Rockville, S/W Scotland

The more we travel in Scotland, the more we are attracted to the coast. Magnificent views and very few people there to enjoy them.

Arran time lapse

Loch Fyne, Scotland

Our travels took us to meet our friends, Angel and Julian, who were working (as part of their Masters study) at a fish farm on Loch Fyne.

Julian gave us an enlightening tour of the farm complex, the undoubted stars being the lumpfish - fish that feed off lice on salmon, therefore negating antibiotic use on salmon farms. It was particularly interesting to witness the different stages of development of the various species of fish.

Loch Fyne

From an elevation

Stone walls are ubiquitous in Scotland

We wanted to take a lumpfish home

Angel and Julian balanced over the halibut tank

Spot the fatty

North west Scotland

The lochs of North west Scotland juxtapose against the bleakness of the landscape. All this in area where people are notable by their absence.

Glencoe and Ben Nevis

Glencoe is the site where in 1692 the Campbell Clan, working for the Government, double crossed the McDonalds and slaughtered them. It is also an area of rugged beauty.

Ben Nevis is the highest peak in the UK, more than suitable for Brian and Pip's daily stroll!

Glencoe

Ben Nevis

Stream descending from the 'Hidden Valley'

Gretel getting arty farty with the fungus

Durness, Scotland

Situated near the northwestern point of mainland Scotland, Durness boasts beaches of beauty and cold water. For us it was the turning point of our UK visit, with all future travel southward.

Varrich Castle, Scotland

Varrich Castle is the ancestral home of Clan Mckay, a clan the boasts such illustrious descendants as Richie McCaw and Gretel Roberts. Descended from celts and norse the clan was known for its warrior like attributes, attributes that have undoubtedly been passed down through the generations.

Looking out over Kyle of Tongue estuary on the north western corner of Scotland, the clan expanded to control much of northern Scotland before the clearances reduced their power.

Even today many of the businesses located near the northern coast of Scotland carry the McKay name.

Northern Scottish Coast

The beaches on the northern coast of Scotland are remote, wild and golden. The only people we met were surfers, all a depressingly very small fraction of our age.

Dunnet Head, Scotland

Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of the mainland UK, is home to a lighthouse designed by Robert Stevenson - grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson. The setting likely provided inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson to write his stories of adventure.

The Firth of Moray

Above Inverness, the Firth of Moray is home to a number of oil rigs and the 12th oldest golf course in the world. Despite freezing water temperatures, the yacht club was vibrant with a fleet of at least 25 lasers dodging the icebergs.

Bonnie Prince Charlie

The last land battle on British soil was the 'Battle of Culloden', on the 16th April 1746. Bonnie Prince Charlie fought the Government Jacobites in a bloody battle in which most of his army of 6,000 men fell, or were butchered in the weeks that followed.

The battle field has been preserved, along with the stone walls that the Jacobite forces breached to attack the Prince Charlie from the rear.

Thankfully Gretel's ancestors, the McKay's, fought for the government.

The breach in the wall.

Loch Ness

Gretel looking for the monster.

Is that it?

Trying to catch it.

Tea with The Queen, we visit Balmoral

The Queen was 'in residence' when we called in, however was unfortunately unable to have morning tea with us. We were forced to make do with jam on bread that was purchased from the same baker in  Ballater who supplies Her Majesty with her daily loaf.

We also called in to the church that The Royal Family attend when they are at Balmoral.

No amount of persuasion would induce Heather to open the gates

The church close to Balmoral attended by the Royals

We were forced to make do with a royal loaf in the luxurious surroundings of our motorhome

The village of Ballarter, close to Balmoral

The church

The Royal pews accessed by a special side entrance.

Approaching Balmoral, the bridge over the river Dee