Scottish Tour July 2007

New Lanark

There must be something about Scotland that makes me want to blog as I haven't blogged since my last trip to Scotland in February!!!

Saturday, 14th July 2007 saw the realisation of a long held ambition. Yesterday we travelled north of the border, and today we find ourselves visiting the site of Robert Owen’s mills at New Lanark where he created a community for his workers with conditions and a lifestyle that was to inspire Bourneville, Saltaire and the Co-Operative movement. We took delight in visiting the classroom where Owen commenced the first ever infant school, the village store and the housing, which allowed us a glimpse of life in both the 1930’s and the early nineteenth century. There was an opportunity to actually see the threads being spun on 19th Century working textile machinery, and to see a large water mill of the type that powered the mills. We had a delightful walk along the riverside upstream to the Falls of Clyde. Robert Owen has been a hero of mine and I loved this opportunity to see first hand where he commenced a revolution!

Last night we stayed not far from New Lanark at Abington, but tonight we shall be staying at the Caledonian in Beauly just outside Inverness.

Exploring Scotland’s North East Coast

A sunny Sunday morning found us taking the road out to the Black Isle following the coastline out to Cromarty the picturesque village at the eastern end its name immortalised by the shipping forecast. In the sunshine the roads winding beside the water were calm and peaceful. Leaving the Black Isle we headed to Dornoch and spent a pleasant hour sitting outside a street café in the sunshine, eating our Caesar salad and ice-cream, and having a read of the Sunday papers. On the road again to Dunrobin Castle, which was magnificent inside and had outstanding formal gardens with views to the sea. We continued north to Helmsdale before leaving the coast and taking the interior single track road through the mountains and across the heaths and marshes. Wild and remote, this road brought us spectacular scenery and vast horizons for over forty miles before we arrived in Thurso on the north coast.


Wet and Wild

That’s how we would describe the weather today (Monday, 16th July) as we explored the north eastern corner of Scotland. From Dunnet Head, the most northerly tip of mainland Britain, around to Wick via John O’Groats. The most outstanding visit of the day was to the Castle of Mey, the only property actually owned by the Queen Mother. We found ourselves enchanted by the Queen Mother as we caught a glimpse into her private life even down to her tastes in music and comedy, viewing some of her c.d., record and video collection. What a warm inviting and friendly home, an experience enhanced by guides who were knowledgeable, enthusiastic and very friendly. We lunched in the brand new visitor centre, which is to be officially opened by Prince Charles in August. We were lucky to be able to visit the castle as Charles and Camilla were due to arrive on the 19th July. Finally mention must be made of the walled gardens built in this most bleak position but which with careful management produce an abundance of flowers and vegetables. My camera was clicking away at the blooms!

In the midst of the wild wetness near Wick we did visit the Lyth Arts Centre. This beautifully equipped exhibition centre and theatre seems almost surreal in this bleak position. It was hosting an excellent art and photographic exhibition but this appears to change at night into a vibrant jazz and music venue.

Back to the hotel for a beautiful monkfish dinner, which seemed to even surpass the Orkney salmon of last night!

Scotch Mist, Showers and Sunshine

Tuesday 17th July started in a fog shrouded Thurso. Today has been a travelling day, and slipping south down the A9 we left behind the fog moving into the cloudy sunshine of the east coast, and soon found ourselves once again sipping cappuccino’s and eating amaretto ice-cream outside the café in Dornoch. Once past Inverness we headed towards Fort William along the banks of a monsterless Loch Ness, taking in beautiful scenery both in sunshine and in showers. Through Fort William we climbed into Glen Coe for a touch of the sublime, where once again within in the space of a few minutes we experienced bright sunshine, and lashing rain followed by bright sunshine again, all of which seemed to enhance the vast moodiness of the location. Across bleak Rannoch Moor we eventually made our way along the sides of sparkling Loch Lomond, arriving in a sunny Glasgow where we shall spend two nights!

Mackintosh Magic!

This morning Wednesday 18th July we found ourselves visiting The Glasgow School of Art, which was designed and built by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The building was filled with many of his designs and motives, many pieces of his furniture and original architectural innovations. Our tour guide was a vivacious, enthusiastic young lady, and really brought the Art School to life. It was worth climbing the hill to visit. From here we walked down to Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street to visit the Willow Tea Rooms, which is over Henderson’s Jewellers. We were fortunate that the gallery café was full and so were invited to go upstairs to the Room de Luxe with a beautiful bow window, dazzling leaded mirror friezes, ornate doors and Mackintosh furniture for our lentil soup and china rose petal tea!

Refreshed we enjoyed the sunshine in George Square before boarding an open topped tour bus to ride the streets of Glasgow.

More magic was in store in the evening, as we joined the crowds going to see the latest Harry Potter film. Very good!

Borders

After our breakfast and paying our dues we packed the car and bid farewell to Glasgow. Heading south we travelled through the Borders following the River Tweed, this included a brief stop in Melrose (a town that briefly figured in Mum’s life) for a cup of coffee from our flask. The road eventually led us to Holy Island a much-loved spot and a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the last two days in Glasgow. We drove across the causeway during the afternoon, the tide out and the sand and mud banks exposed. But soon after five o’clock the incoming tide cut us off, and there was no escape from the beauty and the quietness. We walked part of the shoreline, visiting the Priory and the harbour, and enjoyed a superb meal in our hotel. Tonight we sleep in a four-poster bed, with a view encompassing the harbour and the two castles, Lindisfarne and Bamburgh. Tomorrow…………..we go home!

Harbour and Home

After a disgustingly large breakfast we sought to redeem the situation by walking out past the harbour to Lindisfarne Castle. We chose the right time as we encountered nothing more than a little light drizzle and enjoyed the air, the sea, and the spectacular scenery. Returning we purchased fresh crab and prawns for our journey home, and after a delightful cappucino it was time to bid farewell to this beautiful island retreat and return home.

Just a few interesting statistics! We travelled 1,389 miles, at an average speed of 41 mph, with an average fuel consumption of 51.5 mpg. Our total driving time was 34 hours and 31 minutes. We stayed in five separate hotels and ate too many calories!!!!!