The Best of Bonnie Scotland June 22-29, 2011. The flight and hotels were included in the price. We flew to Calgary and then on Thomas Cook Airlines to Glasgow, Scotland, arrived at 6:18 AM. Our rental car was an Audi, automatic transmission. Learning to get into the drivers seat from the right side and driving on the left was scarey. It took us a while to get out of the city and onto the Motorway. But once we were on the highway, it was easier. We made our way to the city of Perth where we were to pick up our hotel vouchers. After a little rest in our room, we decided to take a walk around. I just love the old stone buildings. We saw a ASDA store, it's like a Walmart, also McDonalds Resaurant, they seem to be everywhere.
The next day we visited the town of Pitlochry and the Blair Castle & Gardens. In Aberfeldy we went to the Information centre and the Bank of Scotland. In the town of Killin, we had lunch at Shutters Restaurant, a Haggis sandwich and a Venison Burger. Very nice. The drive was lovely through the green valleys and mountains. That night we stayed at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel in the village of Ballachulish. It had a view of the water.
It was at Urquhart Castle that we first used our Explorer Pass. We also visited the Loch Ness Centre, where they explained the legend of the Loch Ness Monster through videos. Our next stop for the night was at Inverness in the north. The hotel was in downtown and there was no parking close by so we had to walk a few blocks to our hotel. When we returned for our car in the morning, the whole parking lot was empty except for our car and the exit was closed with a chain. There was a note on our car that we should leave it chained. First we had to figure out how to open it. As it turned out it wasn't that complicated. This was an interesting town of very old churches and cemeteries.
The next day we drove to Aberdeen and then to Edinburgh where we stayed for two nights. From our hotel, Premier Inn, we were able to walk to the Edinburgh Castle and used our Explorer Pass for admittance. After the Castle tour, we walked the 'Royal Mile', where there were many neat shops. However, it started to pour rain.. typical in Scotland, I think. We stopped in at a pub for some fries and pop thinking the rain would stop. It continued to rain, so we had to buy some yellow plastic capes, because we had a long walk back to the hotel. They weren't pretty but they certainly kept us dry, and we were able to continue our walk. Stopped in at the Princes Mall and walked past a well kept park.
We had a bit of a problem getting in and out of Edinburgh, but eventually found our way. Our final destination was the city Glasgow. Here we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. But before we came to Glasgow, we tried to find the New Kilpatick Parish in Beardsden. We finally had to stop and inquire. The funeral home seemed a good place to ask and they were able to call the Parish and set up an appointment for us. It was difficult to find because there was no sign on the street. This was the birth place of a Stewart ancestor. In the city we visited the old Glasgow Cathedral. I enjoyed visiting Scotland. I loved the old stone buildings, the very green hills and valleys, the quaint little towns, and all the historic charm!!
