Hi to all from Bonnie Scotland,
After pottering along on some scenic skinny roads, we arrived at the Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond at a Caravan site at LUSS, Terry’s in at reception, and to his amazement he is told that our International Camping Card is not valid. It has been used and approved on countless occasions, SHE, behind the desk, didn’t like the fact that our card is hand written, ( a bit antiquated, but thats how they do it at N.R.M.A. at the Central Coast office - Sydney) SHE, behind the desk, decided that the Landlord would not approve!! - after a polite exchange of words and ME saying this is very UN-SCOTTISH - HER Leprechaun of a husband all 5ft of him asked ME to leave the office, and I nicely said back to him NO!!!!!!!! He shrunk back behind the desk. We had already pre-paid for 2 days, so we had to wait for a refund. We left and ended up at another site on the other side of the loch called MILAROCCHY BAY, they could not understand the fuss and either could the Customer relations fellow that rang us back, we had to sort this out for further usage. All O.K. Those other DILLS missed out on 40 pounds, I’m sure the landlord would be happy about that!!!!
Where we ended up was right next to Loch Lomond and very pretty.
Next stop was TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK at LOCH KATRINE, we paid 10 pound for a 24hr pass plus an ovenite stay in the car park, we cycled about 20 miles in total, too many steep climbs, easy going down, realy tough coming back up.
Beautiful scenery through patches of sunlight. That night the local goats set off the restaurant perimeter alarms 3 TIMES !!!!! It would finally reset itself after 20 minutes and finally we could get back to sleep. I was talking to an employee next day and he said they can’t even grow any flowers/shrubs in pots as the goats eat everything but the grass,however they were very cute.
The Alarm culprits.
Next site at OBAN, campsite in a Victorian Walled Garden, big wooden gates closed you in at night, we cycled on what pathways we could, too dangerous on the road (they have a National Cycle route but it’s often broken and you have to use the road). You would think with all this cycling we would be Trim,Taught, and Terrific but alas NO as we enjoy our drinks and home cooked food. We can’t even call our drinks Sundowner’s as it doesn’t get dark till 10.45pm and its lite again at 3.45am, my Qantas eyeshades come in very handy.
We are back on the coast again at a C.L. site (farm) overlooking the Ocean. God we love it!!!!!! It’s so good to feel sand between your toes again, its a little nippy though, wetsuits are the beach attire. I’m sitting outside H.H. watching some sail boats/yachts thinking - I’m so glad its them not us - been there done that. It was pouring with rain on our journey here.
Waterfalls everywhere, the terrain is so hilly it was gushing from every crevice - and so many heavy trucks on the road. We stopped off on the way at the historic town of FORT WILLIAM for some supplies.
Beachfront apartment on the West Coast of Scotland
The scenery here was spectacular.
Next day we head off for the ISLE OF SKYE - onto a car ferry & 30 mins later here we are, great trip across. Our first stop was at SLIGACHAN campsite.
The weather in Scotland changes dramatically, its truly beautiful. Next day we follow the coast road and naturally they are all built for Morris Minors.
We find a lay by on a cliff top, put the kettle on for a cup of tea (cause we could) and a Scottish shortbread and watched the ever changing landscape and the undulating ocean below.
The sun is shinning, the view spectacular.
I must tell you there are more things on the road than just scary trucks, there are now SHEEP & DEER !!!!!!!!!!
They just wander about on the verges/middle of the road - no wonder I have developed Cold Sores, I haven’t had one in years, maybe, I should wear the Qantas shades sitting in the passenger seat ( remember we are left hand drive = left hand side of the road.
Moving back down the coast again we end up at the EILEAN DONAN CASTLE. It was great to see the real thing other than a post card. There was a young fellow busking at the entrance in full kilt etc. playing his Bag Pipes (fantastic). LOCH DUICH stunning. Terry worked on a Singapore Airlines commercial here back in 1985 (he thinks!)
That night we stayed close by and the nights entertainment was a FREE RANGE CHOOK, confronting two innocent backpackers on his turf!!! This girl was frightened and was backed up against a fence, with horror on her face challenged by a chook ( mind you she could of been a prize winning layer ). We sat in H.H. and watched this !!!! Till, Terry being gallant, called a truce with 2 slices of bread, the free range willingly gave up and chose the food presented, ate and wandered off into the distance, happy! The girls then reluctantly put up their minuscule tent, all was quiet.
Thanks to reading “Diana Gabaldon” books, fiction with some fact and also our limited history lessons, we went to the CULLODEN BATTLEFIELDS. Just looking at the lay of the land and the vegetation which they are trying to turn it back to its natural state, it obviously was a very fierce battle in 1746.
The vegetation alone is very boggy, so wet, full of thistles,and scratchy shrubs, and other bitey things, the Highlanders were slaughtered, they are still finding bits of amunition, musket balls, metal bits, buttons off coats etc.They were tough times.
We have covered a lot of ground in Scotland and its beautiful, the Lochs are unbelievable, we couldn’t stop at Loch Ness as there were lots of Buses and tourist cars everywhere, just too hard, we’ll try next time.
Loch Duich from our campsite.
We drove into EDINBURGH for a look see, this also will have to be next time around, we are slowly working our way south again.
I had my first drive of H.H. today on a disused runway,(Top Gear and Sig…., eat your heart out!), excellent, but everything was on the wrong side, went to change gear with left hand but needed right, funny feeling, don’t think I’m ready to tackle the main roads yet, as I don’t think the general driving public would be ready for me, YIKES. !!!!!
Also went to the local markets and then onto The Scottish National Museum of Flight.
This is situated on an airfield used in WW1 and WW2, very impressive. amongst others their Military & Civil Aviation hangers were great, also the “Concorde” hangar to which you could go onboard.
it cruised at Mach 2, very claustrophobic inside. Terry had to duck right down to enter, very narrow aisles & seating, the cockpit was mind boggling with hundreds of dials and looking very confined, unbelievable.
They called it sleek sophistication, I called it, tiny & cramped, a great day out & about with a bit of history thrown in.
Terry thought he had spotted a cheap helicopter, but thought the spare parts might be a problem!
Anyway, will be crossing back over the border next couple of days and will write then.
Love to all, Susie,Terry = H.H. x x x
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