Note: This is a scheduled post of our Summer Holidays in Scotland (9th to 25th September, 2022)
After a long day the day before, but feeling not too frazzled as we had AJ driving us around Falkirk and warming us up with a bit of Scottish gossip and history. AJ is a Scottish Borderer (originally from Kelso). Our Day Tour to the Scottish Highlands the next day was shepherded by a Glaswegian (Lowlander) who knew the Scottish Highlands like a Highlander but he introduced himself as an ‘Outlander’ 😅
We were up early for breakfast and left the hotel on foot to the bus terminal at Queen Street where the Rabbie’s Coach awaited us on Stance 2-3.
Being one of first to enter the Coach, we took the very front seats just behind the driver’s cockpit separated by a plexiglass that became our “mirror” for the entire day 😂
Our Coach departed from Glasgow Queen Street bus terminal at exactly 08:00. Stuart Hunter was our bubbly and animated Glaswegian guide who talked non-stop, telling us stories and legends of the Scottish Highlands and Highlanders. His Glaswegian accent was the icing on the cake. Loved it!
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond!
I really loved the song when I first heard it many moons ago when Music was one of the many subjects I had to take during my lower secondary school. I didn’t know the story behind the song, let alone, the origin of the song. When Stuart said, “Our next stop is Loch Lomond¨ and then he asked, ΅Does anyone know this song – On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond?”. Awkward, but true, I was the only one on the Coach who knew that song. ☺️
Stuart played the 1997 live version at Stirling Castle performed by the Scottish Celtic band, Runrig. I happily lip-synched to the song while recalling my nerve-racking 13-year old me playing the recorder with Mrs Majoribanks listening on. Lol!
By the way, Loch is the Scottish Gaelic word for lake or sea inlet.
Glencoe
It was 10:17 on a lovely 14C morning. We passed many breathtaking landscapes and backdrops of the lochs (lakes), bens (mountains) and glens (valleys) on the way before Stuart stopped the Coach with a dramatic landscape in front of us. Stuart reminded us of the 1969 Bond film with Sean Connery, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, when Bond reveals that his father is from Glencoe! In “Skyfall”, with Daniel Craig as 007, he returns to his Scottish roots to his childhood home, hence the stop of the view of Glen Etive. Glad to be part of an unpremeditated quest for the Bond trail 😜
Magical Harry Potter locations
Scotland is home to many locations from the Harry Potter films. The majestic Glencoe was used for various outdoor scenes: The Goblet of Fire, The Order of the Phoenix, The Half Blood Prince and The Prisoner of Azkaban.
With only 10 minutes to snap our breath away, I managed to get some photos of Glencoe. It’s the short and sweet stop that made our trip worth the while. The leg-stretching did us good and the toilet stops, of course 🙂
Loch Ness
Everyone was looking forward to meeting Nessie, if she’s (still) there. Loch Ness is one of the most touristic locations of the Scottish Highlands as can be seen even before crossing the barrier to Fort Augustus.
Fort Augustus was our main stop for the day where we had our lunch at the Caledonian Canal Brasserie.
The quest for Nessie was on, but where’s Nessie?
All we saw were enchanted looking houses along the Ness with boats and yachts berthing at the pier waiting to attract gullible travellers.
The Ness walk did us good so we were not complaining. It was a lovely walk to the mouth of the lake where I thought I spotted Nessie’s shadow. Can you spot her? 😉
Two hours at Loch Ness in the settlement of Fort Augustus went by in the wink of an eye. But what I was eyeing for most was to have a closed up view of the almost dwindled breed of rustic herds, the Highland Cows (or Heilan/Hielen/ Heeland Coos). They’re easily distinguished from their long horns and long wavy woolly coats. The hair gives protection during the cold winter in the Scottish Highlands. Don’t they look cuddly?
The Highland Cows
The usual coat colour is reddish brown with ca 60% of the population, while the rest are either pale silver, brindle or black. I have not seen the black Heilan Coo. Better luck next time?
Today’s rain is tomorrow’s Whisky
“This is an old Scots saying that expresses innate optimism”, says Stuart.
What proper timing when we stopped at Pitlochry, best known for the whisky distilleries. There are 2 in Pitlochry, one of which produces Edradour. I didn’t have the real thing but the Edradour Highland Single Malt whisky ice cream at £3.30 for one scoop, was to die for.
There are many whisky distilleries in Scotland, but none of them are the same. Every distillery has its own colourful history and unique setting.
Welcome to the land of Whisky 🥃
Homeward Bound
Time to leave the Highlands of Scotland for the Lowland. We arrived at Glasgow Queen Street Bus Terminal at 20:30. It was dark and chilly. A good night’s rest was very much anticipated.
Zzzzzz…
Until a brand new day with a speck of Royalty😉
By the way ... 