Scotland

Page: 3 of 3

A short walk eastwards along the coast road from Durness brings you to Smoo Cave. The cave was carved out of the limestone by a combination of an underground river and stormy seas. You can take a boat trip inside the cave. It was rather short but quite interesting.

 

A walk along the coast north and west From Durness takes you out on to a headland where you can watch the puffins in their burrows.  They really are the most comical birds and appear as if they were never designed to fly!

 

See the party of happy puffin spotters on the clifftop!

After Durness it was time to point Priscilla south on the homeward journey. We were en route for Grantown on Spey and again we were on single roads with passing spaces.  In 40 miles we passed 9 vehicles. Urghh the traffic!

One of the cars we passed—yes, it is an Austin A35!

Grantown-on-Spey was a delightful town. Again we stopped on a Caravan Club site which was beautifully appointed. A short walk took us into town and then on further to the banks of the River Spey.

The Spey is absolutely charming as it babbles along. The riverbanks are full of wild flowers (including lupins) and you could hear the bees buzzing around—it was so peaceful.

The return route took us through a forest walk and joined the Speyside national trail. Here we met a Canadian gentleman who was walking the river route and visiting the many distilleries along the path.

 

Keith and Fran were leaving us the following day and taking a faster option home. We were making a shorter hop down the road. We all decided to go out and treat ourselves to a nice meal for our last night together and very good it was too!

Our journey took us next to visit friends, Alan, Wendy and family in Alyth. We parked Priscilla in their front garden. Alan and Wendy and their two children, William and Georgina, have purchased a plot of land with spectacular views. At the moment they are living in Portacabins but hope to construct a house on the site very soon. It should be wonderful! After spending a very pleasant evening with them Wendy took us on a brief visit to Glamis castle.

Glamis Castle

William and Georgina road test Smartie

Wendy at Glamis Tea Room

Georgina waiting for cakes

Jedburgh & Brodie waiting for their tea!

The final stages of our trip took us to Edinburgh and then York. The Caravan Club sites at both of these city were particularly good. In Edinburgh there was a shuttle bus to take you right into the city centre. In York it was just a stroll up the river.

The campsite at Edinburgh is almost on the Firth of Forth and there is a rather lovely Promenade beside the water where you can walk or cycle. A brief cycle ride westwards brings you to the mouth of a small river. The River Almond.

In York it was quite easy to visit all of the attractions of the City on foot from the campsite. In the evening we enjoyed a take away curry from the local parade—excellent!

Yes, they are still painting the Forth Bridge!

Estuary of River Almond, Edinburgh

Sculpture on Edinburgh Prom at Low Tide

York Castle Museum and George gets some lessons in how to handle a mediaeval sword!

The narrow streets and lovely shops around York Minster.

The Duchess of Hamilton in full Coronation Scot streamlining at the National Railway Museum, York

After York it was back home, catch up with friends and family and attend to the administration jobs that seem to relentlessly accumulate whilst you are away!

A fantastic tour of Scotland and we will certainly be returning another time.