Blogs from Newtonmore, Inverness-shire, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

After a very busy period I finally got time again to make a next blog post! And what one it is, because I have seen a lot again and have been to many places. So, let’s start where I ended in my last blog, I have been to Beinn Eigh and it was very wet, but great! It basically rained down for the whole week that we have been there, causing a swamped polytunnel and very wet feet. Yep… because Nadine was so smart to take wellies with her who were not watertight and of course part of our job was outside in the rain! What we mostly did was replacing young scots pine that were ready to be planted outside, what a teamwork we did there! 20.000 plants in 3 days, I’d say that is ... read more

So I arrived in the country, that is so wild, and so hostile, that even the Romans didn't dare to cross it! Yes, you know I can only mean bonnie wee Scotland with that. (Btw I am referring to Hadrian’s Wall, that is still viewable and available for sightings in North-England) Might have to do with those blue painted crazy fellows walking around here back in the 100rds :P The travels itself are worth a whole separate chapter. I left home on time to go to Schiphol, not expecting so much traffic even for a Monday morning! It really was manic but luckily I arrived on time, and after the usual waiting for customs and security it was ready for take-off. In the cutest airplane btw, not many times that I have sat in a plane ... read more

Friday 28 August Bags and Breaky 7am Leave 8am We hopped on the bus and sadly, drove out of Edinburgh. There was lots of beautiful scenery as we headed up to the highlands. We stopped at St Andrew’s Golf course. This is one of the most famous and old golf courses around… and I couldn’t give a toss. It was great to see how excited some of the golfers were on the trip though. It was drizzling and wet, so some of us headed up to the café and had a glorious hot chocolate - filled with cream and marshmallows. We drove a short way to Pitlochry for lunch. It was a lovely, quaint town, perfect for a tourist lunch stop. I had a toasted ham and cheddar Panini. I bought myself some celtic earrings from ... read more

Saturday had us on the B9152 to Kingussie for the Highland Wildlife Park. It had a variety of animals that included polecats, red deer mouflon, pine marten, capercaillie, artic fox, snowy owl, elk, bison, sheep, horse and cattle. First was a drive through the park with an audio CD. Then we got a guided tour for the Forest Habitat where the guide fed a pine marten and then went in a cage to feed the wildcats and polecats. Kind of scary. We finished the rest on our own. The Highland Folk Museum has 2 parts; one in Kingussie which we visited first, and a larger one in Newtonmore. This one opened in 1944 and had indoor collections like old furniture, household items, tools and buildings including a Smokehouse, Clack Mill and Blackhouse. There was also a ... read more