KAMPOL

After spending lovely couple of days wondering around Loch Ness, we set off for Edinburgh. We left very early in the morning so we could have time to visit some places on route to Edinburgh. We decided to stop at Blair Atholl for a cup of tea at the Water Mill Tea Rooms opposite the Blair Atholl Castle.

Then we headed to the distillery, owned by Bell’s, to learn about whisky. We learned a lot about how whisky’s made, and the difference between smoky and unsmoky whiskies. The whisky produced here doesn’t have a smoky taste.

After the whiskey lesson we stopped to have a look at the UK’s tallest tree (I’m not sure if it’s true). It a lovely forest with lots of huge trees. I also took along some nuts and expecting to feed some red squirrels, but unfortunately we didn’t see any :-((

At noon we finally arrived at the Forth Rail and Forth Road bridges in Edinburgh, and then Edinburgh City itself. It’s so beautiful and full of historical buildings. The city has an Eastern European feeling to it.

On the first night we decided to go for dinner at the Cafe Royal (recommended by the  Best Beer Guide 2008).  Not only do they sell lots of drinks and whiskies, but lots of good food too! The place is decorated in French-style. I had mussels in white wine sauce and it was very yummy. While my friends had oysters follow by haggis and whisky cream pie.

The next day we spent time around town, did some shopping and sightseeing. The main attraction is Edinburgh Castle. We learned some history about Scotland and England. I think the ticket is a bit pricy, but it’s once in a life time, hey?

And for our next stops we will visit some other small towns on the way down to Manchester. C U!

After our adventure in Lake District, now it’s time for the next part of our journey, and this time ‘We’re gonna catch Nessie!!!’

On the way up to Loch Ness we drove through a mountain pass called Glen Coe. The scenery was outstanding. I feel like Frodo or Harry Potter from the movies!

We stopped for lunch in Fort William on the way to Drumnarochit. After lunch, we walked around town and did a bit of shopping. I bought one cheap woolen jumper. While my friends just walked round and tried on kilts.

And here we are in Drumnarochit, next to Loch Ness. We found Nessie paddling around in a small pond next to the visitors’ centre, not very hard to catch after all. ;-))

We stayed in a small bunk house where we had our kitchen to cook our breakfast and dinner. The town is very cute and so small. I suspect that everyone in this town must know everyone else, and say something like ‘Hello Mrs McDoodle. How are you this morning? How’s wee Angus? How’s your sheep today. ;-p ‘

We enjoyed walking around this cute little town, and drinking bitter and whisky at the local pub at night. The walk from the pub was a wee bit eerie! very dark and deadly quite. I think people go to bed here very early.

The best thing here is Loch Ness itself. We set off on a quest along the lake looking for Nessie, hoping to take a snap should we see him/her. And you know what? We got lucky!!!!!

At the lake’s edge, not only did we find one Nessie, but I also found Monster Donald and his girlfriend :-)) There was a swan and a couple of duckies swimming on the lake. Well, If you don’t pay too much attention they could be real Nessies. Perhaps those famous Nessie pictures are just swans after all. Our stop at Loch Ness ended here, next stop Edinburgh.