, famous for its natural beauty and where Clan MacDonald was massacred in 1692. We took some photos before continuing on, via Loch Linnhe and Fort William, to Spean Bridge for lunch. Again, it was a typical tour buses' service stop with the impersonal facilities, limited choices and commercialised tourist shops with long queues at the restaurants being commonplace! I would have much preferred to have stopped at Fort William or even Fort Augustus for lunch at least and have some independence to explore individually. This is when it began to rain heavily which dampened my spirits even more.
From Spean Bridge, driving through the Great Glen and beneath Ben Nevis was beautiful despite the weather and we saw some amazing scenery. We drove along the Caledonian Canal and through Fort Augustus to reach the beginning of Loch Ness. On the Loch Ness shoreline, we stopped at Urquhart castle. We watched a short film at the Visitor Centre and learnt how Urquhart Castle's turbulent past and how it was the centre of the power struggles. The vulnerability of the situation resulted in the ruins especially the destruction to the gatehouse by the Jacobites
Great Glen
Highlands, Scotland, UK in the late 17th Century. I enjoyed exploring the ruins and admired the views of Loch Ness from various focal points.
Afterwards, we wandered round the ruins before catching our overrated lake cruise to Clansman Harbour. The cruise was shorter than anticipated in only taking half an hour to the harbour where we met our tour bus. The cruise was not anything special and the rain caved in! I think it would have been more enjoyable if we had better weather overall plus I was nursing a head cold and recovering, I thought, from a viral infection. I felt I did not get my money's worth as they were optional extras we had to pay for.
Loch Ness is synonymous with the monster. I am not convinced about Nessie but intrigued to learn more why many people believe that Nessie exists. Whilst in Edinburgh, on the following day, I went to the
3D Loch Ness Experience and it was interesting how Adrian Shine, a scientist and an expert on Loch Ness presented his findings and arguments on whether Nessie exists or not. The scientist encouraged us to make up our own conclusions and convictions. This simply reaffirms my opinion on the
Approaching Loch Ness
Highlands, Scotland, UK issue. I think people are convinced about Nessie and some will do whatever in their power to prove this.
Anyhow, after Loch Ness, we began our drive down south via Inverness, the Cairngorms, Grampian Mountains and stopping in Pitlochry for dinner - it was refreshing to stop in the Victorian town where there were choices of where we can eat and have the short time for ourselves. We eventually arrived back in Edinburgh around 8.30 pm.
In all it was a nice day out despite the weather and me not feeling 100% healthwise. Overall, it was a great Bank Holiday weekend in doing the day trip and enjoying Edinburgh. I look forward to returning to Scotland in the not too distant future.
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