Today, we benefited from clear, dry but cold weather.

After departing lodgings in Dunkeld, central Scotland, we drove about 20 mins north to Pitlochry where we availed of a tour of Edradour, Scotland's smallest whisky distillery. This was a good value experience.

Here is the overnight lodgings-Atholl Arms Hotel at Dunkeld.

View of Dunkeld


Bar at Edradour, Scotland's smallest distillery. Refer also video clip below.



After Edradour we continued north to Aviemore in the Cairngorms national park. Here we obtained a spot of lunch in this centre for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing and mountain biking. We noticed snow on the mountain tops.

After a light lunch we continued north to Culloden, site of the last battle on British soil. This took place in April 1746 and marked the final defeat for the Jacobite cause of Bonnie Prince Charlie at hands the British (Hanoverian) army. There is a good interpretation and visitor centre which is run by the National Trust.

Reenactment soldier at Culloden.



Next we drove to nearby Clava Cairns, a prehistoric site dating back some 4000 years and which comprises burial cairns and stone circles. If only we could get inside the minds of our ancestors who built this and similar sites across the British Isles! Here is an image of a well preserved passage grave.


Finally, we headed for our lodgings for the night in central Inverness.

Tomorrow we visit Loch Ness and Skye. Fingers crossed for favourable weather!

Labels: Highlands

posted by Nigel Cole @ 11:06 AM  0 comments

Today, our small group had continuing benefit of dry, sunny weather.

We headed down from Inverness stopping at Castle Urquhart to view Loch Ness in all its glory.
Sadly, we missed the Monster.






We drove on tracking Loch Ness to Kyle of Lochalsh stopping to visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, home of Clan Macrae.



Then across the Skye Bridge to Broadford where we visited a small art gallery.

With still brilliant sunshine we drove up the single track road to Elgol stopping for numerous photo opps en-route.

After Elgol we returned stopping at a local craftsman and swordmaker who had a high quality
range of products on display.





Finally, on to our hotel at Eilean Iarmain which benefits from a stunning
Waterfront location-pure magic in the brilliant evening sunshine!

Labels: Highlands

posted by Nigel Cole @ 11:39 AM  0 comments

Labels: Highlands

posted by Nigel Cole @ 11:46 AM  0 comments

This afternoon, I am presenting an image taken at a just-completed tour of Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.

Glencoe is a 'must see' on a Scotland Tour. The scenery is awesome and there is added dimension in that Glencoe was the location of a famous massacre in 1692 when a detachment of Campbells serving in the British Army massacred 38 members of the Maclan MacDonalds on Feb 13th 1692.

There is a good Visitor Centre operated by the National Trust which focuses on the local ecology and scenery.



Glencoe also has a heritage museum and is very popular with hikers and climbers.

Labels: Highlands

posted by Nigel Cole @ 4:50 AM  0 comments

This afternoon, I am presenting some images from a tour just completed which was undertaken in very snowy conditions. The route took us up to Spittal of Glenshee in the Highlands where we came to an abrupt halt due to adverse weather which resulted in the road being closed.We had a break at the Spittal hotel ( full up with two stranded coach parties) and then doubled back to Pitlochry and on up to Inverness via Killiecrankie and the A9.

The expedition proved quite a bit of fun and provided opportunity for good photos-and some snowball fights!

Spittal is a Scots word meaning a hospice or refuge for travellers, especially in mountainous country. The Spittal of Glenshee proved very apposite on the day we arrived-just standing room only!

Labels: Highlands

posted by Nigel Cole @ 9:10 AM  0 comments