The home stretch

My mum spent part of her childhood growing up in Oban. It was nice to wander round taking in the nice ice creams, coffee and the best mussels from a seafood shack. We did ceilidh number five for 2026 in a bar. There was plenty of bagpipe playing so I was happy.

We heading back across to Loch Lomond to the same spot we were on before where the kids made territories out of moss covered rocks. They were very pleased to be back. 

After a day in Chatelherault country park with its play park, Sunday market, mansion and pretty walks, it was on to Carlisle. I still can’t believe that country park is free. 

We squeezed in a few days out as we headed home. The 800 year old Carlisle Castle was a fun English Heritage site with a licking stone in the dungeon to rehydrate the prisoners and the intriguing carvings made by bored guards 500 years ago. The kids loved my ghost stories as well!

We all loved the toilet habits of the Roman’s at the 2000 year old Housesteads Roman Fort where they used a sponge on a stick to clean their bottoms. It was fascinating wandering round one of the last frontiers of the empire and looking out along the different stretches of Hadrian’s wall. It was atmospheric looking out towards Scotland imagining what life must have been like. 

And the last bit of summer schooling was learning about how the different eras lived in Britain at Beamish. My favourite bit was walking down bent double into a drift coal mine shaft, getting our hands dirty and learning about the canaries checking for gases and the different jobs that the whole family used to do down the pit, even as young as three. We don’t know we are born. 

The actors in all the different mocked up shops really bring everything to life - the guy in the pharmacy was particularly good - telling us all about the use of leeches, maggots and metal pill laxatives and showing Olive how to make pills. 

Mulling it over

We spent the best part of a week round Mull. The weather was pretty bleak with lots of rain and wind, but we enjoyed the remoteness. 

We spent a couple of nights in Tobermory (of Balamory kids Tv fame - not that I know it!). We took a boat trip out to see seals and support the RNLI fundraising. 

We also had a quick look at Aros Waterfall and Calgary Bay. 
The best bit was driving round to Pennyghael and spotting lots of White tailed golden eagles. The kids loved counting them. 

We finished with a drive down to Fidden farm through the rain to a gorgeous beach which we could enjoy once the rain cleared (briefly). Selina and the kids even took a bedtime dip in their wetsuits. Mad!

Next stop Oban and then start heading home. 

Lochs and Glens

We carried on across Scotland, staying in Loch Lomond. The Faerie Trail was fun - we all had to solve clues as we went round. The midgies have not been fun! They particularly like me and Boo. 

Travelling through Glencoe was stunning if a little busy with throngs of tourists (especially compared to the NC500). 
We enjoyed going up the chairlift at the mountain resort and then walking up Creag Dhubh. 

The Heritage Museum in Fort William was surprisingly fun - learning about commandos in the war, looking at the stuffed birds and learning about iron coffin boxes used to stop body snatchers and a birching table to discipline shoplifters. 

I absolutely loved the drive round from Glenfinnen to the ferry port at Kilchoan. It was a treat for the eyes. Gorgeous. The local Ceildh in Salen was a surprise gem as well, like so much of Scotland - very welcoming. 

Celebrations in St Andrews

We celebrated Sara and John’s anniversary long and hard with our family. Their ceremony in St Salvator’s was lovely - Sara’s speech was spot on. 

We had lots of delicious food with a hog roast, seafood extravaganza and cheese board and caught up with a bunch of great people. 

Thanks guys for a great party. 

NC500

We’ve always wanted to do the NC500 which is the loop of roads round the very top of Scotland past Inverness. I’ve never been further north than Inverness before. We spent a week doing this before Sara and John’s celebrations. 

After consulting my AI buddy, we decided to travel anti clockwise round the loop to avoid cyclists and build up to the gorgeous remote west side. In terms of where to visit, it’s pretty straight forward with clear NC500 brown signs all the way round and then each key site is clearly signposted as you drive along. 

One of the highlights of our whole trip was visiting the Mey Highland Games in John O Groats. As we walked up to the games, the stewards stopped the traffic to let us cross the road which we thought was super service. Then as we stood by the entrance a convoy of cars drove by us. As we looked into the second one I thought I could see someone that looked like King Charles. I said to the steward that he looks like the King. The steward (or as I subsequently realised - security!) smiled. I asked if it was the King and he nodded! The King was arriving as he is the Chieftain for the games and was attending the last hour to watch and give out awards. It was super fun. We went in, watched tossing the caber, country dancing, tug of war and the pipe band playing. I could not convince either kid to do a parent and child race. We could have done it in front of the King! It was super seeing the King at arms reach. 

This highlight was followed swiftly by our other highlight - seeing puffins at the nearby Stacks. Special. 

Smoo caves in the North West was super. The guy called Ferguson is amazing. He has been digging these caves for 30 years. Such a passion. 

As we continued travelling round we saw lots of impressive sights including: Dornoch beach, Dunrobin haunted castle, Whaligoe steps, Kylesku bridge, Ardvreck castle, Corrieshalloch gorge and Gairloch.