Scotland – Gastography

Glasgow, Newcastle & A Night Ferry – Scotland

May 4, 2013May 3, 2013Life1 Comment

For our anniversary trip this year, my DH and I took a ‘grand tour of Scotland’ with a whirlwind of Amsterdam thrown in for good measure.

We started in Edinburgh, made our way to Inverness, down through the Cairngorms National Park (with stops in Aviemore and Blair Atholl), on to Glasgow (with a castle stay right outside of Fintry), and finally down to Newcastle to catch a night ferry to Amsterdam.

The trip was great, and we got to see a lot of really cool things, despite Spring being late and most days being cold, wet and windy. We ate a lot of craziness (still craving the Irn Bru, Haggis & Black Pudding we grew accustomed to), walked till our legs felt like they were going to fall off, and took pictures till our hearts were content.

Today’s post is part 4 of a multi part series. Stay tuned for our last stop – Amsterdam! Edinburgh / Inverness & Loch Ness / Aviemore & Blair Atholl

Glasgow

Our last major stop in Scotland was Glasgow, where we were to take a train down to Newcastle and a night ferry on to Amsterdam.

Glasgow was interesting – lots of shopping, lots of bustle; but not really our scene, to tell the truth. Too close to home to feel like being away.

Cousin(s) to NYC's famous lions, Patience and Fortitude in St. George's Square — Cousin(s) to NYC’s famous lions, Patience and Fortitude in St. George’s Square

St. George's Square — St. George’s Square

This is one of the oldest pubs in Glasgow - and the traditional place for couples to celebrate their engagement -- it is steps from the main engagement ring buying spot in town, Argyll Arcade — This is one of the oldest pubs in Glasgow – and the traditional place for couples to celebrate their engagement — it is steps from the main engagement ring buying spot in town, Argyll Arcade

This tree isn't in Glasgow, it's right outside of a tiny town named Fintry on the grounds of Culcreuch Castle, where we stayed the night — This tree isn’t in Glasgow, it’s right outside of a tiny town named Fintry on the grounds of Culcreuch Castle, where we stayed the night

Newcastle

Newcastle is somewhere we will have to visit again. We only had a couple of hours, and barely scratched the surface of all the beauty and history this city has to offer.

Our day ended on a night ferry to Amsterdam, which turned out to be a mini cruise ship, complete with entertainments and great food. Sadly, no wi-fi.

One of the many bridges we were fascinated with

These are the types of window casings I think of when I think of 'olden times' — These are the types of window casings I think of when I think of ‘olden times’

Bridges - taken by my DH — Bridges – taken by my DH

From the boat - taken by my DH — From the boat – taken by my DH

Windy steps - taken by my DH — Windy steps – taken by my DH

A Trip Through The Cairngorms – Aviemore & Blair Atholl, Scotland

May 3, 2013May 3, 2013Life3 Comments

For our anniversary trip this year, my DH and I took a ‘grand tour of Scotland’ with a whirlwind of Amsterdam thrown in for good measure.

Today’s post is part 3 of a multi part series. Stay tuned for points south. Edinburgh / Inverness & Loch Ness

Aviemore & Blair Atholl

Aviemore

After our adventures in Inverness, we made our way to the largest National Park in the UK – Cairngorms National Park. Cairngorms is huge (around six percent of the land mass of Scotland, holds five of the UK’s highest mountains, and plays host to many threatened wildlife species. What struck me as different from parks in the States is the people – 17,000 people live in this park, with seven major towns serving as population centers.

Our first day was spent in Aviemore. We had intended on taking the funicular railway up to the ski center to get some great snowy vistas, but got shut out due to high winds up the mountain (some reports had the winds at 100 mph). So, we went hiking in the Craigellachie National Nature Reserve instead.

Sweeping vistas halfway up a mountain - taken by my DH — Sweeping vistas halfway up a mountain – taken by my DH

A wee loch - taken by my DH — A wee loch – taken by my DH

A path by the loch - taken by my DH — A path by the loch – taken by my DH

The DH in his life-saving buff — My DH with the big lens in his life-saving buff

Blair Atholl

Then it was on to Blair Atholl to wander Atholl Castle and the surrounding countryside.

Under the bridge - taken by my DH — Under the bridge – taken by my DH

St. Bride's Kirk - taken by my DH — St. Bride’s Kirk – taken by my DH

Heilan' Coo - I wanted to braid his hair — Heilan’ Coo – I wanted to braid his hair

Poor guy - must be heavy, carrying around all that weight — Poor guy – must be heavy, carrying around all that weight

I'm a sucker for a tree alone — I’m a sucker for a tree alone

St. Bride's Kirk - I wonder how many little crosses have sat in that very same spot over the span of years — St. Bride’s Kirk – I wonder how many little crosses have sat in that very same spot over the span of years

Inverness, Scotland & Loch Ness

May 2, 2013May 2, 2013Life4 Comments

For our anniversary trip this year, my DH and I took a ‘grand tour of Scotland’ with a whirlwind of Amsterdam thrown in for good measure.

Today’s post is part 2 of a multi part series. Stay tuned for points south. Edinburgh

Inverness

We had 2 nights in Inverness, in one of the best B&Bs either of us has ever stayed at – Ardconnel House. The proprietors were gracious and beyond helpful and accommodating, the room was well-appointed with a kick-ass shower, and the breakfast was to die for. Here is where we discovered our abiding love for haggis, black pudding, and for me at least, lemon marmalade. Inverness itself is a cute little town (more of a city, really) with beautiful old historic buildings, an imposing castle on the hill (which serves as the government offices), and the scenic and winding Ness River.

In places this old, an alleyway holds perfectly appropriate addresses and business entrances. — In places this old, an alleyway holds perfectly appropriate addresses and business entrances

Inverness from up by the Castle. — Inverness from up by the Castle

A lovely church on the banks of River Ness. — A lovely church on the banks of River Ness

Leave it to us to spend lots of time in an old cemetery. — Leave it to us to spend lots of time in an old cemetery

The stones really are fascinating, though. — The stones really are fascinating, though

I especially loved this jumble with the light hitting it just so. — I especially loved this jumble with the light hitting it just so

Moss takes over everything in the Highlands. — Moss takes over everything in the Highlands

Even letters on a grave. — Even letters on a grave

Beautiful stone work. — Beautiful stone work – taken by my DH

Bridge over the River Ness. — Bridge over the River Ness – taken by my DH

Castle Urquhart & Drumnadrochit

We also took a little side excursion to visit the ruins of Castle Urquhart and tool around the tiny little pit stop town of Drumnadrochit while we waited for the bus back. Urquhart, once one of Scotland’s largest castles, is situated on on the banks of Loch Ness and served as a strategic stronghold for hundreds of years. Drumnadrochit is a few miles up the road and has Nessie stuff up the wazoo. Also, a great little pub holding a beer festival with regional cask ales. Score!

Trebuchet at Castle Urquhart - taken by my DH — Trebuchet at Castle Urquhart – taken by my DH

Winding path in Drumnadrochit - taken by my DH — Winding path in Drumnadrochit – taken by my DH

Castle Urquhart overlooking Loch Ness - taken by my DH — Castle Urquhart overlooking Loch Ness – taken by my DH

Entryway that was blown to smithereens by the last lords to rule it - Castle Urquhart — Entryway that was blown to smithereens by the last lords to rule it – Castle Urquhart

Part of the castle turret - Castle Urquhart — Part of the castle turret – Castle Urquhart

A silvery sunny stream - Drumnadrochit — A silvery sunny stream – Drumnadrochit

Castle Urquhart on the banks of Loch Ness

Castle Urquhart flying the Scottish flag

Edinburgh, Scotland

May 1, 2013Life4 Comments

For our anniversary trip this year, my DH and I took a ‘grand tour of Scotland’ with a whirlwind of Amsterdam thrown in for good measure.

This post is part 1 of a multi part series. Stay tuned for points south.

Edinburgh

Our time in Edinburgh was too short – just a few hours before we needed to hop a Citylink bus to Inverness – but it was packed with beautiful things to see. Next trip, we’re doing at least a day and a half. In our short time there, we managed to walk the Royal Mile, stumbled upon a small Farmers Market, had a fascinating conversation with an ex-pat Sociology teacher, and toured the very old + very new.