Aviemore was my first journey, and a slightly disappointing one honestly. It's located in a valley within the Cairngorms, a mountain range that offers great skiing in the winter and other outdoor activities such as hiking in the summer. Unfortunately, I visited in the (still chilly) springtime, between the two peak tourist seasons. I also visited by myself, without any plans, and without any way to really get around. The actual mountains were probably a 10-15 minute car ride away, but although I could see their snowy peaks from the town I could get no closer. I did find some enjoyment in the train ride from Edinburgh, which provided some great scenery. A nice nature walk in the village also had some great views. But my favorite part of the day was walking into the local pub at 11:30am and being told that food wasn't served until noon, but I could order a pint (which I did)! To the best of my knowledge, serving alcohol before noon is highly unusual (if not illegal) where I come from.
10 days later Tiz and I went on a bus tour from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and the Glengoyne whisky distillery; this was actually her Christmas present to me. Stirling Castle was amazing, with great views of the surrounding area as it was located on top of a hill. The entry fee was quite steep (£13, or about $20), but the guided tour was interesting and I wish we had been given a bit more time there. After a quick lunch of fish & chips in a village called Aberfoyle, we walked along the shores of Loch Lomond. It was a beautiful day for it, with temperatures reaching the very unusual high of about 16-17C (61-63F) in late March. From a hill by the side of the Loch we could see the real mountains of the Western Highlands to the north. Finally, we went to the whisky distillery which was not really my thing or Tiz's, but we managed to get a free sample each. It was a day greatly enjoyed by us both.
Finally, Tiz and I decided last week to visit Dunnottar castle, located near the village of Stonehaven south of Aberdeen. She and her mother visited last summer, and were very impressed and thought I should see it. It certainly did not disappoint. Dunnottar is one of those few places that looks stunning in photographs, but is actually more astounding in person. Bordered on three sides by steeps cliffs descending to the frigid North Sea, this castle offers absolutely incredible views, not to mention a history that includes William Wallace and the Crown Jewels of Scotland (albeit 350 years apart). Despite the fact that it's likely to be quite cold any time between September and May, I highly recommend Dunnottar to anyone and everyone.
Well, it's bedtime in Istanbul and I must end there. Pictures are below, and expect a post about shenanigans in Turkey and Ireland very soon!
No comments:
Post a Comment