Touring Scotland- Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, and Nessie

We arose early the next morning, got ready for breakfast, and set our luggage out. Capt. Larry was amazed at how fast the 220v. in room electric teapot could boil a quart of water. But instant coffee and tea were the only offerings. We went down to breakfast which was served buffet-style. There were the usual fresh fruits, pastries, cold cuts and cheeses along with a number of hot dishes. Capt. Larry got his eggs and sausages, but was emboldened to try the “dark” or blood sausage which he had not eaten since his childhood days when his father made it (and a lot of other weird recipes) whenever they butchered hogs. As he ate his patty, he remembered that this was definitely an acquired taste!

After checking out of the hotel, we boarded our bus which was to take us to high country of Scotland, the Scottish highlands.

Scottish Highlands

Not far from Glasgow, we came upon the famous Loch Lomond which is renowned for its unsurpassed beauty.

The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is an important landmark in Scottish history, because it was the site of some very important battles. Our take is that throughout history, the Scots seemed to always be fighting someone over something. If they weren’t fighting the English, they were fighting among themselves, but maybe this isn’t really any different than most cultures. They just are represented as a very garrulous bunch of people. Our bus driver and tour guide played some beautiful music about Loch Lomond.

We rode for another one and one-half hours and came to a rest stop called the Green Kelly. A Kelly is very much like a shrimp boot painted green.

At GlenCoe

After the restroom break we were able to shop for souvenirs and Capt. Larry bought himself another “be-bop” (Jane’s term) hat. We boarded our bus and headed to another stop at a woolen mil where we had lunch with our Ocean Springs, MS friends, Frank and Carol Ann. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of fish and chips and a tall glass of beer and could feel the pounds start to defeat our dieting. After lunch we shopped the tourist trap where Capt. Larry was able to buy some local single malt scotch. Jane found some Scottish woolen goods (if it ain’t Scottish, it’s CRAP!).

Loch Ness

We left the stop and traveled to Glen Coe, notorious for the Campbell massacre of the Clan McDonald in 1692. We saw Scotland’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and stopped and took some photos before travelling on to Ft. William. Ft. William is a major city and the people living between Glasgow and Ft. William only have these two cities to shop in and obtain the goods they need in everyday life.

Nessie and her baby

We stopped at the Spean Bridge Woolen Mill which offered a good selection of quality Scottish goods. We proceeded on and went to Ft. Augustus to embark on a short cruise on Loch Ness. We kept an eye out for “Nessie” and admired the lovely scenery of this long, narrow lake, and quite a deep lake approaching 800 feet deep with a very, very sharply glacially carved cliffs and bottom.

Swing bridge to Loch Ness channel

We spotted “Nessie” and her baby which were actually figures on the boat’s windows which looked like they were swimming in the water when photographed at the right angle.

Waiting for the bridge to close

Returning to Ft. Augustus, we found a series of locks which caused us to reminisce about our Great Loop trip and our locking experiences. We were questioned by our fellow travelers about what it is like to take a boat through a lock, and Jane filled them in with her exaggerated flare.

Our room at the Narin castle

We left Ft. Augustus and rode to Narin, Scotland for a “Scottish  Highland Evening.” Here we were boarded in a 56 room castle which has been converted into a hotel.   We had a traditional Scottish meal which featured haggis.

Nice digs

Mmmmmmm! Haggis!

Haggis is a Scottish culinary mainstay of vegetables, meats, and certain sweetbreads (kidney is a major component) boiled in a sheep's stomach. Amazingly, Jane ate her entire portion in spite of what it was explained to contain, and Capt. Larry enjoyed his share.
It was probably not Jane’s most favorite food, but she was a real trooper in eating her share.

Frank and Carol Ann

Scottish dancers

We finished our dinner with dessert and entertainment which consisted of a bagpiper, an accordion player, and two young girls performing traditional Scottish dances in traditional Scottish garb.

Bagpiper and accordion player

The girls were good!

The dancers were formally trained in ballet and they danced to everyone’s immense enjoyment.