Europe 2023 August 22nd Day 19 - West coast and back to Edinburgh

Not so quick up this morning as we didn't stumble out to 8.30am and it was to a bleak, wet morning with a dense layer of fog (or low cloud, your choice) We had a good hearty breakfast and then tidied up and into the Italian stallion for what was going to be a long day on the road. Interesting note at this hotel in Scotland, not one caucasian staff sighted, all Indian and Philippino.

First stop was Neptune's ladder, which is a series of locks that let vessels through from one loch or river to the other. Isabel told us to be the between 8-10 am to see it in operation and sure enough it was, all hydraulically operated, so no manual labour involved like in Birmingham. The fog lifted for about 15 minutes and then descended again, not the best weather.

From here we then headed to Glenfinnan to see the famous viaduct used in a number of movies including Harry Potter of course. We were unable to get tickets for the Jacobite train that goes across it but seeing we were only 45 minutes from it we decided to go. Got there and massive car park park with heaps of  people already there awaiting the trains arrival. We clambered up the hill with the hordes and took a few photos before descending back down and having a walk around while more people still arrived. The train was due at 10.45 and seeing it was 10.30 we hung around and were in a great position for some photos which were duly taken. I had the foresight to park closest to the exit gate and we were the first car out once the gates were open (closed because it was full) and off we headed, retracing our steps back to Fort William and then on to Glencoe.

Isabel had recently visited here and camped in her one person tent, however we were not so lucky as the poor weather today just followed us down the coast, lifting every now and again for a quick peak at the magnificent scenery lying beneath the fog and clouds.

We stopped at Glencoe and got out for a walk which lasted all of 5 minutes before it started raining again. Back in the car and we found a little cafe which was absolutely packed with people all with the same idea, get out of the rain. We just grabbed some takeaway coffees and scones before jumping back into the Italian stallion and heading towards Oban.

A windy scenic road with the odd view of mountains and lochs in between more cloud and we eventually arrived in Oban just after 2pm. 

Had a damp walk around this harbour town and tried to book a tour at The Oban Distillery but it was booked out for the next 3 weeks. Highland games were on this coming weekend and heaps of tourists around. 

Eventually we left and headed back towards Larbert via another rather windy road which took us through the most amazing scenery of The Trossachs National Park, passing Loch's Lubnaigh, Loch Earn, Loch Lubhair, Loch Awe, River Fillan & Awe.

We stopped on the way for some magnificent views once, but most of the time the view was gone before the opportunity to pull over made it self available on this narrow, windy road.

Eventually we made it to the town of Callander just before 5pm and closing time. We were able to grab a last coffee for the day along with a slice of gluten free fruit cake which though a little dry was delicious. Had a walk around this picturesque village to stretch the legs before finally getting back into the car and completing our last leg of the journey back to Larbert.

Even with a wrong turn, we eventually found the supermarket to grab some dinner and arrived home around 6.45, just in time to drop stuff off and head to the train station to collect Andrew.

A lovely evening with Indian bites ( small samosa style things) followed by lasagne, all washed down with some good wine and excellent scotch. A long but most enjoyable day.