Haggis Tour

Haggis Tour Day 1

I wish I could lie and say that the morning of the first day of the tour was a breeze, but it wasn’t. I was hungover (Sorry parents and family and anyone else who may be disappointed by my actions. One would think I would have learned my lesson the first time I was hungover, but much like grammar and spelling and English in general, I am a slow learner) and sleep deprived. So the morning was very, very rough. Thank goodness for my travel buddy being responsible and willing to put up with me being grumpy and needy. We got checked in and got on the bus. There weren’t two seats that were together , but we were able to sit across the aisle from each other. I was in no mood to be social, so I fell asleep pretty much as soon as the bus left. It was made clear that we had somewhat of an itinerary, but our driver would be taking us pretty much wherever she felt.

Our first stop was at a tiny so-called castle. A side view is below.

We stopped about every hour and half or so. Here are a few photos of some of the views, but I have no idea where they are from. Next time I will be using GPS so I know where I am!

We had lunch at a ski lodge, which was not very exciting, but it was enough that I was in a much better mood than earlier. The sleep I had gotten was also very helpful.

After lunch we went and saw Inverlochy Castle or really what was left of it.

We also went to a war memorial. It was a beautiful area, although it was in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. It was where the training grounds were though, so its location makes sense.

Soon after the memorial, we went to the hostel. After grabbing a microwave meal and scarffing it down, we went on a boat tour of Loch Ness. I was constantly vigilant in looking for Nessie, but I did not succeed in finding her. The boat captain said they believe that there are about 18 large creatures in the water because of the sonar readings they had taken. Below are a few pictures from the boat.

After the boat ride, we were walking back to the hostel and I FOUND NESSIE!!!! See! Here she is with her baby! Do I get monies or fame or something cool? I wanna be famous! 

The following day was similar to the first. We were told things that were said to be fact, but neither I nor my friend believed. The majority of our day was to be spent on the Isle of Skye or as I keep typing Isle of Skype. Our first stop was to get a really nice view of a castle, pictured below.

Then we continued on to make ourselves forever young and beautiful. There was this little river that we were supposed to put our faces in. I was not going to participate, but then our tour guide did it, so I hoped it was safe. Here is a picture of someone becoming young and beautiful. My dip in the water did not make me young or beautiful so I have determined that it either didn’t work or I already am young and beautiful. Shhhh! Do you hear that? That sound is my ego inflating.

Once we got on Isle of Skye, we stopped to have lunch. Then we continued on and were told a story of how to get your wishes to come true by carrying some water from a waterfall in your mouth and spitting it on a rock. Below is the picture of the waterfall. My friend went and did it, but I decided against it.

Following the adventure of a select few to grant wishes, we went to see the cliffs that supposedly looked like a giant’s kilt impression, but I don’t see it. Do you? It is supposed to be the far cliffs in the picture.

Here are a few more cliffs with beautiful ocean and sky. It just shows how gorgeous Scotland can be.

Finally, we started to head back to the Lock Ness area, but before going back to the hostel, we went to see the castle we had seen earlier. Here it is pictured.

I didn’t end up going into the castle because I wasn’t interested in seeing the interior. So I hung out with a few of the tour people while we waited for those who paid to go inside. After that we had a chill night in the hostel.

The third day, we went around to the other side of Loch Ness. We saw another set of castle remains, pictured below.

The following two pictures show the beach on Loch Ness. It was a drizzly day, but it was still beautiful and very peaceful.

Here is a hilarious sign I saw at the Loch Ness stop.

I just had to take and post a picture of the Scottish Flag since I was there and all. You know I just thought it was appropriate.

Our final stop on our Haggis Tour was to the Culloden battlefield. Below is a photo of the field and following is of one of the mass grave headstones.

Overall this tour was helpful in seeing the landscapes of Scotland. I had expected a bit more hiking and less time in the bus, but it just wasn’t so. We wouldn’t have been able to see much of it on our own unless we had rented a car, so I am very happy that we had the opportunity. I would like to come back to Scotland at some point, but maybe actually rent a car and do some hiking because I would love to see the landscapes in that way and not just along the street.