Scottish highlands here we come…and the North Coast 500 adventure begins

So we left Longleat and drove north but decided to stop a couple of times on the way up. We didn’t know where we wanted to stay, just that we were heading north. From the route map we picked a few places at random and then did some high level research to see if it was somewhere we’d like to go. No more science than that. Now although there’s the possibility to wild camp, we made a decision that because of COVID and a lot of sensitivities around wild camping, we decided it was safer to stay on campsites. Vibe not great for travellers in some areas!

So first stop was Buxton, our first drive through the early part of the Peak District in Derbyshire and what a great drive through the rolling hills. It’s a famous spa town but also well known for its mineral water. The day we arrived it was pretty mirky and damp and by the time we got to the camp site in an old limestone quarry, we just had enough time to walk the dogs for an hour up through what was once an area of limestone burners (used to make limestone for mortar and fertiliser) and up to Solomon’s Temple which gave you a fantastic view over Buxton and the surrounding areas.

After Buxton, our next stop was Loch Lomond, Milarrochy Bay. Neither of us had been to Scotland before and couldn’t wait to get here both with high expectations of what we thought it might be like. Well we weren’t disappointed. From the moment we saw the sign that said ‘Welcome to Scotland’, the scenery was changing and looking more stunning all of the time. As we made our way to Loch Lomond through Glasgow, the drive was pretty straightforward and then there’s that moment you get a glimpse of water and you can see into the distance the Bens…..just makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

Milarrochy Bay is on the eastern side of Loch Lomond on the edge of a village called Balmaha. With a full day here we decided we would wait to see what the weather does before we make a decision on what to do. Well the weather stayed dry and it gave us an opportunity to walk part of The West Highland Way toward Balmaha. Loch Lomond is the largest by surface area and a fresh water lake. We made our way around the loch, sometimes on the path, the other times scrambling over rocks and trees, trying our best to navigate our way around the edge of the loch as close as possible. I can’t really explain the scenery but it was simply breathtaking. It was an overcast ‘dreich’ day, with drizzle here and there but the weather just gave the place more drama, not that it needed it with its trees and colourful leaves, which were dropping faster now. Reds, oranges, browns, golden coloured leaves and dark water and bright green moss. Everything just seemed to be popping at you. The dogs loved it, we let them have free run of the beaches and some of the paths, no shrub or tree was safe 🐕💦

Well the next morning we were up early readying ourselves to head to Loch Ness. The drive would take us up the western side of Loch Lomond, a stunning lakeside drive, up through Glencoe, Fort William, Fort Augustus and on to our destination. Well the weather didn’t disappoint, it met expectations, ‘it’s pish’ as my mate Rod usually exclaims. Pished it down all the way!!! There was an up-side, as we went through Glencoe the change in landscape and the ‘Bens’ that surrounded us were just phenomenal to see and the many waterfalls that had formed as a result of all of the rain. This is an area we’d like to come back to and explore some more but for now our aim is the north coast, so we have to keep going.

Finally we get to Loch Ness Shores campsite. Pretty cool place right on the edge of the Loch with again stunning scenery and a certain eerie feel. We’ve clearly been watching too many American horror films ‘don’t go down there….and then you do’. This was our campsite for the next 2 nights so we could stop and get ready for our next 10 days and the North Coast 500! Well we managed to get into Inverness and get some additional warm kit from TISO, who catered for anything and everything outdoors! It was also an opportunity to walk the dogs along the banks of Loch Ness and soak up more of that atmosphere and sights. The following morning was our last morning here so we spent it on a river boat cruise of Loch Ness learning more about the Loch and the area. This gave us another perspective of this beautiful area as we passed by some historic places, including Urquhart Castle and the point a Wellington bomber ditched on New Year’s Eve 1940, all but one of the crew surviving, the exception was one guy who’s chute didn’t open.

Now to head towards Brora via Rosemarkie and Cromarty. Small villages on the Black Isle, which we hadn’t intended to stop at but took a detour to drive through and see more of these historic places. Cromarty stands out in our minds the most, probably because as you turn the corner you’re confronted by these massive steel giants! Huge oil rigs line up the firth, looking like something out of George Orwell’s ‘War of the Worlds’, got some pictures, but they just don’t do the horizon justice.

Lots of love and stay safe T&TA ❤️

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Longleat - where you can hear the lions & sea lions roar whilst laying in bed …