Our trip back from Colonsay was in spectacular sunshine. It was a much bigger ferry, having collected people and cars from the Isle of Islay. Organising a large number of cars to fit in a small space was entertaining to watch and amongst the vehicles was the Colonsay garbage truck. It was my car that got upset on the way back, with the screen telling me ‘attempted theft’. Of course lots of people would try and steal a car on a boat in the middle of the water surrounded by Scottish Islands.
I drove Jane back to Inverness through the Great Glen. No matter how many times I drive that road (a few times on this trip), it is just awe inspiring. Inverness was busy; but I guess it was Saturday night. I went for a long walk around the Isle of Ness, up to the castle, and then to a nice small Italian restaurant.
I wanted to be a bit closer to Glasgow for my flight home so had booked accommodation in a small guest house on Loch Lomond. I had planned a day of druids and witches so turned the car toward Culloden. It is always fantastic when you come across something unexpectedly. Despite visiting Culloden on a number of times, I had never visited the Clava Cairns and standing stones. It was only a wee drive past the battlefield down a tiny road. The unexpected, was the amazing viaduct just before I reached the Cairns.
The Cairns were in a beautiful location, quite remote, and I was the only one wandering through these fascinating stone creations surrounded by standing stones. Their true purpose is unknown but like many other Bronze Age sites the sun does intriguing things at ‘those’ times of the year. I had visions of the bed sheeted invernessians out in full flight at the Beltane.
From Druids to witches and Macbeth’s fantastic Cawdor Castle. I really enjoyed wandering through the rooms, as unlike many of the National Trust buildings, this one was a home. I enjoyed the contemporary signs of family life amongst the family stuff from the 1400s. The gardens were lovely and the dowager was wandering around. I so enjoyed sitting in her beautiful garden with the Scottish sun blaring down.
Putting all faith in the GPS (hmmm a risky move), I set the course for Arrochar on Loch Lomond. It was all good as I headed out on the road to Aberdeen. I knew it would be a long drive by Scottish standards; about three and a half hours. The first bit was all good but then the trusty GPS had me do a really sharp right. More goat tracks for about 60km, but this time incredibly winding bends. The only good thing was that no-one else’s GPS had the same thought. I did, however, get to drive past some pretty fantastic thatched cottages. Whilst you can see that many of the buildings here would have been thatch at some point, most have ‘new’ roofs of Scottish slate.
By the time I pulled into Fascadail House I had had enough. The scenery was once again gorgeous but I was well and truly ready for restorative tea.
I am sitting in the Village Inn, another traditional Scottish pub. Whitewashed walls, low beams and great food. It is pretty good when you walk along the Loch to dinner. I am really going to miss the Scottish seafood; have pretty well lived on it the whole time here. I am about an hour from Glasgow airport but don’t fly until tomorrow night so tomorrow might be more castles.
It has been busy, so a couple of days of just being a tourist will be a lovely reprieve before that ‘exciting’ flight home. I have been amused constantly by the Scots that have all said ‘we would love to visit Australia but it is just soooo far’. After whinging about Scottish roads today, and driving at 40-50 km an hour, I think I agree. Even the trip to the airport tomorrow would as they say here be ‘dein meh heid inn’
Sleeping under the stars 