AYE LADDIE, IT'S SCOTLAND

As you can tell by the photo we are now in Scotland.  If you ever had difficulty understanding an Englishman when he speaks, try understanding a Scotsman.  You just about need a translator.  We arrived in the small village of Spean Bridge in the Scottish Highlands.  We are staying at Faegour House a very nice B&B run by Sadie and Roberto.  Roberto greeted us upon arrival and after showing us our large room, provided us with a welcome tea and cookies in the lounge.

The view from our bedroom and the lounge looks out towards Ben Nevis.  At 4400 feet it is the tallest mountain in United Kingdom, small by our standards, but a real challenge to climb.  First you're starting from sea level and secondly the weather is almost always bad.  We have yet to actually see the mountain as it is covered in clouds most of the time.  We opted to save the climb up for another trip.

BEN NEVIS IN THE CLOUDS

We started out as we often do in a new place by taking a hike, I mean walk.  We headed up Nevis Glen to the end of the road where we picked up the trail into Nevis Gorge.  A beautiful climb through the trees with the river crashing below in the gorge.

THAT'S SOME TOAD STOOL

The destination of the walk is Steall Falls in a very broad glen.  (Think big valley).  This whole area is a walkers heaven.  Just like the rest of the  UK there are trails everywhere.  Lots of uphill climbs here in the Highlands.  We've been taking it easy taking short, 5 miles or less walks.

WE CAME ACROSS THIS ROPE (CABLE) BRIDGE 

MUST BE USE TO GET ACROSS THE RIVER

DID WE GO ON?

Took a drive to Glencoe.  It is said that the name Glen Coe means the Glen of Weeping.  In 1692 38 MacDonalds from the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed by the guest who had accepted their hospitality, on the grounds that the MacDonalds had not been prompt in pledging allegiance to the new English monarchs, William and Mary.  Another 40 women and children died of exposure after their homes were burned.  In essence the government sanctioned the murder of these people.   A Scottish guest at our B&B made a point in telling me that it was murder by the crown.  I guess some are still upset about the incident.

On our drive we took one of those one lane Scottish roads into Glen Etive.  Very beautiful and lonely place.  We saw just a few other people exploring the area like we were.

These signs are often seen at the exit to tourist sites.  Actually I've been doing pretty good at staying to the left.  The main issue has been getting in the side of the car with the steering wheel.

We drove up to Inverness along side of Loch Ness.  Lock Ness at 37 miles in length and very deep, contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.  By connecting Lock Ness with other locks and the Caledonian Canal, one can travel by boat from the east coast of Scotland to the west coast.

INVERNESS

URQUHART CASTLE ON LOCK NESS

We have one more day in Scotland before we head south to the Lake District.  I'll post the second installment of our Scotland adventure in a day or two.  Time for Tea!