Scotland 2026 – Day 9 – Wester Ross

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After a slow start, breakfast, putting the laundry away, making a picnic lunch we were finally off and travelling out of Inverness..

Out first stop was Garve on the road to Ullapool. There sat in the station was the Royal Scotsman, the Belmond Company Special train which does tours of Scotland. The clients had just been disembarked on to two busses which would take them off to see the sights prior to rembarking at another station…probably Inverness or Avimore. the train is hauled by a deselect locomotive with the Belmont Royal Scotsman’s livery.

After the buses departed we walked onto the platform for a few more photos of its reception and the platform at the rear of its observation car .

Having peered through the window of the dinning car …

I cheekily asked the train manager if I could step aboard to take a picture…he a little reluctantly agreed…

After a few photos I started to wander back to the car…as it was once again raining….just as these two reprobates left the platform ..!!!

We drove on from here through some fabulous countryside……it was of course raining but this only increased the dramatic eerie moorland with its sheer granite rock faces. We were going to explore Wester Ross.

Arriving at Ullapool. We drove along the front of the quayside. Quite a few ferries go from here to other Scottish Islands and the port was a hive of activity.

We found a nice looking hotel and had coffee and used their conveniences.

We back tracked a little before turning off to Gairloch. This time we drove along the edge of Broom Loch. The Loch had loads of Oyster farms, which always fascinate me….as we drove on we continued to drive along well potholed roads, some were single tracks with passing places eventually winding our way along Little Broom Loch….both of the lochs run into the sea. We stopped at a stunning viewing laybye for our picnic lunch….

As we travelled on we saw loads of Christmas tree plantations …as well as some beautiful beaches….

On our circular route we joined the Kyle of Lochalsh – for Skye- Road at Achnasheen. We’ve seen deer here on the railway track before now…however we were thinking we weren’t going to be lucky ….. but on leaving the station we did see a pair of Oyster Catchers near the pond.

Back on the main road, I suddenly swerved into a lay-bye, this time it wasn’t to avoid the ever present potholes ….it was because I had spied a real beauty…

We continued on along the edge of the Loch Maree and called at the Beinn Eighe visitors centre…really to use their loos but they had some great information boards as well.

Arriving back at Inverness we struggled to find a way across the River Ness, due to one of the bridges being closed due to an accident …we did eventually make it back having stopped at Tesco to pick up a gammon joint, vegetables, croquet potatoes and trifle for supper….however we ended up eating rather late due to the fight I had with the cooker, hob & microwave !!! Why can’t all appliances work the same?????

More sightseeing tomorrow….

Scotland 2026 – Day 8 – Spending time with a friend.

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We had a slow start to the day, not least because my tummy had misbehaved during the night. John got up and walked to the station. He waved my sister and brother in-laws train goodbye, but didn’t see them.

Having caught up with emails, claimed my lottery win….yeah!!!! Ok …you guessed it was £5 …..well!! ….my Grandpa used to say if you “look after the pennies the pounds will look after themselves” ….so £5 is not to be sneezed at…I decided to frivolously reinvest it !!!

At midday we took the car, the stones throw, down the hill to the Eastgate shopping centre carpark….not because we are lazy but because the steep walk back up is too much for us.

Dad went and sat in The Royal Highland Hotel lounge, while John and I went to meet Steve off the Aberdeen incoming train. Steve and Mags have been friends of mine for 35 years. We met while I was working in Africa. Several years ago they moved up to Nairn. Very sadly Mags passed away, recently, unexpectedly. However she was very much with us in spirit today as we laughed our way through a very pleasant lunch in The Royal Highlanders Ash restaurant. We were extremely grateful to Steve for making the considerable effort to come into the city to meet up.

Lunch and afternoon coffee went far too quickly. The hotel still has the wonderful charm of a bygone era. The ladies loo is more like a good old fashioned powder room….huge with superb large oval table combined with modern sinks and toilets…..and strangely enough a photocopier ….that made me laugh…I suppose they have to put it somewhere……On several occasions we have stayed here, but this time they were full. I had thought about turning the trip around but when I looked up the price, it made me gulp….we are very comfortable in our AirB&B…But that didn’t stop us enjoying the hotels ambiance and getting the “must have” photos on the impressive staircase.

We walked with Steve back to the station, so he could catch the 20 minute trip home. He knows he has an open invitation to come and visit us…it had been so lovely to spend time with him.

We decided to take drive across onto the Black Isle. Enjoying the wonderful scenery before driving back along the edge of the Beauly Firth.

We arrived back at our accommodation which was snug and warm.

Scotland 2026 – Day 7 -Falkirk to Inverness

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We set off at 9.45 and made good time. Straight on to M9 which leads on to the A9….a very straight forward route. Good roads and easy driving. Leaving plenty of time to enjoy the wonderful scenery.

Our first stop was at Blair Atholl station for John to photograph a train. We also had a very nice cup of coffee….scored 10/10!!, at The Atholl Arms Hotel

The scenery was fairly dramatic

With patches of snow…

Contrasting with beautiful vibrant bluebells …

We continued on our way passed Drumochter Pass which is the highest point on the UK rail network.

We stopped of at Kingussie.

There were still a lot of Daffodils out.

We sat in the station carpark having our sandwiches.

From here we dropped in at Avimore. It would have been rude to pass by and not call in at the station and the toilets !!!!

On we went up to and passed Slochd one of the steepest climbs on the rail network and also a place of mass humiliation for me……many, many years ago on my first time to Scotland with John we stopped here to have a picnic lunch….I asked John if any trains were coming and he assured me there were none due…so I walked along the line side footpath and found a nice big bush which shielded me from the road….bursting for a wee I squatted down…..mid flow a steam train appeared over the rise with a viewing platform on the back of the train, this was full of oriental tourists and their cameras….they were not shy in clicking away at me in mid-wee!!!!! Talk about embarrassing….Johns only excuse – to this day- is that in those days they didn’t put “The Specials” on the internet timetable …..ummmm…I haven’t quite forgiven him yet…of course he found it hysterically funny…so every time we go by John takes a picture of it…just to remind me!!!!

Just after Slochd you can see the dramatic viaduct at Tomatin

We continued on through the countryside.

Around about 2.30 we arrived in Inverness and easily found our AirB&B – a very nice ground floor of a period house. 2 double bedrooms, one en-suite and the other next to a bathroom, a large lounge with two big comfortable settees and a well equipped kitchen……The washing was soon on and we rested before going our for supper.

We went to The White House because we were meeting my sister and her husband for the evening. They just happened to be here on holiday at the same time as us. We had a very nice meal before returning to our accommodation for a much needed good nights sleep.

Scotland – 2026 – Day 6 – Falkirk

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We had a slower start to the day because it was Sunday….The daylight streamed in early dawn but soon turned to black rain clouds.

The 3 of us breakfasted in our room. My son Jak phoned from Spain….rubbing salt into the wounds as they had bright blue skies, high temperature and were about to walk the dogs….whilst we waited for a dry moment to bolt to the car.

Today was a ‘Jackson’ mystery tour….John had the map and directed us up into the hills. There was an absolute palette of colours…the most striking being the vibrant yellow gorse, sparklingly bright from the rain…what a picture..

There was also beds of bluebells in roadside woodlands….

…clumps of daffodils still bloom…

Lambs of various ages all added to our belief that Scotlands cooler climate allows its nature to flourish at what we call ‘the normal time of year’. Where as down south our daffodils and bluebells were over a month ago.

We were also amazed at the most beautifully kept gardens in the little hamlets and villages. The array of wonderful colourful rhododendrons were absolutely stunning.

We stopped at a view point…one side was bright sunshine whilst the other was grey low cloud…I just managed to get a couple of shots before the heavens opened …

We drove on enjoying the views in the dry warmth of the car.

Around lunch time we arrived back at The Kelpies, where we ate our sandwiches and used their conveniences.

Then we dropped John at Falkirk High Station so he could go and train spot, while Dad and I went back to the hotel.

We picked John up at 18.20 and went straight to the Beijing Banquet again….we had enjoyed it so much a few days ago we decided to do an “eat, repeat” experience..

Tomorrow we have along trip up to Inverness.

North To Scotland – 2026 – Day 5 -Falkirk

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Yesterday evening we decided not to go out for supper…too much restaurant food is never good….especially when it’s all much the same….PLEASE someone teach our hospitality businesses that there are more vegetables in the world than just peas and carrots!! So an earlier in the day, trip to Tesco had precured two lasagnes for the boys and a Paella for me, some bananas and some cheesecake for the boys. I used the hotel staff microwaves to heat everything up and they provided us with additional chairs so we could all eat together in our room……a good option…we’ll do the same tomorrow with some different ready meals before resuming our eating out regime….its the first time we’ve ever done this but it worked very well and we were all happy.

Day 5 – Out and about around Falkirk

I dropped John at Falkirk high station and then returned to the Premier Lodge for breakfast in out room with Dad. Cornflakes, Albran and a yoghurt…. great for the constitution !!! We then went to Tesco and selected meals for lunch and the evening. After which the good old Waze Sat. Nav. got us to Callendar House.

Callendar House has a 600 year history and, during these years, it has been host to many important historical figures, including Mary Queen of Scots, Oliver Cromwell, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Queen Victoria. The mansion is set within the grounds of Callendar Park. The current building is by far the most historical in the area. It has an impressive 300ft frontage. It was redesigned and extended, in the style of a French Renaissance Chateau, fused with elements of Scottish Baronial architecture, during the 19th century. The main core of the building is a 14th century tower house.

The House is completely free to visit. On Entering you are greeted by some extremely friendly staff who issue you with a self guide brochure and point out where the lift is to allow you easy access to the 2 higher floors. We wandered around the ground floor which was covered in information boards and displays.

The guide book took us on to the Kitchen…what a place..

The breakfast menu brought back fond memories… i reminded Dad of how my Grandpa had liked to have Devilled Kidneys, Ham and Eggs for his breakfast and Dad said that it was his favourite whilst he was doing his National Service.

Next to the kitchen was a small snug where an interactive film brought you into the kitchen and taught you what it was like to be a kitchen maid…

We took the lift upstairs and encountered a few more displays.

By now we were ready for the coffee shop… scones with butter and jam and Americano coffees were the order of the day….

After refreshment we decided to leave Callendar house…a bus trip had arrived and it was getting very busy.

We drove into Lanarkshire and enjoyed the beautiful countryside. The gorse was in full flower as far as you could see was amass of bright yellow…..

For those of you who know me you’ll know I have a strange sense of humour and I had it in my head I wanted to see Fannyside Loch !!!!No explanation offered…. The route took us along some very narrow lanes surrounded by peat bogs and moorland….little lambs frolicked in the fields and on the scrubland….small hamlets with impressive farmhouses and beautiful scenery across the horizon…Finally we came across a small sailing club on Fannyside Loch…however that was the only view of the loch and there was nowhere to park to enjoy the view…

Having appeased my curiosity we headed back …it turned into a “Sumner” mystery tour, because waze had gone on strike and Dad was on the map. With us both a bit uncertain as to where we were we suddenly came upon the outskirts of Falkirk and realised we had done a giant circle..

Traversing the town to get to our hotel, It was very busy with crowds of people mostly young men streaming along the pavements ….it soon became apparent that Falkirk had been playing at home to Rangers and as it had been a 12.30 kickoff we were catching the after match crowds…

The hotel receptionist confirmed this as she had come straight from the match, disappointed that Falkirk had lost but pleased that Celtic had won the Scottish Championship…

Another lovely day exploring the area…more tomorrow