Aug 15, 2012

Snippets / Memories / Photos of the day:

• Spectacular riding today through the highlands of Scotland.
• Loved being back here. Felt at home again.
• We had ferocious wind for most of the day so we were well aware when we got in that we had been hanging on hard to stay pointed in the right direction all day.
• Came across the most forestry work today than all the combined time we have been here.



Morning coffee at the Blackford Hotel and a chance to don the waterproofs to combat a heavy mist and in anticipation of the computer roadside sign on the motorway saying heavy rain forecast (only needed them for about an hour as it turned out).



The House of Bruar where we had lunch. An incredible commercial enterprise by a Scottish Family / Clan. We found massive commercial spaces (really classy) with menswear, ladies wear, home goods furniture, artworks, antiques, delicatessen, butcher, textiles, massive food hall….and then for good measure a huge building for their sale and mail-order centre. There were heaps of people there and if there had been several coach loads of people there they wouldn’t have been all that noticeable. Interesting to see the sign which said ‘Coaches by appointment only’. Everything we saw was magnificent quality and heaps of beautiful lamb’s wool and cashmere in evidence locally sourced but also from Ireland and other locations.



A quirky train bridge we discovered after heading off the main road.



In the midst of a beautiful meandering road through magnificent farmland reaching up to forests Norm stopped to take this shot of beautiful waving grasses and the view to the forest and to mountains disappearing in the mist beyond.



In a patch of forest near the top of a dramatic hill climb we found a lovely little mossy wall we couldn’t pass by without recording.



We just loved winding through mountain roads surrounded by heather on all sides so had to get a shot.



And a final one before we get back onto the A9 and headed for Inverness.

Bits and Bobs:

Newspaper headline we saw yesterday: CHOCOLATE STOPS DEMENTIA! I kid you not. Didn’t get to read the article (someone else’s paper) but it confirmed what we already knew….chocolate is good for whatever ails you and that’s all we need to know.



Just loved these dear little chimneys on the Blackford Hotel.

Last nights’ Accommodation:

Hilton Garden Inn, Glasgow (Scotland) UK

A quirky little hotel. Functional rooms though not large. Nicely fitted out and impressed with the iMac TV and Computer. Lots of young things here when we first got in so I felt thoroughly archaic but didn’t let that worry me and the demographic increased over dinner. The bed was comfy and the food in the restaurant very nice. They even had separate shampoo and conditioner instead of the useless ‘conditioning shampoo’ so happy all round. There were two conferences running at the time ‘Active Ageing’ (suspect we could have taught them a thing or two), and ‘Pain Management Symposium’ (would have been interested in hearing a bit of that!



The Hilton Garden Inn, Glasgow accompanied by a remaining portion of a crane and the mini Sydney Opera House in the distance.