We leave the highlands today, stop on the Isle of Skye and spend the night in Glasgow. I do not want to leave Scotland, but I'm excited to see Ireland. FYI, there are trout in Loch Ness and you can fish from the shore with no permit.
We sadly left Strathpeffer and traveled to the western Highlands. Henry's rich, musical, Irish accented voice launched into the story of the MacDonald Clan. He makes history come alive and then mixes in music playing The House of MacDonald, a lovely sad Scottish ballad. He has explained clans and chieftains well and encourages us to learn more.
At one point we were flying along a single lane winding road with pull overs to let people coming from the other way through. I'm glad I'm sitting in the back where I can't see and gasp. Bob is VERY glad I can't see.
We went through lush woods with moss covered rocks and ferns and on one stretch we had a shear rock wall on our left and a straight drop to a loch on our right. Guard rails? Oh no!
This part of the Western Isles was once ruled by Scandinavia and you can really see the influence as we came down the mountain to take the bridge to Isle of Skye. Here we heard the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and how Flora MacDonald saved him by disguising this handsome, tall young man as her maid.
The port village at Isle of Skye was beautiful and could have been along Lake Superior or Maine.
We stopped and walked and skipped stones on the beach. Then we traveled inland where the land was more barren peet bogs with hills, some pine forest and little white houses tucked in the glens.
We stopped and walked and skipped stones on the beach. Then we traveled inland where the land was more barren peet bogs with hills, some pine forest and little white houses tucked in the glens.
We stopped at the center for Clan MacDonald and had a latte and shortbread.
I could get used to this.
This is the Clan MacDonald Coat of Arms.
Then we drove on for the ferry back to the mainland.
As we drove, our new friends, John and Mary, presented us with a cute pair of clip on Koala Bears making us honorary Australians. We were very touched. What a fine time we are having!
I could get used to this.
This is the Clan MacDonald Coat of Arms.
Then we drove on for the ferry back to the mainland.
As we drove, our new friends, John and Mary, presented us with a cute pair of clip on Koala Bears making us honorary Australians. We were very touched. What a fine time we are having!
The ferry ride was fabulous with great scenery. We, of course, sat up on top with our Australian friends, Daryl and JoAnne, and then met a great couple traveling from York. We chatted and compared notes all the way sharing many laughs. They were traveling in a small, sporty red convertible. Wow!
We went through beautiful thick woods and up into the mountains with jagged rocks and lakes. We can't get enough. I hate to leave this country.
We stopped in Fort Williams and went into the woolen mills for lunch and a little time shopping. I could go crazy, but it is expensive to ship things, there are extra taxes here, and we don't have room to pack it. Bob is thrilled.
We climbed back up into snow and saw a ski lift and people hiking. We got out to walk around and take pictures of the weeping walls of waterfalls down the rock walls as we learned about the massacre of the MacDonalds. What violent times.
As we came down the mountain once more we passed some huge lakes. We learned that they are quite shallow and people fish for Arctic Char which is also found in Norway and Iceland. We love the Blue Bell flowers that carpet people's gardens and woods.
We went by resort areas on the lakes that looked like Northern Michigan with little cabins to rent. This rolling area is pretty and is called the Tossacks which is like a miniature version of the highlands.
We went by resort areas on the lakes that looked like Northern Michigan with little cabins to rent. This rolling area is pretty and is called the Tossacks which is like a miniature version of the highlands.
Then suddenly we were entering the suburbs of Glasgow and the mystical feeling was gone. It was interesting and historical, but it doesn't pull at my heart. Maybe it's good. My heart needs a rest. Until tomorrow...
