Waterfalls, Castles and Coos

Let me tell ye a wee story about a young lad an lass who took a journey in a nobel steed around the Scottish countryside.

Our story begins in the capital Edinburgh apon a mighty hill. Our wee couple walk down, belongs on their backs to collect Chuck from Wiked Campervans. Ye first drive was a hurdle of highways and roondaboots but they fought on. Armed with sheets they wandered to Falkirk to observe the canal wheel spin and boats pass by.

Traffic was terrible on ‘is bank holiday, so our protagonists skipped the ques an left for Stirling. Apon acquiring a space for Chuck to rest, ye old lass found a Christmas store which brought much joy as they climbed yet another city perched on a hill.

Another castle and some icecream, a cute wee walk to the beheading stone. Onwards and out. Till another castle in Doune. Although closed for repair, the river walk was magical; our own wee island.

The sky was closing and our pals needed shut eye. They drove along Loch Venachar searching for a spot to park. A wee carpark on the shore was a grand place to cook their soup and tea.

They survived day one with gleeful smiles and rested their eyes after watching the sun depart on ye mountain side.

Cooked porraige and berries became a staple for these two human folk each morning. Armed with fuel they scampered along the trails of Bracklinn Falls in Callender towards a bridge that no longer stands. Nonetheless the waterfall was something of majesty.

A wee stop at The Broch where they had the first decent coffee in a long time. Another water way to explore and on they chuffed.

Water was the theme of the day. Into Dochart they drove, over ye bridge and first carpark waa theirs. Th’young lad made jam sandwiches and carried them onto the rocky field. On completion the running water was the wash source. Thee falls themselves weren’t bad either.

On they drove to the green welly to fill water, groceries and the loo. Soon they found Bridge of Orchy and considered it for the night. Many people deterred their sleeping spirts and on they went.

Maybe a roadside nook would be their second sleep. They found one but troubled by the close highway they cooked up their stir-fry they journeyed on.

Desperate to find camp before sun down they trecked into Glencoe, down a narrow road with many campers in no parking zones. In this beautiful paradise they found a single spot for Chuck. The boy climbed a wee hill while she sat journalling under the giants arms.

Our explorers found curiousity sparked by a posse of wee lads; filming themselves flipping and swinging on signs. After they left, opportunity was abundant for their curiosity to be investigated. Down down down and just look at what they found.

In the morrow further into the valley they trecked. A glimpse at Skyfall bridge and onto the ruins of Etive castle and Loch Etive was the breakfast veiw for day three.

The second stop was only across the A road. Where reindeer fed and the humans washed in 1 pound showers. Armed with coffee after a milk refill (which took so long they think he milked a cow) they were ready, fresh and excited.

Driving through Glencoe with all the tourists was where it began. Traffic. People. Traffic. Their washing stop was all booked out so they found a little place called Caol. Egg rolls and grannie cakes with a supermarket in walking distance while their washing got clean. So quaint and much nicer than where the rest of the tourists were.

They should have seen the warning signs. All the carparks were full. Alass they found a highway park half an hours walk away and trecked to see a beautiful bridge, tainted by a popular movie. They missed the steam train but gained more knowledge about what they like. Peace and lack of others.

Stuck in traffic for 20 mins they made a smart decision to skip Fort William and The Steel Falls. Sadly they trecked north and crossed Spean Bridge. Nervously driving over a loch and narrow roads; again.

Our lass found them a new waterfall to admire- Eas Chia-Aig Waterfalls. Noting that nearby professionals were applying bug spray they bravely sought liquid gold from these friendly folk. Striding over the rocks they ate some sweet pastries and washed their sticky fingers in the running water; again.

A wee bit further down the road they found Loch Arkaig- spoiler, a new fav. Searching for Allt Mhuic Butterfly Reserve these young explorers tried to follow some lackless signs and were startled by a snake. Small and slow they giggled a little. With research finding out the creature they encountered was infact a legless lizard.

Wading through long grass and hugging the fence line they increases their vertical position. With stunning views and another legless creature afoot, a road was found. Crossing yet another waterfall, finally they found a sign and down they trot.

Doing a double take and not hitting the four deer that lept in front of them, camp was the first spot they picked on the drive in. Stunning views of the loch, up on a hill Chuck was happy. They were all happy and had a good rest that night.

An early start to make head way further north. Brekky with a view continues in our tale, this time on Bridge of Oich. Gas and milk bottles in tow.

Another long leg along Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle. Standing tall, broken and beautiful, our knights stood strong in the wind. Learning through audio tour about the firey history of this ruined castle on the most famous Loch of them all.

Next stop on the tour of the north, The Great Glen Gin Distillery. The smallest in Scotland. The tastiest of the day (to be fair only one was experienced this day). Very responsible our lass did not taste but just bought a bottle to enjoy after more memories were made. -no photos at this so, too busy enjoying the gin, so instead enjoy us posing with the Nessy next door.

On their way they found the gallery of an artist, Karen Price who painted a coo called Tuffty. Our heroine fell in love at first sight. Her well to do husband smuggled a coaster without her knowing at Urquhart Castle and they were able to meet Karen the artist and observe her completing a new needle felted painting. Absolute awe.
https://www.kpriceart.co.uk/

Coos were the lady’s favourite part of her previous trip to this country. She continued her love this trip too. Purchasing a second coo in the collection, choice between one Karen had personally photographed or Morven staring in “A little Birdy Told Me”. Morven called to her.

Without a plan they clambered away from the Loch and into Beauly. A wee stop at the ruins of Beauly Priory, with big arches and many stories gone untold.

A rough plan took them past a road where a dairy sign took their eyes (maybe it was the baby coo on the side of the road). A gift shop, alpacas, sheep and fortunately for her a close encounter with the friendly beasts themselves. What a COOl day.

Ice-cream called and was found in a road side cooler room with a cheese vending machine and donation box. Black Isle Dairy- homemade highland ice cream. Although Chuck had ice in his chilly bin, it didn’t quite make it, past Craig Castle to Fairy Glen Falls.

Wearing coats and eating their semi melted ice cream they scadoolled along the babbling brook and found not one but two waterfalls. You could hear their happy hearts sing in the dense forest Oasis.

Rounding off The Black Isle with a wee lookout at Chanonry Point. Just in time to read it’s famous for seeing dolphins; prophecy came true.

The biggest day of all. Many miles, wildlife and joy. Our explorers found camp this time next to some farmland drinking their gin, potato pancakes and trying some scotch tablet. Day four done well.

Many trucks awoke our young couple, you can’t even escape roadworks on holiday. Fortunately they were going in the opposite direction and got on their way. A stone circle and a short stroll to make their porrage along a wee walking path just of The Brae, Kincraig (fitting I must say).

Filled with food, coffee was required. An old post office turned coffee art gallery was their choice. Coffee wasn’t flash but a very nice experience nonetheless.

Getting weary the lad and lass didn’t want to waist their last few days; waiting for inspiration to strike. Meandering through Dalwhinnie then to Blair Atholl a strange tourist hub trapped them. Food and clothes for days but the loo was all they needed.

Alongside this metro amoung the mountains was a trail our explorers couldn’t resist. They chose the safe path which was still quite verticle. Half way up they bumped into their friendly folk halfway across the country that they met a few days prior. Small but steep world they live.

At the end of the trail lay The Falls of Bruar. Not the most impressive they had seen for the altitude that was climbed. However, included in this was entertainment of the adrenaline type. Overlooking the top bridge stood a line of on lookers watching young wetsuited humans plunge themselves into the rock pools and slippery slide down. Absailing clips for added safety and a fun treat to observe.

Bellies rumbled and the Atholl Arms- Scottish pub was just what the doctor ordered. That was the day young lassy had a delicious deep-fried halumi burger and burnt the roof of her mouth. He had mouth watering steak pie. The water wheel was dry and fortunately their alcohol intake was too so on they went.

Ma and Pa Pratt recommended Pitlochry and a good one it was at that. Always up for the non tourist stop, our water loving chums parked just out of town. Crossed the hyropowered dam and were boggled at the fish ladder. The lad saw the biggest fish of his life while me lady feared for her life crossing a cable bridge. Through the main street shops were shut but the wee town still had much charm.

Before they found camp, a stroll through Dunkeld for the closed Abbey; filled them with sadness. The majestic stream, giant leaf room and Ossian cave in The Hermitage was exactly what these wearied wanders needed but not more than to finally see a red squirrel dart across the highway.

Chuck’s wheels rolled on. Lacking in places for him to rest, a carpark in a nature reserve was chosen. Wild deer nearby and a learning stroll rounded out day five.

The camping comrades come close to closing the trip but not before another gin distillery; closed. Back to the Kelpies that were never seen on day one due to crowds. Day 6 brings full circle and sentational sights of big horses in the sky.

Coincidently some traveler friends from their home lands were also viewing the Kelpies on this day and they had a swift 10 mins to share together.

Ready to farewell Chuck the clean up began. A vacuum, fuel and pack their things. Back into Edinburgh via the water for one last scenic stroll. This home away from home was a swell second leg and allowed them to see the b roads and stop off the beaten track to experience Scotland’s authentic self.

Love your narrator of this fine journey.