Travelling to Scotland - advice??

[Jock Scot]

Well alright, from locals point of view and in the spirit of being helpful, Blair Castle(House of Bruar shop is close by too, also good for a spot of lunch), Ruthven Barracks, (both along-side the A9 road to Inverness). Whilst at Inverness, Culloden, Fort George, Cawdor Castle, Close up views of wild dolphins at Channonry Point. Cut accross to the West via the Great Glen(A82) stop at Urquhart Castle(along-side Loch Ness), onto the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, onto Fort William.Take the world renowned steam train ride from FW to Mallaig and back, going over the "Harry Potter" viaduct at Glenfinnan(look out for the Glenfinnan monument where the clans gathered in 1745). From FW you could go to Skye, or Oban(onto Mull +Iona), or Glencoe(A82 South) or the "coast road South around Argyle.

Or head further North, or visit the Western Isles, or, or, or--------. An absolute must do if in the Highlands and we do it at least once if we have visitors staying, is take a side road and find a Glen away from the main routes-----HAVE FAITH and a full tank of fuel----- the roads are usually single track and can lead you no where! Stop out of the treeline and have a picnic and listen! On the right day the silence can be deafening!We find that after a while even children almost whisper. If the weather is wild then just stop for a while and let the atmosphere do its stuff, the light will constantly change, so will the view, one minute it might be 30 yards through low cloud and pouring rain, the next minute you might be able to see clearly for thirty miles. Yes I am biased, I love every second(ok, OK,OKAY apart from the midgies!) of not only the Scottish outdoors and the views it provides, rivers, wildlife, colours etc., but also the castles, history, people and these days, the food too.

As always, if any one is in the area of the "Great Glen" then there is a standing invitation for a possible meet up for a wee dram with "Jock". It is not always possible of course, but I have been known to bump into various members of xmarks in various places around and about. Have fun.