We set off after our time on Islay heading North looking forward to some mountain air and walks. Unfortunately the weather was not on our side and we had a week of mostly rain which limited our activities a bit due to lifts being closed and not the safest underground for some walks. We stopped at Glencoe, Fort William and walked along Neptunes Ladder which is 12 locks connecting 2 rivers.
We then stopped at the main town of Loch Ness, Drumnadrochit, on a quest to find the Loch Ness Monster. We enjoyed staying in the car park of a local pub which had a small brewery in the garage which turned out to be set up and run by a man from Harrogate. We went out on a boat trip looking for Nessy but it did not show itself for us.
Fort George near Inverness was a great stop. It is a working fort but parts have been turned into a museum which had some great exhibitions.
We headed down through the Cairngorms National Park, stopping at some great little villages with lovely walks. Glenmore was an amazing oasis in the middle of the National Park. The lakeside beach providing easy access to swim and sail on the clear lake waters. The Reindeer Center here provided a memorable moment for Connor and I when we went into the hills to meet the reindeer and had the opportunity to hand feed them.
Alvie Estate near Aviemore provided a great days entertainment for the family. I went for a great horse ride through the estate forests and the boys did a zip wire course which ended with a 550m line.
Dundee and then onto St Andrews. My dad would have been in heaven here with the golf courses. Great car park right on the water front. Paul and Connor stood at either side of Gregory’s Meridian Line, the place where time began!
Dunbar and the weather provided a great show of the waves crashing over the wall of the tiny sea port.
As a fan of Harry Potter, Connor was very excited to go to Alnwick Castle and spot places where some of the scenes from the movie had been filmed. We also had broom flying lessons and fought a dragon.
