The Highlands!

24^th September 2011 – 9pm

We set off for Inverness super early! Ok, it wasn’t that early but it was early for me. Matt made me get up at 6am, what nonsense! 

We diverted to visit St Andrew’s, an old town on the East coast. St Andrew’s is arguably where Golf began and is home to the world’s oldest golf course, over 600 years old! As you can imagine it is a very prestigious course and clubhouse and we had no expectations to be able to hit a ball here as you have to enter a ballot every day just to tee off! The British Open was held here last year as well. Well, we decided to wander in and try our chances and was nicely surprised to hire a couple of clubs and get 50 balls just like that! As far as driving ranges go it was pretty freaking fancy.

FORE!!

THE OLD COURSE

More scones.

Back on the road to Inverness we went to a lookout called Queens View, it was beautiful. I need to be careful not to use up all the good adjectives because it gets better!

ON THE WAY TO QUEEN'S LOOKOUT

QUEEN'S LOOKOUT

We were supposed to go through Perth at one point but we missed a turn somewhere and the GPS took us along a lovely single lane country road that we are glad we got to see. The country side was gorgeous, lots of green rolling hills and fluffy sheep, but I admit I had a bit of a kip in the car again. I’m not made for early starts!

OUR COUNTRY DRIVE

Our accommodation in Inverness was really nice, the best B&B we’ve stayed at by far. We had an ensuite and everything was so new and not disgusting like the place in Edinburgh where they thought carpet in the bathroom was a good idea… anyway…

It was laundry time again so in between washing and drying we wandered the streets and stopped in for some Italian for dinner. The River Ness runs through Inverness and it is impressive, it’s very fast flowing and the banks are grassy. They really love their hanging baskets over here. I can’t imagine the Rockingham Council watering flower pots on EVERY street light! 

It was another super early start to what turned out to be a pretty big milestone in our lives! We got up and ate cereal from cups, because there were no bowls and Matt sat in the cupboard because there was nowhere to sit. He was also in his jocks. Eating Coco Pops… Hello ladies! (Photo by written request only.) A special morning we will never forget. 

We drove on for a bit and we pulled over to take some photos of the river, there was a staircase down to the shore so we went to check it out. The sun was just about to pop its head over the mountains and while I was clicking away with the camera Matt must have decided the time was right and did a runner to the car. Perhaps I was about to hear the car wheels screech into the distance - maybe he’s had enough of me and was about to leave me stranded!

Matt’s proposal (although not technically a question) was lovely. There wasn’t another soul to be seen (except maybe Nessy), the sunrise over the water was amazing, and the ring was a perfect fit. It’s beautiful, I love it so much. After the phone calls to home, we continued on our way, desperate for a coffee but grinning like dorks!

ABOUT THE TIME MATT DID A RUNNER

SHORTLY AFTER SUNRISE

SPARKAWY

HAPPY COUPLE!

We drove from Fort William to the West coastal town of Mallaig and it was truly amazing. We had been recommended this particular drive by Lou and it did not disappoint. The road runs in the bottom of a massive valley which follows a great loch out to sea, there are countless waterfalls beside the road, old bridges and spectacular rocky terrain. Words, even pictures, won’t do it justice. And yet, the best was still to come. 

CANALS AT FORT WILLIAM

FORT WILLIAM TO MALLAIG

FORT WILLIAM TO MALLAIG

FORT WILLIAM TO MALLAIG

We saw a few really old castles and buildings today and drove through some sleepy villages. I’m not sure if the locals even understand how beautiful their country is! 

CASTLE STALKER

This afternoon we checked out the Glencoe Valley, which is where Braveheart was filmed. I don’t have words to describe how spectacular this place was, and the photos don’t do it near enough justice. It was truly the most amazing scenery I have ever seen with my own eyes. We stood in the bottom of a valley among massive rocky mountains towering into the sky with countless waterfalls.  

GLENCOE VALLEY

GLENCOE VALLEY

GLENCOE VALLEY

Anyway it was time to pick our jaws up off the ground and now we find ourselves in Glasgow. What a contrast to all that we’ve seen today. All along we said we’d like a night out in Glasgow, and even this morning we said we might go have a nice dinner to celebrate our engagement but, well, we got here and to be honest, we’re too afraid to leave the hotel room! Not really, but it is one seedy town! We’re a bit pooped anyway.

G’night!

Matt and Amy.