Old and New England with Scotland.The cripples on tour.

[drron]

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So this is Castle Urquhart.Also very popular with the bus people.

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[drron]

So coming back we stopped at the locks that are between lochs.The canal was built to connect the Inverness harbour to Loch Ness-

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[drron]

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So we stopped at another woollen mills also not working and now shops.On the River Ness.Amazing afternoon tea-2 cupcakes.2 sandwhiches,scones jam and cream plus a cup of tea for 2 was 10GBP.We spent an extra pound to have cappuccinos.

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[craven morehead]

I am sure I have gained 5kgs salivating over all the foodie pics in this TR :mrgreen: hope you get a break with the weather drron

 

[ellen10]

Loving the pictures and trip report, bringing back memories.

We also stopped at Stalker Castle and had delicious scones with jam & cream at the cafe, before we moved on and caught the ferry to Isle of Skye.

 

[jukebox333]

Loving this TR, drron - thanks so much for taking the time to upload all those photos!

 

[OATEK]

I think you are in danger of surpassing even erkpod. Great photos of lots of familiar places from our past sojourns north of the border.

 

[drron]

Ellen we were too stuffed to even consider such a staple as scones,jam and cream.
As for days of no rain-1 in England,3 in Scotland.Usually we enjoy good weather when we travel.I guess we are just reverting to the mean.
And OATEK I have given in.Tried to keep up with the incomparable Erk and do a TR in real time but failed.Still better than usual and I promise to post further episodes tomorrow.
Today has been the last of the SC runs for mrsdrron.Why fly NRT-BKK when you can fly NRT-HKG-BKK and collect more SCs.
So far though one success having kept my weight below 100kg and only buying 38-40 inch waist gear after 15 years of 42-44.

 

[drron]

So on Tuesday we headed off to the Isle of Skye.But no ferry for us just the bridge.First we had to retrace our steps to loch ness then heading west on A87.Another pleasant drive first going up alongside a tributary to Loch Ness on which there were dams-

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And here is the bridge to Skye which is the land to your left-

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We went to Portree.Cruise ships of the small variety come in here though the port is rather rudimentary-

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The name comes from earlier times when this was the kings port.It is picturesque-

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[Flashback]

Went for a lovely walk around Portree when I did my Isle of Skye tour many years ago - nice little town.

 

[drron]

We found a free parking spot at the port.Rare anywhere in the UK tourist towns-

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So we had lunch there.A pot of mussels each.Not the best we have had on this trip.On the way back we took it more leisurely and appreciated the countryside.

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Not all of it was pristine.They make a mess cutting down pine plantations and erosion can be a problem-

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Then again what can you expect of a place that has oxalis and dandelions as wildflowers and this as their flower emblem-

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But the simple beauty of the place does win you over-

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And the heather was beginning to flower-

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[drron]

A little waterfall by the road and the wee burn makes it's way to the sea-

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And more scenery on Skye-

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Then back over to Lochalsh which was a base for minelayers in WW2-

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[drron]

So more of lochalsh or to be precise the town of Kyle of Lochalsh.An interesting place to walk around-

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This is where those logs go from.It is also important in Scottish history because it was here in 1263 King Haakon of Norway anchored his fleet before the Battle of Largs that finished Viking rule in Scotland.The town over the water on Skye is Kyleakin named after Haakon.The ruined castle is the Castle of Moil-

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We stopped a little further on we stopped to view another castle where there was an interesting bit of recycling-

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I found the foliage interesting.But the castle is the castle of Eileain Donan-

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[drron]

So some more of the castle and scenes on our way back to Loch Ness-

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[drron]

After arriving back in Aviemore we stopped at the Cairngorm hotel for dinner.It was rated number 6 on Trip Advisor.It is now rated number 4.We didn't think some of the over the top reviews were accurate but it is good simple food cooked reasonably well and for Scotland relatively inexpensive.Though for a pub we thought the wine a little high priced-dearer than the Hilton.I started with smoked venison and chutney then had the beef,mushroom and ale pie.Mrsdrron had the trout with almonds-

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So not a bad choice for a reasonable meal with good service.

 

[Julesmac]

Gosh Drron, the visit to Norman Rockwell's house brings back memories! I used to go to the library with my dad when I was little (almost 60 years ago, yikes) and I used to love looking at the covers of the Saturday Evening Post. Great TR

 

[ellen10]

The photos are great. That was a big day trip!.

We went to Skye in April and stayed a night, the only wet day of our 10 days in Scotland was on Skye.
So we weren't that impressed, as it was dark and gloomy. Its amazing how weather affects your experience.

But on another beautiful day we toured Eileain Donan and really enjoyed it.

 

[drron]

Well julesmac you grew up in a nice part of the world.
Ellen Scotland in June has a big advantage over April and that is the length of the day.Even at 2300 it wasn't completely dark so longer day trips are not as hard.
So now to Wednesday and today's trip was to Balmoral Castle.The weather in the morning was the best we have had in 7 weeks of travel.It was an easier day driving.Across country to A939 south.I can highly recommend driving this route.The scenery is fantastic and varied.The road is also good.It is called the Highland Tourist Drive.So a couple of photos of the scenery-

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And the little village of Tomintoul where the houses were right on the road but a delightful town square-

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The statue is included not because it is famous or beautiful but because it was donated by a fellow who grew up in town and went on to become a physician.A good reminder of the virtuous nature of physicians(smiley).

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So back to the countryside including a ski field-

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Did you notice the blue skies?

 

[drron]

So to Balmoral.Once again have to praise the UK in regards to disability support.When we arrived at Balmoral instead of going straight into the car park I drove to the front gate and asked the woman there if there was any way we could get mrsdrron up to the castle without walking.It a little later emerged there was a shuttle to the castle.However the woman noting mrsdrron's moon boot told me to leave the car here,go and buy your tickets and then I will open the gate for you to drive up to where you can get a wheelchair or scooter.Once again I could have got in free as a carer but unlike the young woman in front of me I will only accept if offered.Once we were at the start of the tour I think I unleashed a hidden passion in mrsdrron-

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I couldn't keep up with her.She was in her element but it did let her enjoy everything we would have done if we were both able bodied.So to the castle-First the deer larder where culled deer are dressed then the grounds-

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And the gardens.Flowers are selected to be in bloom when the royal family are in residence in August.The veggie garden is similarly designed but produce can also be used in the café-

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[drron]

So to Queen Mary's garden and glasshouse-

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And Queen Victoria's favourite garden cottage-

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