It wasn’t just hiking peaks that took our time in Scotland. We did have a rest day and other adventures.
Lesley was introduced to the nicest cop on the planet. We were winding our way through the highlands, getting closer to our campsite (which always seemed further away) on our big drive up from Wales. It was about 8:30pm, the road was windy and unfamiliar. The cop appeared in Lesley’s rear view mirror and tailed us for a few kms. Next minute, the lights went on and we were pulled over. Having done nothing terribly interesting, we were a bit mystified.
“Miss, these roads are unfamiliar to you?” (Yes)
“We really need you to stay on your side of the road and not cross the white line!” (Then comes a lecture on the issues with oncoming traffic).
“Also, as of next year, those phone mounts are banned from the middle of the windscreen, can you move it please?”
“Damn! I regret stopping you, I’m getting eaten alive by midgies out here……!”
“Please drive safely for the rest of the night, I don’t want to see you again. Also, I’m leaving before you, I don’t want to be stuck behind you for the next hour!!!”
Lesley swears she saw the same cop (in civvies) the next day in Inverness, giving us a silly grin when he spotted us!
We spent our day off hiking, strolling through Inverness and sailing Loch Ness. Interestingly Inver stands for (close to water) and Loch equals Lake (this is “mere” in Cumbria), Ben equals mountain…. Oh the things we are learning!
On the shores of Loch Ness, we came across Urquhart Castle, a ruin dating from the 13th century. It played an important role in the Scottish War of Independence, was a royal residence for some time and was constantly raided by the MacDonald Earls of Ross, when it was granted to Clan Grant. Government forces partially destroyed it in 1692 to prevent it being used by Jacobite forces. It was largely abandoned in the 17th century.
I had the obligatory haggis as a starter, it was fine, but maybe because it was deep fried into balls? Generally it’s just another version of a small good… so works for me.
Work Travel Save Repeat 