Living in London: Day One - Highlands Tour

Isle of Skye Adventure 2014

Though I am now posting this after the fact, it was written down in the Highlands of Scotland. And I finally have wifi in my flat so I can post this!

Day one: September 24, 2014

I am now writing from the harbor town of Portree, on the Isle of Skye in the western Highlands of Scotland. I joined a small group tour which, so far, has been a wonderful decision for me. We left from Edinburgh this morning, drove past Linlithgow, Stirling, Callendar, Rannoch Moor, saw Ben Nevis – the highest peak in Great Britain, lots of lochs, and had a marvelous time learning about Scotland.

Dr. Samuel Johnson, I think – whoever wrote the first dictionary – described Scotland as “being blessed with an abundance of rocks and water” – which I have found to be true. It’s been a long day, as the morning was very stressful for me, and we’ve done a lot of traveling. I could go to sleep now and it’s only 7:30, haha. My tour guide (named Al), has been wonderful, very funny, and really knows the area.

After checking in here [at a hostel], I’ve walked around the town center and down along the harbor. It is truly beautiful up here – wild and alive. I’ve taken a lot of photos and I hope I appreciate it later. I brought a lot of bags with me, way more than I need – but I usually live by a ‘better safe than sorry’ motto. It’s my first stay in a hostel, and I don’t love it… but it will be ok for tonight and tomorrow.

**3 additions**

1. The hostel didn’t stop playing pop radio all night long, and my bed creaked so loudly even if I rotated my head slightly. I did not sleep very well despite how tired I was. So, now I’ve stayed in a hostel and though it was cheap and had a kitchen – and was right in town – I don’t know that I would do it again…

2. Also, it was very funny – but several others on the tour with me almost continuously photographed the drive. I am not sure what they were taking pictures of… but it was really funny to watch them. Seriously, they took hundreds of photos of the same area. I take a lot of pictures – but it seemed a tad excessive. But what do I know?

3. I heard that golf originally was meant as “Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden” – for these clubs here in Scotland. I hadn’t heard that before – if it isn’t, let me know and I’ll stop spreading that rumor. :)

Pictures!

Rannoch Moor - the largest peat bog...in... I don't know but it was gorgeous.

And no, I haven't had time to do any photo editing - it was just that gorgeous naturally. This is Eilean Donan Castle, and sadly though it looks ancient... was built in the 1930s... which disappointed me. We just stopped here for a quick photo stop the first day, but came back on the final day

You can't really see it but, the picture is nice anyway - but you're looking at Skye Bridge - a recent development - they used to charge the equivalent of close to $20 to drive over it, unless you had a sheep with you... so sheep were often passengers. Haha (there isn't a fee anymore)

Portree!