Scotland 2015
As it became a habit to squeeze maximum from our holiday during the long weekend in November, this year we headed to Scotland. Why there? Well, like always, primary factors were Ryanair's flight schedule and ticket price. Besides, we were particulary interested in visiting Great Britain. So we flew directly from Krakow to Edinburgh and took our pre-booked car from Sixt.
Our first destination was Cairngorms National Park - the largest one in Britain. While heading from Edinburgh towards Avienmore, our first accommodation, we made a detour for short trekking in ?Blackwood? in Kingussie area. This route offers both spectacular views and astonishing forms of lichens, but real treasures may be found right on the ground! Just please look at those floral-like patterns painted by nature on stones.
The next morning welcomed us with small snowfall and extreme wind (more than 100 km/h, according to weather reports). Despite those conditions, we decided to give it a try and drove to Cairn Gorm Mountain visitors centre. The snow had melted by the time, but wind gusts prohibited us from climbing the summit. So we did two short walks: one alongside the funicular railway and towards the other end of the track loop. Well, this wouldn't be my favourite place ? first, there are no high plants on this altitude, so you end either burned by sun or blown out by wind in other weather conditions. But what is more, Cain Gorm is a huge construction site! Yes, there were bulldozers and lorries operating that day, moving tons of ground from one place to another, reshaping the hillside for skiers. The only reward was spectacular view on Loch Morlich and Creagan Gorm.
Being totally frozen, we relocated a little down hill, to Glenmore Lodge Outdoor centre for an easy walk to Lochan Uaine ? a small lake with turquoise-green water.
Thanks to advices given by Agnieszka, our Couchsurfing host, we also stopped for a minute at Loch an Eilein. This lake protects a really unique medieval castle on a tiny island. Unfortunately we were totally chilled and soaking wet by that time, so you can imagine us two hurrying to the closest viewpoint and running back to our warm car.
What is Scotland most famous for? Yes, you're right - Loch Ness. So we went there as well - from Inverness we took route A82 that runs along the western shore of the lake and we drove to Urquhart Castle ? really picturesque place and heavily exercising our imagination, since there is hardly nothing but remainders of stone walls and tower. Plus, they have quite nice visitors centre with a display about castle's history and small movie theater. We spent quite long time at the lake, but Nessie didn't show up.
After seeing the ruins of Urquhart, we were eager to see a castle in slightly better condition. The opportunity appeared the very next morning - just after passing Golspie village, we encountered much younger (from 19th century) and really well preserved Durnobin Castle. Despite the fact that it is closed for visitors during the low season, the park and gardens are publicly accessible during daytime.
One of our places to visit was the north-east corner of Scotland. So we took the scenic route A9/A99 to John o'Groats and then local road up to Duncansby Head lighthouse. Despite being the very "corner" of Great Britain, it's neither northernmost nor easternmost place of the island. You won't be suprised if I say that's windy area. Even though, this place is pretty busy tourist spot and offers great views. First, there are cliffs and a number of small but inhabited islands to the north. But if you spot the sign at car park's entrance and follow the narrow path to the south, you will see Duncansby Stacks - courious, cone-shaped rocks that, from a distance, may look like monk's hood.
From John o'Groats it is 10-15 minutes ride to Dunnet Head - the true northernmost point of Great Britain. There are at least two viewpoints worth to visit: one is on the cliff next to the lighthouse (which is the actual tip of the mainland) and the other one is the small hill about 100m inland that will give you full 360 degrees view of the area).
If you ever happen to be in Thurso, make sure to visit the camping park there and its proximities - local Lidl has the most beautiful view I've ever seen when leaving a store. Of course, there are much more things to see in this town. I really regret that we literally had to run through it.
From Caithness area we headed back towards Inverness for our last night in Scotland. After passing number of "no vacancy" tagged B&Bs (most of them rather closed for low season rather than fully booked), we found accomodation in cozy and affordably priced apartament of Archdale Guest House in Beauly.
On the last day it was still windy and raining, so instead of walking wet in Edinburgh, we decided to take a scenic route alongside the Caledonian Canal to Fort Wiliam and then went directly to the airport.
