We went to Ireland and Scotland about this time last year. Apologies for not having posted at the time, but I had basically dropped off the face of WordPress blogging since my sister passed who was my biggest supporter of all my random ventures.
This year, we went on an Alaskan cruise, but more about that later.
Scotland, oh how we loved you. We had to fly from Indiana to Massachusetts to meet my sister and brother-in-law, ride a train to Rhode Island (another place I’ve always wanted to see) and fly from there to Scotland.
So yes, the image above is in fact taken in Scotland, but it’s the same type of train we took from MA to RI. Trains, buses, planes, automobiles, we did it all and I can’t even remember how long we were gone now.
The flight was a red eye. We didn’t sleep thus, we arrived pretty grumpy and tired. The place we were staying, (an apartment we rented suitable for 3 couples totalling 6 people) was not available to us for several hours after landing.
So there we were, 6 tired yet excited people who had just arrived in a foreign country with no where to go, trekking our rolling suitcases and bags down the streets of Edinburgh, looking for a place to sit and relax to pass the time. We found one and it was one the most memorable days there.
At this cute restaurant/bar we had an amazing time despite our lack of sleep, which is why they call those late night flights red eyes. Now I know! We drank, a lot. We laughed, a lot and even though it was early in the day there and it may have seemed odd that we walked up in there with our luggage and no place to go, we made the best of it. It was a nice way to kick start vacation mode.
On vacation, who cares what time it is, right?
After some naps that day the rest of the time there was spent waking up early and seeing the sights. We toured a couple of castles there in Edinburgh although we didn’t get the tour the one within walking distance of the place we stayed. By the time we got there, the tour was booked.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Sterling Castle, Scotland
So there were several tour guides at this castle and I think we lucked out with one we had. He was an old Scottish man, proud of his country and equipped with an abundance of cultural history. His hair was long and astray and he wore a white long sleeved sweater with a yellow and plaid kilt. Mind you, it was cold, windy and rainy, but he sure made the tour feel warm with his quirky jokes and kindred spirit. I wish I had taken a picture of him.
Sterling Castle, Scotland
We have several pictures from this particular castle tour which was the first we took during this trip. I’ll go ahead and add a slew of pictures from this location.
Sterling Castle, Scotland
Sterling Castle, Scotland
Sterling Castle, Scotland
Seriously though, these are just a few. I have many more from the views of the land around the castle from the high points and more from inside the castle but we saw so many sights I can’t post them all at once.
This was a fun location, despite the weather.
Another amazing place was Urquharts Castle. This was quite a ways from Edinburgh but it was a slot on our charts that we ventured to see.
The drive was long. We packed our bags and rented a car early morning to set off to this next location. We drove on the wrong side of the rode on the wrong side of the car. Really though, it was the right side there, but so wrong….and so awkward for we Americans who drive on the left side of the car but on the right side of the road. Does that make sense?
Might I add too, that while still in the city there were crazy roundabouts off other roundabouts going the wrong direction as well. Definitely a test of the nerves.
Once we set off and drove towards the Highlands things took a turn and the scenery changed. It morphed into rainy overcast, busy city to open space. Space full of fresh air, country, green hues as bright as I’ve ever seen, and sheep. A lot of sheep. Sheep in the road…just standing there at that. To us, where that’s an uncommon site, we were happy but as soon as we tried to get out and get a sheep selfie, they ran off.
Hills and hills. Rain through clouded rays of sunshine, mountains, cliffs, waterfalls and rainbows everywhere. It was absolutely amazing. The beauty of it all was it’s raw beauty. Seemingly untouched and all natural. It was nature at it finest from a part of the world we had never seen. My favorite place in Scotland thus far is the Highlands.
Highlands, Scotland Fairy Pools
I can’t state enough just how amazing this area was to see. As I continue to skim photographs I realize I will have to post this trip in multiple parts. I want to do that so I can make sure everything is captured in hopes it inspires you to travel to see this for yourself.
Stay tuned until next time for Scotland Adventure, Part 2. After that I’ll post the Ireland Adventure. Until then, don’t forget to cook, bake and eat life up!
a cup of that 