blogging around the world scotland

7/30/2019 Blogging Around the World Scotland

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Blogging AroundThe WorldCover Design: Cara WilliamsCover Design: Cara WilliamsCover Design: Cara WilliamsCover Design: Cara WilliamsPhotography: Cara WilliamsPhotography: Cara WilliamsPhotography: Cara WilliamsPhotography: Cara Williams

Copyright 2006 by Cara WilliamsCopyright 2006 by Cara WilliamsCopyright 2006 by Cara WilliamsCopyright 2006 by Cara WilliamsAll rights reservedAll rights reservedAll rights reservedAll rights reserved

By Cara WilliamsBy Cara WilliamsBy Cara WilliamsBy Cara Williams


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CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTS

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Chapter 1: EEEEdunburghdunburghdunburghdunburgh 3333

Chapter 2:Chapter 2:Chapter 2:Chapter 2: TTTThehehehe IIIIsle of Skyesle of Skyesle of Skyesle of Skye 4444

Chapter 3:Chapter 3:Chapter 3:Chapter 3: BBBBen Nevisen Nevisen Nevisen Nevis 5555

ChapterChapterChapterChapter 4444:::: GlaGlaGlaGlasgosgosgosgowwww 5555

Chapter One


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After initially discarding Scotland as a holiday destination due to theincessant rain you always hear about, I decided it was time to finallyfind out if Scotland is every bit as dramatic as I have been told by my(admittedly biased) Scottish friends, and after spending five wintry daystravelling around the country, I am pleased to say that Scotlandsurpassed my expectations in many ways.

Friday 5th February

I started my journey in Edinburgh. The first thing that surprised me wasthe Hostel I came across while looking for a place to spend the night.The Castle Backpackers, Edinburgh (20 pppn) was a spacious,comfortable and well equipped Youth Hostel. It has been designed likea castle, with rooms spiralling up a turret. Breakfast was left in the roomsfor the morning and the staff were extremely helpful. Although I didnthave a chance to see much of Edinburgh, what I did see wasbeautiful. From the train station, to Arthurs Seat, the sense of grandeurand history was apparent on every street.

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My most sensible purchase of the holiday was a Citylink Explorer Pass,which for 39 gave me unlimited travel on any Citylink bus countrywidefor 3 days. This was well worth the investment, as the buses arecomfortable, (most have toilet facilities on board); the drivers are

friendly and patriotic, (which is unsurprising once you see the country)and the scenery along the way was breathtaking.

My first experience of CityLink took me to Inverness, which I imaginedto be mossy hills and ghosts on the moors. Sadly, I didnt see anyghosts, but there was certainly a sense of mystery surrounding the town.

I was lucky to experience a mild, sunny day in the town and used it totake a walk by The River Ness. In the afternoon, I went to the infamousLoch Ness using Jacobite Tours (14.50 inc 30 min boat ride andguided coach tour to Urqhart Castle). This was the highlight of the trip

for me, as the views from Castle Urqhart over Loch Ness wereincredible. The sun was setting as I explored the ruins and although I

didnt catch sight of Nessie having her early evening bath, it was agreat place to watch the sunset.


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After being dropped back at the TIC, there was just enough time tosample the local cuisine (KFC) before boarding the next bus to Portreein the Isle of Skye to see some authentic Scottish coastland.

Chapter Two

Sunday 7th February

I caught the next Citylink bus to The Isle of Skye from Inverness (3 hours).This journey showed me just how dramatic Scotlands landscapes canbe. The lochs are vast and clear, surrounded by mountains that areeerily shrouded in mist. There are tiny cottages dotted about thelandscape which add a sense of charm to the surroundings. I couldnt

stop taking pictures for fear of missing the next stunning shot. Needlessto say, I got plenty.

Portree is one of several Scottish islands that make up The Isle Of Skye.Each island has its own spectacular views over a loch and each is selfcontained. Unfortunately, I reached Portree on a sleepy Sunday, so thedolphin tour I had been looking forward to was not happening. Also,the cinema was only showing one film (from 2003) and there was noother form of entertainment for young people.

However, the pub I ventured into was almost antique in dcor and the

hearty fireplace was a welcome distraction from the biting cold. Iwould have been quite happy to spend the remainder of my visitsipping 2.50 Chardonnay in that bar!

Despite the lack of entertainment, I enjoyed walking round the tinyisland, having a look in the ornate novelty stores that had a 1950s feelto them. There was one supermarket on the island and one smallhospital to service all. Quaint as us Brits say.

The best thing about Portree was the hospitality. I stayed in a family runGuest House overlooking the loch and it was exactly what I had hopedfor. A small, one floor bungalow with double rooms, each with anequally breathtaking view and a full Scottish breakfast served atwhatever time you wished the next morning. Much needed andrecommended accommodation!

Monday 8th February


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After an early night and early start to fit in the 3 course breakfast, it wason to Fort William to see the infamous Ben Nevis. This leg of the journeytook a good 5 1/2 hours, during which time the weather was miserablebut reassuringly for me, reinforced the preconceptions I had ofScotland as a dramatic land under an equally dramatic sky.

Chapter Three

Fort William itself was different again to the previous places I had seen.It incorporated a mismatch of styles, with cobbled stones and Victorianarchitecture juxtaposed with contemporary high street stores. It is

unimposing nevertheless and has the added benefit of Britains highestmountain peak providing a backdrop.

I was eager to see Ben Nevis up close, but wasnt prepared for the 1.5hour trek to the mountain from the bus station. With a10kg backpackand my trousers getting muddier by the second, I would have plannedmy journey differently if Id known how far I would have had to walk,but the exercise was good for me. However, the incessant drizzlewasnt! The changeability of weather in Fort William is something toconsider when planning a trip here. The mist and rain set inunexpectedly and while this makes for dramatic scenery, it is not ideal

if you are not prepared with an umbrella.

The last part of my journey was from Fort William to Glasgow and thena change of bus back to Edinburgh. This was the longest leg (7 hours)and most draining of them all. Light was fading and mist was gatheringto the point that you could not see the scenery. By this point I wasfading in and out of consciousness and yearning for a bed.

Chapter Four

After the mammoth journey, Glasgow was an unsurprisinglycosmopolitan paradise. A combination of High Street Stores, multistorey cinema complexes and every type of cuisine you couldimagine, I only saw it by night, but it seemed vast and energetic. I knowthat along with Edinburgh, Glasgow is a mecca for tourists and as such,is well prepared for them.


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An hour later we were back in Edinburgh, and I had trouble findingaccommodation as the city was gearing up for the Christmas season.But luckily I managed to find a room in the swanky Bank Hotel. It waslocated about half an hour out of town and from the outside it didntinspire me with confidence. However, when shown to my room, I waspleasantly impressed.

The rooms paid homage to iconic Scottish writers; I stayed in the RobertBurns room. It was a regal Burgandy colour, with an en suite bathroomand a king size bed. There were manuscripts and quotes from hiswriting on the walls and it was obvious that the Scottish have a deepsense of pride about their heritage.

My overall impressions of Scotland were that it was both intimidatingand awe inspiring. It was everything I had expected and more. Fromthe mist rolling over the hills to the biting cold and incessant rain, it ismost definitely unique and a place I will come back to.

blogging around the world scotland

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