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Published: November 3rd 2023
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Swilcan Bridge
St Andrews Golf Course 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 top of the hill and walked around the town, I couldn’t resist having a picture on the Swilcan Bridge of the ‘Old Course’. Surprisingly, I know there wasn’t any play going on, but I was amazed to see many people criss-crossing the hallowed turf as though it was an ordinary park.
Moving on we passed Dundee; I was tempted to stop to
explore HMS Discovery ,ship of the ill fated Scott expedition and also have my photo with statue of Desperate Dan of Beano and Dandy fame. The publishers of both are based in this town. The heavy rained dissuaded us from both.
Stopping overnight at Forfar we met with family and had a visit to Glamis Castle where the Queen Mother was raised. Parts of the grounds had suffered because of the storm but it was lovely to have a stroll around.
We head inland to pick up the A93 that would take us through Cairngorms National Park stopping briefly for lunch at Braemar home of the highland games, then past the Royal Residence of Balmoral.
This is truly a beautiful part of Scotland. We are now going over the high Cairgorms, ‘the snow route’ you can tell this by the snow poles on the side of the road. The beauty of van life is you pitch in some unique places. Some not so good but this next one was a gem. A nice little spot where Tomintoul Bowling club had made pitches with electric hook available to about 8 campers, it was a nice town too.
We are heading toward Inverness, where just south of is Culloden where the famous battle was fought and the last one to be fought in Britain. I don’t know why, possibly because previous visitor centres were pretty quiet, maybe the time of year - but Culloden visitors centre was heaving!, especially with tourists from around the globe. It was a good visitors centre too, with interactive displays, and a thorough telling of the battle.
I’m not one for having guided tours, seen to many participants suffering in pouring rain, or the scorching sun. But when faced with just a field you need some one to bring it to life. We weren’t disappointed, a young guide bought the events to life. I’d heard of Jacobite’s, Bonny Prince Charlie and the battle. But like many people thought it was a straightforward battle between the English and Scots. There were French, Irish and other nationalities on both sides too. We learned also how the two sides came to meet in such unsuitably boggy battlefield. Together with our visit to Holyrood Place in Edinburgh we have a greater knowledge of this part of Sottish history.
We stop outside Inverness on the banks
of the Beauly Firth ready for one of main aims in Scotland travelling the North Coast 500.
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