The sun was shining brightly as we left Oban after a hearty breakfast at the BnB. Our goal was to drive the entire "Great Glenn" which is a long valley filled with lakes (lochs) that were formed by a giant glacier. The Glenn runs from southwest to north east and ends in Inverness. The inventive Scots also put canals and locks between the lochs so that there is a water passage all the way from one end to the other. We drove over several one lane bridges spanning inlets and soon found ourselves on the shores of Loch Linnhe.
Jeff here - Driving through the Scottish highlands was easy on the eyes. Around every turn lay amazing vista's, multi colored mountains that spanned the horizon, 59 shades of green, lochs that make Dorena, where we park our boat, look minor league, and flowers everywhere Let's just say it was an enjoyable car cruise.
The only issue was driving on the left. The roads were built from wagon tracks left from the 19th century. Narrow? Not really as long as you are comfortable with a 14 inch margin of error on either side. This is not an issue until you have a city bus, semi truck or a piece of farm machinery that spans one and 1/2 lanes on a blind curve. Choices are somewhat limited to hitting the curb or....well dying.
We chose the curb on more than a few occasions.
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| The intrepid driver. Successfully avoided all hazards except the occasional left curb |
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| Narrow with no shoulder |
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| What happens when you hit the curb too hard. This couple we met had to wait 5 hours for a tow. |
We stopped at Fort William for a much needed break from the road where my knuckles almost lost their pale sheen and my pits dried out - yes, I will cop to fear. Fort William was a picture postcard town. Lots of cobblestone and old store fronts. We stopped for coffee, (make mine decaf as I didn't need any more jitters) and enjoyed the locals speaking with such a strong Scottish accent that most words were indeterminate but all was harmonic.
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| A nice walking mall in downtown Fort William |
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| This little boy really wanted to drive |
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| Jeff meets a friend |
After Fort William, we continued up the Great Glen and past Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Scotland. We stopped at a roadside memorial to fallen Scottish soldiers who had trained in the area. It was a grand panorama of scenery from the hill where the memorial had been placed.
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| Ben Nevis |
We cruised up Loch Ness with an eye out for Nessie. No Nessie but lots of fellow tourons on the same mission. We stopped at Drumnadrochit, (say that 5 times fast I dare you) where we had lunch They had every possible form of merchandise featuring poor Nessie in some pretty embarrassing poses.
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| Beautiful Loch Ness |
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| And no sign of Nessie |
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| Loch Ness is huge.....long and deep. |
From there it was on to Inverness, home of the round about. We had a reservation at a city center hotel, the Mercure. We inputted the address into our GPS and Vera, our ethereal voice started pouring out commands - 3rd exit at the round about, 2nd left, right where McGooney's barn burned down 12 years ago. With Kat bravely navigating, we entered the maze. The 3rd time we passed by O"Dougal's bar and pig bites, we began to believe that we were...well lost. After eliminating 58% of the city streets, we accidentally came across the Mercure, making great time and getting there at 4:20 P.M. Coincidence??? I think not.
Checking in we are half way through the paper work when the magic of Inverness continued. Sirens blaring, staff downed ugly lime green bibs and said "it's a fire alarm and time to clear the building". Ahhh, Inverness in the fall, standing out in a parking lot with hordes of bewildered souls listening to a shrill, ear piercing siren for 58 minutes while the local fire department clears the building.
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| What the heck???? |
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| Waiting for the fire squad to clear the building. Jeff positioned himself to make a quick dash to the desk |
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| Jeff enjoying a Irn Bru (pronounced iron brew)--Rebus' favorite Scottish Soda |
The alarm stopped wailing and we were told that there was a "all clear". I left Kathy and the horde in the dust and was the first one to burst through the door, took a stairwell 3 steps at a time to beat the rush at the check in desk. Imagine my surprise to find a family(s) of 17 asians lined up at the desk...how do they do that???
We then finished checking in and went to our room for a well deserved break (nap). I wanted to go to a Curry shop where my hero, John Rebus, a continuing character in Ian Rankin books, dines. Kat asked the counterman a question concerning the menu..he smirked and turned his back...(stupid Americans) and we didn't miss a beat turning on our collective heels and heading for the door. We did find a old pub where the food was good, the beer better and the sticky toffee pudding that we have become addicted to was wonderful as per usual.
Overall.. another wonderful, but at times trying day in Scotland.
