Traveling

Wednesday, 5 January 2011

Scotland 2009 - Part 4

Loch Ness And Dolphins

Friday - September 11th 2009

After a hearty breakfast we walked to Marks & Spencer to buy some snacks fur lunch, like wraps, salads and samosas. Then we drove to Loch Ness to do a boat tour on Loch Ness, where we even discovered the Loch Ness Monster on the shores of the lake.

The Loch Ness Centre

Loch Ness Monster

After we got the tickets, we boarded the boat. The tour we had booked included an one hour stop at Urquhart Castle. The landscape around the lake was really stunning and we enjoyed the tour a lot.

Loch Ness

After the ship dropped us off, we strolled through the ruins and enjoyed the sunny weather. Urquhart Castle was built on the shores of Loch Ness and was one of the largest strongholds during the medieval times in Scotland. Today there is also a visitor center which offers some very interesting informations and facts about the castle.

Urquhart Castle

An hour later the boat pickes us up again and brought us back to the harbour. Afterwards we drove to Chanonry Point to see some dolphins, but before we stopped in a little village with a small harbour to eat our wraps and salads.

A small Village by the Sea

Picnic

Then it was time for the dolphins. We parked our car and walked down to the beach. There were already some people with huge photo cameras waiting for the dolphins. At first only a seal was playing in the water, but suddenly all people were quiet and starred at the sea, because two dolphins swam by. We had never seen wild dolphins and it was such a wonderful moment.

Chanonry Point

In the late afternoon we returned to Inverness and relaxed a bit in our room. Later we walked through the little city and decided to have dinner at an Indian reastaurant. Afterwards we took a walk along the River Ness and enjoyed some drinks at another wonderful pub.

Dinner

Inverness

Tuesday, 4 January 2011

Scotland 2009 - Part 5

Visiting Eilean Donan Castle

Saturday - September 12th 2009

Today we left Inverness and drove to Fort William, the next stop on our tour through Scotland. After breakfast we bought some snacks at Marks & Spencer and then we said goodbye to Inverness. On our way to Fort William we planed to visit Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most famous Scottish landmarks.

On the way to Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle was built in the 13th century as a defence against the Vikings. Today it is a famous tourist destination and is also used as a location for Hollywood movies, like James Bond - The World is not Enough or Highlander.

Eilean Donan Castle

We decided to do the guided tour, which was very interesting, because we got to see all the rooms and the tour guide told us a lot about the history of the castle. After the tour we bought some souvenirs and enjoyed a cup of coffee at the visitors center.

View from the Castle

Eilean Donan Castle

Since it was already noon, we had our snacks for lunch and enjoyed the wonderful view on the landmark. Then we hit the road again and a few hours later we arrived at Fort William.

On our way to Fort William

Fort William

Unfortunately the owners of the bed & breakfast weren't at home yet and so we took a walk around Fort William. After we checked in, we had dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Afterwards we returned to our B&B.

Dinner at a Chinese Restaurant

Monday, 3 January 2011

Scotland 2009 - Part 6

Daytrip To Mallaig

Sunday - September 13th 2009

In Fort William we stayed at the Cuildorag Guest House, a small bed & breakfast a few kilometers outside the village. Our room was fine and offered a TV and a bathroom.

Cuildorag Guest House

Our Room

Today we had planned to visit Mallaig, a small town by the sea which is approximately 70 kilometers north-west of Fort William. Both cities are connected by the Road to the Isles, a very beautiful scenic road. Before we started our tour, we bought some snacks for lunch at the local supermarket.

Breakfast

Fort William

Supermarket

After an hour of driving we arrived at Mallaig and since it was Sunday many shops were closed. So we just walked around the town and enjoyed the lovely weather. Later we had a cup of coffee at a nice coffee house and then we drove along the coast back to Fort William. Along the coast road we stopped at several beautiful places, like sandy beaches or small villages.

Mallaig

Along the Coast

Today the weather was really nice and so we decided to stop in a very small village by the sea, where we ate our snacks and enjoyed the fantastic scenery.

Small Village at the Coast

On our way back to Fort William we took a break at the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a railway viaduct which is very famous due to the Harry Potter movies. The Hogwarts Express scenes were shot there.

On the Way to the Glennfinan Viaduct

Glennfinan Viaduct

At the Glennfinan Viaduct

Since we returned earlier than expected, we walked to a nearby ferry and visited a very small village on the other side. There we spent some time in one of the greatest pubs we have ever been. The pub was part of a hotel called The Inn at Ardgour. We had some Scottish beers and enjoyed our time there a lot.

Ferry to the Inn at Ardgour

The Inn at Ardgour

The owners of the Bed & Breakfast offered to cook dinner for us and we gladly accepted. They prepered a delicious meal with a Soup and Vegetarian Fajitas. We spent the rest of the evening with watching TV in our room.