Scotland Excursions

LOCH LOMOND
Since we were departing for our Greece Vacation by way of Glasgow, we decided to drive up a few days before to visit Loch Lomond and the Trossachs while in the area.  It has an incredible amount of trails to choose from for varying elevations, skill levels, and distances.  We opted to take a ferry to one of the small islands on the Loch called Inchcailloch and take a ferry boat from Balmaha Boat Yard to the island itself.  Unfortunately the morning of was incredibly foggy and overcast which made views of the lake impossible but we still managed to get a good hike out of it as well as a good drench, not to mention some awesome eerie lake photos ala IKEA style.

A little worried about being on a boat for the first time.  The loud motor of the tug boat didn't help.

The look out onto the lake from the boat yard

Incredibly clear water, not so clear sky

The good news was there was no one else on the island at the time we went.  Shocker!

Waiting for the Lady of the Lake to rise up at any minute

more fog. wait for the rain.

Still pretty amazing.

Top elevation on the island.  I imagine the views are amazing.  Of course all we could do that day was imagine!

BENNACHIE (proounounced: Beh- nuh- hee) TRAILS & WALKS
After a long and relaxing vacation, James generally needs and enjoys something to unwind with the following weekend.  So after our Corfu trip, he decided he'd make us hike up Bennachie Hill. Now while it is by no means Mt. Everest, "hill" is a bit of an understatement.  Turns out the shortest route to the top is straight up the side.  Needless to say, hiking up the side of a "hill" with a 30lb sack of potatoes, err, I mean Stella on my back is exhausting, especially when I prefer to unwind by napping.  Either way, James usually drags me out to do these things and I generally hate everything for the first 15-20 minutes, but then am glad he dragged us out against our will when all is said and done. 

view from the top of the hill; typical highland terrain

Stella was shaming all the older kids as she walked/climbed the embedded steps for a good 1/3 of the hill.  I loved hearing all these other parents chastising their 11-yr-olds for not being able to do what a 2-year-old could do.  Shameful, I know, but it's the only feedback I get that my child is AWESOME and the I possibly have a small bit to do with that!

Time for our picnic

heading out

Turns out we could have taken the back way up...which involved no steps.

"bye bye people on the hill"

view of the hill from flat land

HUNTLY CASTLE
 Not to be confused with Castle Huntly which is a prison in the same area. Can't remember what prompted this visit, but went nonetheless and it was not a disappointment.  Stella got to practice her swordsmanship (?) skills and we had a nice trip to Deans Shortbread Factory :)

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