While in Cyprus we got chatting about our favourite bits from the Glasgow 2014, Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.
I love the bit filmed in George Square, when Amy MacDonald sings – Rhythm of my Heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIYO_zN-uvE?rel=0
Neil and myself set off on a mini tour of the Scottish Highlands today. At first we were only going to drive from Killearn up to Glen Coe. A one way trip of around 80 miles. But by what point it was only around 11 miles to Fort William! So we ended up doing that also! Ended up doing, just over 200 miles by the time we got back to Killearn.
It was a great road trip! Nice lots of the road followed/went very near the West Highland Line, we kept stopping at stations along the time to get photos! Which was great fun, since I number of weeks ago, I did the line by train. Then going by train, you don’t have the time to have a good look at the stations. So was nice getting to walk around some of them.
Also loved the drive, since back in August 2009, I cycled the same route while doing the End to End cycle.
The way, I would be voting. If I could vote in Scotland!
You can now check out all the photos from the August tour of the Scottish Highlands in one place at www.flickr.com/photos/gsvalentine/sets/72157646223013941/
I have also broken down the tour into the following photo albums…
Inverness
The full set of these photos can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/gsvalentine/sets/72157645815270907/
Kyle of Lochalsh Line
The full set of these photos can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/gsvalentine/sets/72157645843243317/
Plockton
The full set of these photos can be found at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/scotland/plockton/
Skye
The full set of these photos can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/gsvalentine/sets/72157646377279491/
Neist Point Lighthouse
The full set of these photos can be found at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/scotland/isle-of-skye/
Mallaig
The full set of these photos can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/gsvalentine/sets/72157646249999252/
Fort William
The full set of these photos can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/gsvalentine/sets/72157645845592649/
I can now add Crianlarich, Duncraig, Fort William, Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh, Mallaig and Plockton to the list of UK railway stations that I have used!
Check out the full list at www.gordon-valentine.com/travel/railways/uk-national-rail-network/.
Crianlarich railway station
Duncraig railway station
Fort William railway station
Inverness railway station
Kyle of Lochalsh railway station
Mallaig railway station
Plockton railway station
OMG! I can’t believe it was 5 years ago today, that I set off on the End to End cycle. Also means I have been single for a while 5 years! What is that all about????
In the morning we walk a nice walk from Plockton to Duncraig. But we all did get a bit wet, then we have done very well so far this holiday with the weather.
So then got a train back to Plockton, from Duncraig railway station, which is a request stop. First time Mark or myself have had to put out our hands to stop a train!
Once back in Plockton, we had something to eat. Before taken the car back to car hire place in Kyle of Lochalsh. Then we got bus from Kyle of Lochalsh to Armadale.
Then we got the ferry from Armadale to Mallaig. Before finding our hotel room for the night.
Today we had great fun driving around Skye. The highlights include, driving over the Skye Bridge (again), Portree, Kilt Rock Waterfall and Neist Point Lighthouse.
The full set of these photo’s can be found at www.gordon-valentine.com/zenphoto/scotland/isle-of-skye/
After a great nights sleep at The Royal Highland Hotel, in Inverness. We had a good look around Inverness. Before getting the First ScotRail 1:33pm service from Inverness to Kyle Of Lochalsh. We got into Kyle Of Lochalsh just after 4:00pm.
We then walked down the car hire place, to get a car. Then had a quick look around Kyle Of Lochalsh. Before we drove over the Skye Bridge. Which is something I have wanted to do for years and years! So glad I can say, I have done it now. Then we parked the car in Kyleakin, then walked over the bridge :).
Then we drove back over the Skye Bridge to Plockton, which would be our home for the next two nights! We stayed in The Haven Guest House. Which I can recommend! It’s also dog friendly!
I will now leave you will some photo’s from day 2 of our Scotland tour!
Here are photo’s from day 1 of our tour of Scotland. We got the 12:09pm East Coast train service from Peterborough to York. Then we got the “Highland Chieftain” East Coast service from York at 1:52pm. Which got us into Inverness at just after 8:00pm.
Got to say I loved the route from Edinburgh Waverley to Inverness. First time in my life, I have used that part of the UK rail network.
Also got to say that Cooper was very good indeed on the train! Yes we took the dog with us!
I will now leave you will some photo’s from day 1 of the Scotland tour!
