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Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Inverness-shire » Isle of Skye November 7th 2023

Picture perfect Plockton, a beautiful village we decided to stop at on our way to the Isle of Skye. We’d found Plockton by chance a few years ago, it sits on the banks of Loch Carron and I can’t imagine a more perfect view. Unsurprisingly it has been the setting for the series Hamish Macbeth, and some scenes in the film The Wicker Man. On the far side of the bay sits Duncraig Castle, having an unusual history told in part in by a BBC documentary in 2002 when 17 family members moved in together and set about renovating it, apparently there were lots of disputes! Currently the castle is in private ownership, but it still has its own train station! Heading on around the coast we arrive at the Kyle of Lochalsh, and the bridge ... read more
Skye
Aurora watch Skye
Portree

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Ross and Cromarty » Gairloch November 1st 2023

Even though we are approaching deepest winter with autumn gales kicking in, and campsites closing. We are amazed to see so many visitors from abroad, either in their own vans or hiring them. Following an early morning walk along Dunnet Beach we head west towards the other major town in Caithness, Thurso. It seems to fair better than Wick does. We just had a drive around the town, also a glimpse of the most northerly railway station. (Just two trains a day) then had a look at delightfully named place Scrabster you can catch a ferry to the Orkneys. We hope to do this sometime in the future. On this northern coast we are more protected from the easterly winds that have been buffeting us so far. We pass the Castle of Mey, a fortified house ... read more
Smoo Caves
Beautiful Scotland
Talmine

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Caithness County » John O'Groats October 29th 2023

We’re on the NC500! a route we’ve been wanting to take for some time, the glorious coast of the wild Highlands. Launched in 2015 by North Highland Tourism, it was intended to be Scotland’s route 66, bringing much needed income to businesses in the remote Highlands. A circular route, north of Inverness. All seemed to be well until ‘lockdown’ and staycations of 2020/21, causing a huge increase in campervans and motorhomes driving the route. We were aware there had been some bad press about motorhomes undertaking the NC500, poor thoughtless driving and camping, making for some really fed-up locals. However, we only found fabulous scenery and friendly people. Its quite a challenge heading into the Highlands at the end of October, most of the campsites are shut so it was a matter of negotiating some ‘off ... read more
John O Groats
Castle Girnigoe Sinclair
Dornach Beach

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Inverness-shire » Culloden October 25th 2023

Leaving Edinburgh, we cross the modern Queensferry bridge with its wonderful views of the Forth. Most of this trip around Scotland will be sticking along the Coast. Turning onto the A92, soon we directed to scenic coastal route that would take us along the Fife’s coast. Although a low-lying area, there are many pleasant villages and harbours to explore. One was Crail a pretty village with its small harbour and cobbled streets. Afters the storm of the last few days it was great to see the sunshine, the wind was still blowing making for wonderful seascapes. Our next stop was Saint Andrews. Famed for Scotland’s oldest University, where Prince Willam and Kate Middleton met, and of course the home of golf where there are some of the best courses in the world. We camped at the ... read more
Crail harbour
Ali dancing at the Highland games!
Monument Culloden

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Midlothian » Edinburgh October 21st 2023

Finally arrived in Edinburgh, a couple of weeks later than planned, just ahead of Storm Babet. Expecting the worst, we donned our macs and headed into the city. What a great city to explore, transport was plentiful, and I loved walking the Royal mile in old town. Its no wonder JK Rowling drew inspiration for Hogwarts here, with the turreted, dark stone architecture. It was a race to the castle as we were informed it would be closed tomorrow (due to the storm), we arrived just in time for the 1pm gun salute. The crowds gathered to see a man in uniform light an old WW2 Field gun, which was a little disappointing as I was expecting a cannon! We queued to see the Honours of Scotland (crown jewels) which were impressive, but most atmospheric was ... read more
Inside the parliament building-Holyrood House.
Britannia
First stop Edinburgh Castle

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Midlothian October 8th 2023

Today we decided to catch the hop on hop off bus, which is just a block from our hotel. Now I’ve ridden this bus line more than once, and had an idea of the route it should take. I noticed right off we weren’t taking any particular route. It seemed like we were just randomly driving around. Eventually the driver announced that there was a big event in town and several of the roads were closed. I honestly thought the bus company should’ve had a disclaimer on their website before people bought their tickets. We certainly saw some parts of town that I’ve never seen before. I will say no matter where are you go in London there are beautiful buildings and gardens to look at. Actually, some of the prettiest decorated buildings are the pubs. ... read more
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Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » East Lothian October 7th 2023

Edinburgh, Scotland, September 29 - October 5, 2023 Well that's a visit never to be repeated....apologies to Edinburgh lovers.... Are there any other kind of shop besides ones flogging souvenirs made in foreign lands. While looking for tartan scarves one had to double and triple check that the scarf was made a) from real wool from Scot sheep and b) that it was manufactured on Scot soil. Princes Street is either missing a second 's' or an apostrophe. Some bus stops are so far apart one might as well walk. Let it be said that once the bus schedule is cracked there is enjoyment in bus travel....OK....so its on the other side of the road ...and that must be remembered when going here or there ... and even though per ride it was not cheap at ... read more
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Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Shetland October 6th 2023

Saturday, September 23, 2023, Lerwick The first workshop has been completed. It was a weaving project that once profeciency was attained could possibly produce a “snood” which in ontario english is a cowl. To get to the Sport Complex we asked the bus driver about Broch of Clickimin thinking that the two were one and the same thing. Of course the Broch is a bronze age structure and the sports centre bears its name. Let the walking begin. Luckily we had enough time for myself to hobble behind Sherry and get there in time for two o'clock. And what an impressive sports centre it turned out to be...what a pool. Children of all ages were enjoying the water slide, large swim instructing pool and the spacious snack bar sesrving soup,crisps, salads and drinks. Sherry and I ... read more
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Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Midlothian October 6th 2023

Today our goal was to get as much sightseeing done because there was the threat of rain in the afternoon. We walked through the Grassmarket area, up Victoria Street, and to the Royal Mile, where we had breakfast at the Deacon’s House Cafe. Chrissy and I had eaten here before and loved the food so Nanci and I decided to have breakfast there. I had the Deacon House platter with haggis sausage and Nanci had smoked salmon cream cheese bagel. We shared the haggis sausage, which was so good. We had tickets to enter the castle at noon. We had also ask for the Taxi to take us to the top of the castle so Nanci didn’t have to walk. It was pretty awesome, driving to the top as we went through a tunnel that is ... read more
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Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland October 5th 2023

We arrived in the Edinburgh Airport right on time. We asked for a wheelchair for Nanci as we thought it would be so much easier for her to get through the airport. The mobility assist people were waiting for us. The only problem they wait together for all those passengers needing mobility assistance whether us 2 or 20 and they move them together. So that means waiting, and waiting, and waiting. As people were getting off on he plane and heading to border control the lines were getting longer and longer. I did notice that they seemed to be moving very fast, though. However no worries for us…the mobility assist people took us right through to an empty line and we were through in less than 5 minutes!! Our mobility assistants were excellent. One pushed the ... read more
Nanci’s wheelchair driver
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Our taxi driver




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