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Published: February 25th 2013
Free tour? Is this for real? That's what I thougth when seeing the review for this tour in tripadvisor. I've been checking how to best visit the Scottish highland in a safe way, given not many public transportations are running.
So this time, I joined the Hairy Coo tour, which is tip based only. So you can pay whatever amount you want. Although they did kind of set up expectations by saying how much their competitors charged, how much does it cost for them to run the tour, etc.
First stop is the Forth Bridge where basically old and new bridges spanned side by side. The old one looked more sturdy though. Russel the guide was also the driver and I'm impressed by his ability to multitask which doesn't come natural for most guys. In the journey I know more about Scotland history. For example, why Scotland is willing to merge to UK is basically due to economic reasons but there will be referendum in 2014 to decide whether they will split from UK or not.
We drove by Stirling Castle but unfortunately was not given chance to go inside. We did stopped longer at William Wallace monument
where you have to hike 10 mins uphill to get rewarded with great city views. Sounds familiar? Yup he was the one in Braveheart the movie. But as heart touching the movie was (I cried before), historically it was a total mess. Isabella that was portraited as his love interest, would still be the age of 3 at that time. How he was executed apparently was more gut wrenching in reality, with sequence of 4 body breaking, intestine put on fire while awake, penis cut before finally dragged by horses to 4 different directions. Gosh, now I understand why I was educated that the most respectable way to slaughter an animal is to make death as quick as possible. I was hungry so I bought cheese sandwich and salad just before the bus left. Then I realized the waitress made fatal error and putting HAM in the sandwich, making it inedible for me. Hhhh.....
Next is Doune Castle which is closed. Looks like a box. Not very fairy taley.
Afterwards we got a long 1 hour stop at a small town called Callander. Its basically one main road town. Very small. What's interesting is that they have so
The "Boxie" Doune Castle
Definitely not the castle that inspired Walt Disneymany salvation army shops. You can buy shoes, bags and even wedding dresses in incredible prices. Of course its only second hand items. What's famous is their haddock and chips which I can't take due to the ale batter. But lots of people seem to enjoy it. All week long my throat is sore and cough blood. I finally found a drug store but the pharmacist just went for lunch 10 mins before and the lady is not able to sell the medication to me due to some law. Hhhh today is not my lucky day.
Next is Loch Katherine, not Loch Ness. Its basically a lake.... Although looking at it, I don't really see what's so special about it.... Then we also went to Queens viewpoint and Dave Marshall (mini) waterfall. Gosh, its way harder to impress me now is it? I travelled a bit too much I guess.
We had another stop at a small town where I settle to a cough medication with lemon flavour. Doesn't seem to help but I'd just have to make do with it for now. But, apparently my bad luck streek is not over. When stepping out of the bus,
I accidentally dropped the plastic bag and broke both the yoghurt and cough medicine I just bought. Aaargh. I don't know what to say but since getting that
free lunch in Wagamama , it is as if I'm not blessed enough.
For a girl that tends to get lucky on her vacations – a string of bad luck is astonishing. Need proof of my “travel luck”? How about
12 rainbows in a day in Norway? Or that
clear blue sky across South Island NZ (including the ever rainy Milford Sound)? Or flight discount that happened exactly when I was about to purchase my ticket – TWICE! So yeah, I’m a bit worry with this “bad luck” trend. Especially in a solo trip like this.
The tour has ended and I paid 25 GBP because their operational cost is 17. Overall I think its a good way to see Scotland countryside but then again there's not that much to see to be honest. New Zealand is still unbeatable for road trips.
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James
non-member comment
my hometown
It appears you have visited my hometown Stirling :) I completely agree with you. Stirling and Scotland in general is beautiful, but not spectacular. There are waterfalls, castles, rivers and other things but nothing as big and beautiful as other places. For instance waterfall in Scotland.... I can not think of a big beautiful waterfall. But I went to Hunter NY, usa. and there I found myself at the edge of a HUGE waterfall, and a couple foot away from a wild black bear (I was drunk and would never have been that close otherwise). So don't get me wrong. I love my country, but there is alot better out there. I cannot wait to visit these places.