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We left early to make our way to the top of Scotland. Our first stop was officially Glennaffrick. But this happened after the unofficial stop where our tour guide Carol/Peggy decided driving away with the bus luggage door open was a bad idea and had to run back down the road to ensure we hadn't lost any luggage. So to ensure we all had as much morning exercise, she took us tomthe official spot of Glenaffrick where we climbed the mountain and saw an incredible view! It was a good way to wake up after a long night and we all felt better after a walk (or most of us did). One clan member may have had a little too much alcohol and was pretty seedy... (it wasn't me) but still managed to clamber up. Bonus points for a gallant rally!
We then visited a whisky distillery where unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos. But each area we visited had its own distinct smell. Some were pleasant, some really weren't. It at one time reminded me of the smells in Roterua in New Zealand. Onother interesting fact - through the distilling process, over the many years it takes to
make whisky, about 20% evaporates and the Scotish believe that this is the Angel's share. The trees wood and brickwork outside of their distillery are darkened from this evaporation process into the air. We did get a taste tester at the end though and WOW it was firey at 10ish in the morning. Can't say straight whisky would be my favourite drink, but I felt like I got a "taste" of Scotland, most certainly! Haha
After a delicious dehli lunch at Beuly we visited the Corrieshalloch Gorge and bridge for a stroll through the walkways littered with tiny waterfalls and fairy glens galore, it was almost dreamlike. The gorge itself was incredible. Quite an easy walk down to see it, only 7 people allowed on the bridge at a time and workmen where underneath doing repairs at the time which was a little worrying but they reassured us that it was safe to walk across! There was another viewing platform from a path further on the otherside. The photos don't do it justice. Such an amazing find in Scotland, unexpected beauties crop up everywhere in the highlands, it is amazing.
We then made our way to the North
West point of the mainland to visit the town of Ullapool. Carol, our guide, told us that this town was originally formed when England took over Scotland many many ages ago and banned the original Scotish peole from living in the highlands any longer. They also banned their original language Gaelic (pronounced Garlic not to be mistaken for the Irish Gaelic which is different), banned the wearing of the traditional tartan and playing of bagpipes. Basically took everything off them, their lands, their ways, their traditiinal culture, sent them to the coastal outlying districts and expected the Scotish people to adapt and instantly become fishermen after being highland sheep farmers for eons. Amazingly, they did recover and adapt but I can understand better why the Scotish people want so badly to be their own country and not part of Britian. They have had a very tulumtuous relationship over the years.
Ullapool is famous for its fish and chips so we grabbed some before jumping on the ferry for the Isle of Lewis and Harris. This was such a gorgeous town right on the harbour with gorgeous views and cute nick nack shops. My favourite was "Tea by the Sea"
(vanilla cake was delicious, paticularly the icing, yum). We were incredibily lucky to have a clear afternoon for our trip to Stornaway, as we ate our very scrumptious fish and chips from the top deck. Max decided to get a cup of tea, which would have normally not been overly exciting, but it was so ridiculously windy in deck so if he stood the wrong way, the tea was literally blowing out the side of his cup and hitting him either in the face as he drank it or lapping at his jacket or landing in his saucer. Hilarious afternoon!
We had a quiet evening eating in and watching Sid teach the other guys his numerous Monopoly rules, and we learnt that Matthew had never played before! So all the girls and I crammed ourselves into the same tiny but cosy common room to watch dirty dancing. It was such a pjama, slumber party moment and the guys all laughed at as cooing over Patrick Swayzee. Right in the middle of the movie where they are praciting the lift move in the water and all the girls are glued with gooey eyes to Swayzee's amazing physique, one of us
said "isn't this is just the most amazingly romantic and memorable moment in the whole movie?" and before anyone could answer Matthew who was still struggling with Sids Monopoly rules got overly frustrated and said "this is just stupid". Hahaha It was completely accidental but so hilarious and the whole common room errupted into giggles and laughter. We then had to explain to Matthew what question he had actually answered!
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