Wednesday, September 17, 2014 - The Scotland Saga

Awake and showered by 7:15. Glenda and Jeff returned from their morning walk (a trek to the tower) around 7:45 and we all met for breakfast at 8:30. A very good breakfast well served by our host Robert.  Robert provided excellent information regarding our impending drive and visit tomorrow to Glasgow.

Finished breakfast and at 9:45 we filled the "park and pay" meter until 11:47, and walked off in search of shops, which was not far nor meager.  We wandered in and out of the small shops, making various purchases up and down the Main Street. We also stopped at the Oban Distillery, in place in the center of town since 1794. An interesting display, although we did not take a tour, nor did we do a tasting - too early in the morning and too much time involved for the tour.

Back to the car and headed towards Glasgow, along Loch Lomond.  We stopped for lunch at Inverrary, enjoying a tasty repast and walk around in this charming village making some small purchases and generally stretching our legs. Striking out again we continued towards the big city, arriving on the beltway around 5:30, rush hour.  We navigated our way towards the Village of Strathaven and found our way to Bamflatt Farm, our lodging for the next two nights, arriving around 6:30.  This is a brand new, built to suit, B & B set up, and the site is still under construction. We had booked a two bedroom suite with a shared bath.  Whoever did the design was not really thinking, as the bath was accessed through one of the bedrooms, making it a bit awkward for a pair of older couples such as ourselves.

As this was not acceptable, we negotiated with the proprietor and were able to cancel our second night.  We then repaired to our suite for our evening wine and a search for our next night's accommodations.  The Internet and Wi-Fi have revolutionized travel, at least the way we do it. We determined that Glasgow was too much traffic and too much trouble, so we narrowed our search and came up with a manor house in the village of Peebles, south and a bit west of Edinburgh as our next night's destination.

That determined, we set out on our next adventure, driving into the village of Strathaven for dinner, after dark.  Luckily, the designated driver was not imbibing. We eventually found the town square after a number of misses, (sorry Rutledge Farm) and ended up at a lovely small Italian restaurant up a flight of stairs off the square.  Although we did not finish until nearly 9:45, this was one of the best Italian meals we had ever encountered. 

Back in the dark to our farmstead and down for the night, looking forward to a new adventure tomorrow to a destination none had ever been. 

Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - The Scotland Saga

Rousting about the room at 7:00. The shower in this room is easily the least useful so far.  Barely any water pressure. The toilet needs at least 7 minutes after a flush to refill the tank, due to the water pressure.  But all is accomplished and we are down to breakfast at 8:30.  Glenda and Jeff had already been out for a morning walk and Jeff was in the dining room and claimed a table for four.  This may not have been the greatest idea, as the wait staff then ignored us until well after 9:00.  Our order was finally noted, and more coffee requested. The food was good, but slow to arrive. We were the last out of the dining room at close to 10:15.

Into the chariot and off on another wonderful day. We traveled down the coast of Isle of Skye to the small village of Armadale where we caught the ferry back to the mainland.  The ferry ride was £42.50 and lasted about 30 minutes.  The pottery store adjacent to the ferry landing provided a last opportunity to boost the economy of Skye.  The pottery here was pure art, and the artist in residence was proud of her work (£££.) As it was a cash only store, we were constrained in our purchases.

Upon arrival back at the mainland, we traveled through some of the most stunning country yet encountered.  Our first stop was at the sight of the beginning and end of the Jacobite revolution - the point at which Bonnie Prince Charlie set foot back on Scotland's shore in his attempt to reclaim the crown, and the point at which he escaped following his army's defeat.

We stopped at Glenfinnan heritage center for a hike up the hill and a viewing of the monuments and the elevated railway bridge over the valley.  This bridge was used in the Harry Potter films depicting the train to the Wizards school crossing a wooded valley.

On then to Ft. Williams, at the southern end of the lochs canals.  This port city was larger than expected.  We parked and walked High Street in search of a lunch and settled in Cafe 115, a Rick Steve's recommendation.  Rick was wrong! Over priced sandwiches, a skink soup that was acceptable, but good wine.

After lunch we walked the street to the Tesco Grocery store and stocked up on provisions for the next few days.  Then on to our final resting spot of the day, Oban. This charming city is a walkers and shoppers delight.  We took a short stroll after our evening glass of wine in our rooms.  Then on to dinner at a recommended sea food restaurant on the pier.  We had a wonderful dinner of mussels, scallops and a seafood penne.  Dessert and a cheese plate to finish.

Back to our rooms around 9:15 and settled in after another day of stunning weather (a few sprinkles in the morning then  partly clouded for the balance of the day.)

Monday, September 15, 2014 - The Scotland Saga

Up to breakfast in the hotel this morning; enjoyed a fair Scottish traditional breakfast, but with no haggis on order - a disappointment, but the eggs were magnificent.

Left Portree around 9:45 and headed north along the outer highway.  Today a day of sightseeing of the entire Island of Skye. Our first site was the Old Man of Store rock formation, a basalt formation on edge and reaching right into the sky from Skye - sort of a Chimney Rock of Scotland. We made our first stop at a pull out, thought by some (in our vehicle) to be the kilted rock formation. A wonderful view of the ocean and a bit of a walkabout.

Next we came upon the true Kilted Rock formation, which were volcanic basalts thrown up some 60 million yeas ago, and then washed clean by the sea.  Very impressive and photogenic.

Next stop was the Crofter's Village Museum, a collection of crofters houses set up as a museum.  These thatched roof stone homes were very intriguing; the displays in each reflecting the ways of the early crofters.  The original homes (not the recreated ones) on site were occupied into the 1950's.  these were reminiscent of the prairie sod houses in our native Nebraska.

Next to the village of Uig, a small ferry stop and port on the coast.  We stopped at the Port Restaurant and enjoyed burgers and a wee pint of Skye beer.  Then next door to the Uig Pottery shop, where the pottery is made and sold.  Again, we did our part to support the economy.

Next, we traveled cross island to the Talisker Distillery, the only whisky distillery on the island. Except for the designated driver, we had a sampling of the four whisky's on offer, and Deb and I settled on a Distiller's Choice (on Deb's taste bud recommendation) to support the economy.

Next stop was back to the Isle of Skye bridge point of Kyle Acklin and our hotel of the evening, the McKinnon Country House and Hotel, a 1912 manor home that has been converted to a hotel. We settled into our rooms, and then down to the lounge for a bottle(s) of wine and a spirited game of Wizards.  The game was won by He Who Shall Not be Named.

As their restaurant was not serving on this Monday evening, we walked to a pub, Saucy Mary's, and enjoyed the cottage pie and a pint of local Skye brew, then back to the Hotel Lounge Bar for a nightcap.  We retired at 10:00, although, as it turns out, not for good.  At 10:30 the fire alarms sounded and all traipsed out to the parking lot to look for the fire trucks and the conflagration.  Neither of these appeared.  Evidently a heat sensor in one of the lounges shorted, causing the alarm.

Back to our rooms and an uneventful balance of the evening.