We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday in Scotland in spite of the rain. I remember our tour of Loch Ness as taking place on an especially dreary day. It was easy to imagine the possibility of a monster lurking in the depths but I doubt that I would have been able to capture a picture had Nessie actually appeared. Our camera was safely nestled inside a waterproof pack. Still the air was invigorating and the history and folklore prattled on by the guide was fascinating.
On a different day we caught the bus to the battlefields of Culloden. The sun had emerged for the afternoon although the air was still a bit cool. We did the self-guided walk around the fields, reading the plaques and trying to visualize this horrific day in Scottish history. It was pleasant without the rain but the breeze was brisk. At the end of the day we spent a good half hour or so standing at the side of the road waiting for the local bus. The timetable pasted on the post at the bus stop was obviously a work of fiction.
I loved Inverness and our accommodation there, which was very aptly named Riverside Apartments. We spent hours wandering around the streets, over the castle grounds and along trails by the river. However it was the day of our departure that really stands out in memory.
The rain began in earnest overnight and by morning the train lines back to Edinburgh were flooded. The trains were cancelled until further notice. After a couple of hours of uncertainty at the rail station, we were informed that buses would be coming instead. By the time that the first two buses arrived, a crowd of three or four hundred passengers with accompanying luggage had assembled at the station. The rush to board this very limited transportation was a bit of a comedy. At least that is what it was in retrospect. At the time it was sheer frustration. Lyle and I were fortunate enough to board the second bus and I have no idea what happened to everyone else who was left waiting.
From the bus we transferred at Perth to the train again. When we pulled into Waverley Station at Edinburgh the rain had increased to a torrential downpour. By the time we walked the mile or so distance to our accommodation we were soaked to the skin...and I mean that literally. There were no taxis available. I abandoned the use of my cane and held onto Lyle’s sleeve as we tried to dodge puddles and sprays of water and of course all the brollies that Scots seemed to carry with them as a matter of course. By the time we reached our flat, even the contents of our suitcase were soaked through.
I hope all this doesn’t sound as if I am complaining...far from it! The day has given us an interesting travel story to recall and sometimes recount to friends. I hope that eventually the poor folk in BC who are currently battling the floods and weather extremes there will eventually be able to recount their plight in a similar fashion. The weather in western Canada has certainly changed in a hurry.
That is where I will leave it with you. I now have less than 100 miles to the finish line of my virtual UK walk. Time to start thinking of my next goal!
There is one picture with this post. It is of the castle beside Loch Ness looking very forbidding on a dull and dreary day.
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| Sue at castle beside Loch Ness |
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