Early Sunday morning we left for Inverness. The weather was overcast and sure enough the rain came down. The scenery was spectacular along the way through the passes and mountains, but rain persisted and became very heavy at times. We saw snow on some of the peaks as well. We stopped for some photo opportunities but it was bitterly cold so retreated to the car very quickly.
We passed through Inverness and over the Kessock bridge onto the Black Isle where my cousin Marion lived. We then had to find our way to her home in Fortrose. which we found fairly well. I haven’t seen Marion since she was a babe and of course she thought she had never met me. We are here for 3 nights. It was good to meet her again and the family. Only their daughter Kate is still living at home. We also met Alastair, Marion’s husband. .Alastair drove us out to see some dolphins on the point after dinner. It was absolutely freezing and I was glad of my hat but had left my gloves in the car. The scenery was breathtaking.
The next morning, Monday, Marion took us on a tour of the island which was so beautiful. The sun came out and lovely blue sky, but later the rain threatened to spoil our picnic lunch which we ended up eating in the car. Warren, Jennie and Trevor all went down the hill and walked the 100 steps which was a little slippery and muddy. I stayed and chatted with Marion.
It was Marion’s birthday so we celebrated with wonderful baked salmon, baked vegies and salad which the boys had help prepare. I made a fruit salad. The strawberries were so nice - much bigger and more taste than ours at home.
Tuesday 31st May.The sun was out when we woke!!
We had a slower start today and chatted more over breakfast. Jennie prepared some bread rolls and then we drove to Culloden where the battle of 1786 (?) was fought. We saw a great display inside the building concluding with a virtual reality replay of the battle that took place between the Clansmen (Jacobites) and the English army, we were taken out onto the battlefield It was quite somber but also interesting. It was basically a civil war with English and Scots on both sides and the guide showed us where the soldiers stood, charged and fought the battle and then the spot where 1500 Jacobites and 50 English were buried .
The rain threatened as we were about to have lunch again so we sat at a picnic table under a tree. Fed the ducks and the giant gulls which would be almost double the size of our seagulls.
From here we drove to the Floral Garden which was quite beautiful. The sun was in and out again as our jumpers and coats were on and off again and again.- including the walk across to and right around an island in the fast flowing River Ness.
We then drove into Inverness City proper and bought some souvenirs for the grandchildren and enjoyed coffee and ice cream upstairs at McDonalds overlooking the lovely city. On the way
home Warren and Trevor ordered Indian ‘take away ‘in the little town of Avoch, just before Fortrose - it was really tasty and just the right amount was ordered. It was however, a little hard to digest!! Warren went to bed early as he was really sleepy and didn’t need another night of discussion about the problems of the world or the ‘in and outs’ of the British education system!!
Wednesday 1st June Brekky at 7.30 as we had a big day of driving and we were on the road around 8.30 which meant we were caught in traffic going into Inverness across the bridge.
The first stop was about an hour out at a little Loch just off the highway which allowed us to experience the beauty of the woods. It was beautiful.
We then travelled for a couple of hours before turning off the highway to fill up with petrol and a cuppa.
We stopped for lunch off the highway at a little town to buy Scottish pies. It was a very drab boring looking town with no character. It was drizzling so we ate the pies in the car.
Next stop was Jedburgh. What a contrast. It was so picturesque, beautiful, clean and unspoilt. Everything about the place was beautiful. We had only stopped to have a cuppa but decided to have a walk around the town as well. W came across Mary Queen of Scots home where she lived for some time. Of course I didn’t have my camera but fortunately Jennie did.
From here we made our final dash to Durham where we found a B & B for the night.. We had travelled through some glorious countryside and up and over many mountains.
Durham is a university city which is full of students but we were very impressed with it as we drove through looking for a B& B. We went out walking and found a place to eat and then walked around the town with its magnificent cathedral and castle.
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