Caledonian Scenes
Friday
The Cameron House Hotel has spacious rooms and hallways, and pleasant views of Loch Lomond with beautiful clouds. An unidentified tourist found a lost baby, but left it for Mama, who was nearby. Fantastic blossoms. Extensive grounds, with security guards. Texas bloom and Scottish broom. (CN says it's neither broom nor gorse.) A nice walk to a high place provided this view up Loch Lomond. During our walk CN discovered James Bond, disguised as a tourist. Saturday
First stop, Luss, a village of flowers. The yellow one is broom. Then a photo stop in the Argyll Forest Park. The long white wandering road up the valley is called the road that goes nowhere. Rugged scenery. Thence to Inveraray (in-ve-ra-ra) Castle. On the Castle grounds, a tempting path.
Sunday
Sailing from Oban to Tobermory on a splendid day. Passing former Scottish residence and entering harbor. View from mooring. Important local person and her welcome committee. Sightseeing in Tobermory. Walking up steep road past a sign that is apparently a wee joke on the tourists. (A guide says she's never seen the shop open.) The Scots do not seem to understand that this is serious business. Then to an impressive religious structure high on the hillside, where there's a good view of our home away from home and some hillside gardens.
Monday From Tobermory by bus south on the Isle of Mull on one lane road, passing unfriendly Scot, to ferry crossing to rather wild Isle of Iona: scenes of ancient structure, rocks, and local residence. But, as always, a garden. An Abbey founded by St. Columba in 563 AD, and, in the courtyard, somewhat more recent sculpture. Then back on the ferry to the Isle of Mull and to restored Duart Castle, with remarkable views over the chimneys and from the parapet.
Tuesday Engines start at 5:00 AM for trip to the Caledonian Canal, at Fort William, and Neptune's Staircase, a flight of eight locks that raise the ship from Loch Linnhe to Loch Lochie. In the afternoon a gondola up Aonach Mor, and a strenuous walk to a hilltop for impressive but hazy views that didn't photograph very well.
Wednesday In the morning a scenic train to Mallaig and by ferry "over the isle to Skye", to Sleat (slate) on the southern end of the isle, known as "the garden of Skye". And what a garden. The pictures taken at Armadale Gardens say it better: the manicured walkways, the color, and the wildwoods are spectacular. These are Scottish Bluebells.
Thursday A cruise on Laggan's Avenue, a pleasant guest on board, and after lunch an excursion to Urquhart Castle, and a view of the Castle's catapult. More scenic wonders. Overnight at Fort Augustus.
Friday Vigilance on Loch Ness was rewarded when Nessie came alongside, but she submerged before the photographer could get a picture. Then at Cawdor Castle still more garden color and garden pathways.
Saturday At Blair Atholl Distillery a wee Scot offered a wee dram. And at Blair Castle a blossom, a walk up a wooded stream, and other memories.
Sunday From Edinburgh Castle, a fortress high above the city, along the Royal Mile, to the impressive tourist entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The guide says that it is the Queen's residence in Edinburgh, but she probably doesn't use this part. Then a pause for a respectful bow to a royal person. And so we bid a fond farewell, - - - and take the path that leads away and, ultimately, to Texas. |
