Saturday 16th August
Set off on my Haggis tour of Scotland this morning. Our first day is headed north towards Loch Ness. I have to get used to the very different style of tour, rather than driving for a day before we reach our destination, our destination is the drive! Our first stop was at Dunkeld Cathedral, a gorgeous little spot with amazing grounds along the River Braan. As we continued north we stopped at a few waterfalls, creeks, lakes etc. The scenery is just beautiful if only if wasn't so ridiculously cold & wet.
We arrived in St Augustus (a cute little town at the southern point of Loch Ness) and were treated to a traditional kilt & weaponry show. Inside a traditional home, we were shown how kilts are traditionally worn (& how to put them on) and a display of the weapons the Scots used back in the day.
I had my first taste of Haggis tonight! It was actually really tasty (although it was only the stuffing of chicken covered in sauce but totally fine with me). After dinner we went out on our Loch Ness cruise. It was very cool being out on the Loch and it was lovely at sunset. The water is just so black that I'm not surprised there is such a mystery surrounding it. (Just in case anyone was fooled ;) or confused by the photo... they have a little sticker on the window of the boat so you can take photos of the Loch Ness Monster in the water... this is what tourists live for right!? Haha)
Sunday 17th August
Well if I thought the weather yesterday was bad, today has proven me wrong. The scenery & places we are visiting are so amazing but it is hard to enjoy it when you're freezing! The wind is like ice & it just won't stop raining. Think it makes it worse that it is warmer at home in Winter than it is here in Summer! Apparently this isn't normal for August though, I'm just lucky...
Anyway, today we drove up the length of Loch Ness, through Inverness, and stopped for more waterfalls and amazing views. We visited the 'Summer House', the little cottage in the forest where JM Barry apparently wrote Peter Pan and the oldest native Scotish tree (which is older than Australia has been colonised!) So of course we gave it a hug for good luck. I walked on the old Invermoriston bridge and met some hairy coos, then we stopped at a massive souvenir store and I found the Ferguson clan tartan and the history of (apparently we are responsible for the Scottish flag!). Also along the way we stopped at old castles, battle grounds and an ancient Pagan cemetery and of course a whiskey distillery (the largest independent one in Scotland). Still don't like whiskey but it was nice & warming ;)
Monday 18th August
This morning we made a stop to plant some native trees, it's an initiative Haggis supports as Scotland is overrun with Canadian pines and other 'foreign' vegetation so they are trying to reintroduce the native plants.
We crossed over the the Isle of Skye and drove through stopping to see the many amazing views. We stopped at Eilean Donan Castle and Loch Alsh, we saw so many amazing views, waterfalls (the benefit of so much rain) and coastline/cliffs.
Tuesday 19th August
Finally good weather today! Makes the scenery that must more enjoyable and therefore breathtaking. Photos don't nearly do it justice! Our first stop of the day was at the Well of the Seven Heads (a monument to an apparently true tale of 7 brothers being beheaded after they murdered 2 brothers, another classic Scot tale of the fight for power). Interesting monument where I, along with 2 other girls, were almost left! Literally, the bus left wothout us when we went down to see the actual well! Thankfully the other girls had another friend on the bus that raised the alarm and they came back and got us just as we realised the bus had left. THAT would have been an interesting story and a bit of paperwork for Haggis!
Next stop was a view of the Monument of the Unknown Soldier (not a monument to those who lost their lives in war like in every other country but one to those who lost their lives because they were killed in the search for a Scotish traitor; there was such a high bounty on his head that anyobe who looked like him was killed in an attempt to claim!). From here though there was also a fantastic view of the Harry Potter bridge! Haha and to continue our Harry Potter experience we found the train itself! If only it was off to Hogwarts ;)
We drove around the Ben Nevis mountain and 'North Face' (surprise, the northern face of the mountain). Running down the mountain is a set of 5 massive pipes, the Porridge Pipes. I actually have no idea what they're for but our tour guide, Andy, told us they are a constant free supply of porridge to all (each pipe a different flavour)... haha a random funny story but what a great service... the way to end world hunger maybe!? ;)
Our last stop for the day was at THE Bravehart hill/mound. I'm a little ashamed to admit that I've never actually seen the movie but had to get the photos on top anyway.
Tonight we are staying in a little town called Oban. It is super cute and has a lovely little wharf area. We enjoyed a traditional Ceilidh tonight (Scotish singing & dancing). It was lots of fun and I think one of the highlights of Scotland).
Well no wonder I'm having trouble keeping up with this, just realised I'm writing sooo much more detail than when I started!
Wednesday 20th August
Lots more amazing views today and even some sunshine as we make our way back to Edinburgh. A few stops before we get there though, first to meet Hamish, the oldest Hairy Coo in the UK (he was a baby when they culled them all because of mad cow disease but he was saved). And finally, of course we stopped at the National William Wallace monument.
Once we were back in Edinburgh it was an abrupt end to tour as we were dropped roadside and everyone went in their different directions. We had a really good group on tour (& I finally found the other Brisbane people in Europe!), it's a shame it was only 5 days but that is the beauty of the Facebook era!
Thursday 21st August
I wasn't sure where I was headed to next so a couple of people recommended visiting St Andrews, a small town north of Edinburgh. After arriving and making my travel plans to get to Northern Ireland, I explored the town which is the 'home of golf'. It really is a beautiful little town, reminded me a bit of Newcastle (although smaller and with ancient castle ruins and cathedrals on the coastline).
Staying in my own room tonight! So nice to curl up and enjoy a nice quiet night in watching a movie! I've been away for 3 months today! I am enjoying it and have already seen so much but it's really starting to feel 'normal' now... not just an extended holiday.
Friday 22nd August
Walked down to the beach this morning, past the famous St Andrews golf course, then caught the bus up to Dundee. Dundee is apparently Scotlands 4th largest city or something but it's a bit dated. Just stayig here for the night as it's more easily connected to the ferry for Northern Ireland.
I had a wander around and ended up at a little community theatre showing a play of Steal Magnolias. It was very amateur but entertaining none the less.
Saturday 23rd August
A long travel day today, starting with a bus to Glascow where I had a quick look around & got some lunch (does that classify as another city visited?), then a bus to Cairnryan to get the ferry across to Belfast.
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