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

On the way to Eilean Donan Castle

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

Eilean Donan Castle

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

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

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

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

Mallaig

Mallaig

Along the Coast

Along the Coast

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

Small Village at the Coast

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 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.

Dinner

Dinner