European Travels 2010: Day 57 to 60. Old Deer to Carbisdale. Inverness to Skye

Day 57 Old Deer to Castle Carbisdale

Allowed to sleep in by our hosts, Sandy and Kathleen, who were heading off to work - we had a leisurely start – besides setting off the smoke detector with our morning toast!

We headed off for one of our latest starts at 10 am! We first visited the lighthouse and museum at Fraserburgh which also had a lot of strange poles outside – yet to discover what they were.

We then wound our way along relatively narrow roads along the coast road visiting various fishing villages that Sandy had suggested. They were all quaint in their own way.

We went to Pitslyo, Rosehearty, Gardenstown, McDuff (working fishing harbour), Cullen (large train viaduct and golf course by the seaside).

We stopped and picked up a quick snack in a bakery at Portsoy before heading on.
We went to have lunch at Baxters (Jam maker) a big complex and restaurant out of Fochabers. Very nice lunch!

We got in contacted with Wilson by phone and arranged to meet him at Fort George – a military base that is still in use. We met there about an hour later and toured the base – looking at the old canons on display, the fortifications, chapel and museum. There was still soldiers on base – dressed in kilts and one carrying a ceremonial sword!

CULLODEN BATTLE FIELD: Then onto Culloden (old battle field) and walked the fields. There was an old house that is being preserved that we took a photo of.

On to Inverness and a visit to a supermarket to stock up and one of our party (female but no names!) walked out of the supermarket through a door (alarmed do not open) – so that caused some excitement.

After a couple of diversions and slip ups with directions as well as Sally trying to take us different ways we eventually arrived at Castle Carbisdale about 8 pm.
Fantastic place – steep drive up and you suddenly arrived at this “Castle.

It is actually now a youth hostel – a real rabbit warren with the main hall stunningly done out in statues – mostly nude females!!!

Anyway a great place. In dorms with 4 to 10 bunk beds each. Some toilets out of action apparently so could be challenging in the mornings. Staying up until 11 pm – still light enough to be walking outside – this is a photo I took at 11 pm.

Then off to bed.

Day 58 Around Castle Carbisdale.

Up to a very misty Scottish morning – went and grabbed some photos of the castle in the mist – very ghostly like.

Some one saw a bat last night in the corridors!!!!!

After breakfast our group got organised(about 16 of us – all teacher exchange teachers who we had gate crashed with) we headed off in two groups. Three car loads including us headed of first to Falls of Shin – a small waterfall that in season has salmon jumping up it – unfortunately wrong time of year for us.

Also visited the gift shop which is actually a Harrods outlet (London based) and Noslim got his photo taken with the great man himself!

On then to another tramp by a loch - this is our exchange teacher's group

(called it a lake and got told off!) very pleasant walk then up a neighbouring hill to see ruins of old stone houses and funeral piles up to 5000 years old. Got some photos across the moars covered in heather.

Then on to the neighbouring town of Lairg where the local restaurant wasn’t especially helpful but we ate there anyway. Macaroni and a sandwich. Looked next door at a shop with tweed coats hats and bags etc. Very old.

Over the saddle to the coast and visited Castle Dunrobin - a large privately owned house but a wedding was on so we walked down a steep drive and walked along the beach – with rabbits everywhere. And got views of the castle from below.

Then on to the village of Golspie and eventually found a shop for some tea food and visited the local church (yet another church!). ARRRRR but this church was the one Modonna got married in!

Home, dinner then a walk across the rail bridge for exercise and found these huge black snails out everywhere.

After we returned we had a large group get together in the lounge (after moving all the furniture) and off the bed to get ready for our return to the real world of Inverness and a school visit on Monday!

Day 59 - Castle to Inverness

Up to a cloudy morning. Saw off a group that was biking from John O’Groats to Lands End over 2 weeks. They were also about to abseil off the top of the castle – but left too soon to see them.

We then travelled on an extremely narrow road (lots of passing bits)but still tarsealed – this went on for about 20 miles – had to ask for help from a local as our convey was lost. Then got to Raven’s Rock Gorge. Little Scottish sandflies everywhere driving us mad! Didn’t get bitten although one of our party had been bitten a lot the previous day.

Walked around this fascinating gorge – lots of moss all over the ground covering everything – very pretty.

Even found a bear that Noslim said hello too.

Then said farewell to our group and headed off to Inverness. Was a bit wet and cool. Arrived into Inverness and found a carpark – very cold. Went to the information centre – and booked next 2 days accommodation in Isle of Skye.

Saw the castle in the middle of Inverness and went to the shopping centre (first shopping centre we have been in for past 2 months nearly!). We then went around to one of the exchange teachers who we had been with at Carbisdale whose school we are visiting tomorrow.

Now doing some much needed washing – phew things have got smelly!!

Then out to tea with our new friend Alison and we ended up at a restuarant on the edge of Loch Ness - no Nessie though just bugs! Next door they were setting up for the Rock Ness which occurs next weekend with thousands of visitors. They set up a city type area that covered paddock after paddock putting down roads, lighting, tends etc etc etc etc.

Day 60 Inverness to Skye

Up out out visiting Alisons school - a 4 teacher about 10 miles from Inverness. Realtively new so would have made many NZ schools envious with their facilities and space.

After a great visit and lunch headed west. Called in at yet another castle on Loch Ness - Urquhart Castle!

Weather was raining one minute blue sky the next!!

The country progressivly got steeper and more barren of vegetation

- the sort of land I expected all of Scotland to be!

Stunning views - with lochs running along side the road a lot or eventually inlets from the sea.

The bridge at skye built in 1995 took us to this fantastic island. Stunning scenery - sort of stark and barren but beautiful in its own way.

Got to Portree the largest town - very nice harbour and shops - will revisit this tomorrow.

A lovely tea overlooking the harbour then onto our B&B which has a stunning view over an inlet to another part of Skye (which we will visit tomorrow).