Welcome to the short version of my autumn extravaganza to Scotland. I began by traveling up to Aberdeen overnight on a Saturday, to be at my first location at 8am on the Sunday morning.
Dunnottar Castle – this has been on my wish list for years, and I was happy to finally tick it off. Unfortunately, it was closed for the month, so I couldn't get on the tidal island.
Then into Aberdeen itself. The things that make my days better are lighthouses, bridges, waterfalls and seals. I found this lighthouse and a beach with about 300 seals.
The next day, through the Cairngorms to Inverness.
The week before had been snow, I had looked into snowboarding. Not a flake as I passed the ski centres.
With plenty of spare time on this leg, I stopped at one of the hundreds of waterfalls that are along the way.
See what I mean about lighthouses? I think I have a problem.
Sorry, it’s another one. This one is Stoer Point.
And this is The Old Man of Stoer, just around the corner and a swamp to wade through to get to.
I got up really close to this waterfall and didn’t fall into the river I had to cross with stepping stones. That’s a first for me
Eilean Donan Castle, a Scottish masterpiece.
A big day on the Isle of Skye, starting with the Fairy Glen.
Then around the top of the island to The Quiraing.
Down the inside coast for the second highest waterfall in Scotland.
A view of Kilt Rocks.
A big walk up a shocking amount of steps to this, the Old Man of Storr.
Finishing the day with a race against the daylight to see the Fairy Pools.
the Glenfinnan Monument, one of my favorite places on a clear day.
and it has this, the Harry Potter railway just opposite.
Moving down the country to Bute, there's an area of standing stones, burial chambers and rock art.
My last day was spent exploring Glen Coe, billed as the most beautiful valley in the country. Busloads of people visit every day.
As a bonus to break the trip up, I stopped at Oswestry on the way home and found the Shropshire Sculpture Park. about 4000 sculptures made from recycled material. This gorilla stands at 10 ft tall and is made from spoons!