Our Trip with Dad to Scotland

Hello Everyone,

I wrote last about two weeks ago. Since then Dad's been off to the west coast of England in Chester and also visited Wales. After he got back from his week long adventure he still had a week left in the United Kingdom, so we decided to go to Scotland for a few days. We started our journey right after Kathleen and I got home from work last Friday. We caught the train from Melton into Ipswich and then onto London. Once arriving in London we took the overnight train into Edinburgh.

Once in Edinburgh we had about a hour for breakfast before catching our tour bus for a two day trip around Scotland. When we got on the bus we met our tour guide, Richard. He turned out to be one of the best tour guides I've ever had showing a lot of knowledge and pride for his country. Once we were out of the city we headed into the Stirling District where our first stop was Doune Castle, where scenes from Monty Python and the Holy Grail were filmed. After walking around the castle and visiting the gift shop we headed on our way. We then picked up food at the town of Callander (I had haggis pie) and then had a picnic lunch near a stream surrounded by mountains. After lunch Kathleen, Dad, and I walked in the stream a bit before getting back on the bus. Our next stop was Glencoe, where we had a photo stop at the mountains called the Three Sisters. We then continued on to Fort William where we stopped at Inverlochy Castle where Richard showed us how to fold wool fabric into a kilt. We then toured the grounds and did some climbing on the walls of the castle. Upon leaving the castle we headed toward Loch Ness. On our way there we had a short stop at the Commando Memorial, which is dedicated to the British Commando Forces of World War II. When we arrived at Fort Augustus, a village at the south west end of Loch Ness, we walked down by the Loch, put our feet in the water, and had our picture taken by the Loch Ness sign. We then had ice cream before jumping back on the bus. We then drove around the south end of the loch before driving up the east side to where we were staying in Inverness. Richard dropped us off at our B&B where we dropped off our bags and then went for supper. After supper we went back to the B&B and then called it a day.

The next morning we had breakfast before Richard picked us up to continue the tour. After picking everyone else up from their B&B's we headed out of Inverness. Our first stop of the day was Glen Affric where we took a hike by the glen and through the nearby forest. After the hike, with its beautiful views, we got back on the bus and headed back towards Loch Ness where we had a short stop to take pictures of Urquhart Castle. When we were done taking a few pictures of the castle we stopped for a picnic lunch before continuing on our way. We then passed back through Fort Augustus and then stopped at a stream where people were swimming and cliff jumping. On our way back to Edinburgh Richard told us the story behind the story of Braveheart and the history of what the movie is based on. He also drove by a few whiskey distilleries and told us some of the history of Scottish whiskey. When we got back to Edinburgh Dad had a picture taken with Richard and then we said our goodbyes. We then walked to our hostel, checked in, and then went for supper at the Filling Station Restaurant. Both Dad and I had Haggis Bites for an appetizer and then Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties (haggis, turnips, and mashed potatoes) for our meal. It was delicious! We then went back to our hostel for the night after another great day.

When we left the hostel the next day we went for a traditional Scottish breakfast and then went up to Edinburgh Castle. I took a picture of Dad with the statues of the Defender of Scotland: William Wallace and the King of Scots: Robert the Bruce. We then headed down the Royal Mile and walked through the different stores and shops. Next we went back to the hostel, picked up our bags, and caught the train back to Melton. Dad stayed with us for the night and the next morning we had breakfast and took the train to London. After lunch at Heathrow Airport I said my goodbyes to Dad before he caught his flight back home. The month of May was amazing having my Dad and Oma here.

Till next time,
Rocky