Single Family  
Active listings:   108
Under contract:  7
Sold & Closed:  36
Average days on market:  347

Condo/Towhomes
Active listings:   19
Under contract:  0
Sold & Closed:  9
Avg days on market:  268

It has been awhile, but we are back with an update for Inverness homes and Real Estate.  It continues to be a strong buyer’s market in Inverness for homes and townhomes.   On a positive note, there were 40 closings of Inverness single family homes last year and we are almost there already this year.  If you have ever thought of purchasing a home in Inverness, now is the time to take advantage of prices that may never be seen again in Inverness.  You may have thought it would never be possible to live there, it is now!  

Data from MRED MLS from 1/1/09 – 10/31/09 for closed listings.

There are just 11 journeys to Inverness from Aberdeen Monday-Saturday, and only five on Sundays. If a passenger misses his train, there is good chance that he will have to wait two hours for the next one.

Mike Rumbles, SLD, opened the debate on October 7, regarding Kintore Station and Aberdeen Crossrail. In 2003, a decision was made to reduce the more than two hour route between Aberdeen and Inverness to just 50 minutes, and also to open new stations to help improvement. The reopening of Laurencekirk Station in May, this year, was a success and a grasp of hope for people in the Highlands, the politician said.

He also stated that the lack of interest in this important case is disappointing and that the transport minister`s acknowledgement about the importance of the subject would be ‘a real step-forward.’ Mr Rumbles said that the transport minister has held no discussion on the matter so far, and not even attended significant debates about the issue.

‘I do feel that the people  in the North-East deserve a straight answer from our transport minister and I hope we will be able to hear it,’ said Mr Rumbles. He would also welcome funding for the project.

The Aberdeen-Inverness railway is approximately 173km (107miles) long with only a few stations open along. However, this corridor is considered to be of great strategic importance within the Strategic Transport Projects Review, as it connects Aberdeen and Inverness airports as well as the port of Aberdeen with other cities on the route. It also supports the continued economic growth of the two cities and links rural communities with industrial cities.

Alison McInnes, SLD, drew attention to the issue of largely growing traffic in the area. (Between 2002 and 2005 the rise in traffic in the region reached 4.5% per annum).

A study, taken in 2005, on behalf of the Scottish Executive, considered possible changes in the railway system between the two cities. The most important points of the survey were improving journey times and introducing an hourly service from one of the cities to the other.

SNP`s Maureen Watt welcomed Mike Rumbles’ standpoint and called for ‘progress and activity,’ that is, more frequent trains and scheduling changes, after saying that it is sad that under two former transport ministers, the problem could not have been solved.

Stewart Stevenson, minister for transport, infrastructure and climate change, agreed that the current model has to be changed.

As part of my course, we also had to interview a journalist and get a profile of him. I interviewed Highland Sports reporter Alasdair Fraser and here is the story that followed.

Highland sports reporter Alasdair Fraser is one of what you might call a dying breed of journalists, those who ply their trade through a passion for the business and a natural skill for writing despite having no formal education in the subject.

 “I first got the idea of becoming a journalist in 3^rd year of High School. I began to get more into, and enjoying, English, so the thought of being a journalist seemed to be a good career choice.”

Despite then taking a gap year before going through four years at university (not training as a journalist), the idea of reporting on news still appealed to Alasdair. He began doing occasional work for a friend of his at a local paper before a meeting with then Glasgow Herald journalist Stuart Lindsay propelled Alasdair into the world of journalism.

“It was quite a lucky break, how I got into journalism. A friend of mine arranged a meeting for me with Stuart Lindsay for what I thought would include a simple chat and some pieces of advice. When I got there I found out that he had just bought the Inverness Courier and by the time the meeting was over he’d offered me a job there!”

For the next year Alasdair worked for the Courier, covering general news stories and gathering some valuable experience as a journalist. No longer a rookie, in 1989 Alasdair moved into his preferred area of journalism: sport.

“I accepted a job offer from a sports magazine in Glasgow, which covered most sports, although mainly golf, rugby and athletics.”

This job gave him the opportunity to establish himself as sports journalist, which would be his focus for the rest of his career to date. After seven years in Glasgow, Alasdair returned to working for the Inverness Courier where he would mainly cover local football matches, until, in 1998, he set up his own freelance news agency, predominantly covering football matches for all Highland news publications and many national newspapers including the Daily Record, Sunday Post and Sunday Herald.

“I don’t have any staff, instead I have about 12 trusted guys who I can contact and provide me with stories. While I cover an Inverness Caledonian Thistle game on a Saturday, these guys will report on other football matches going on in the Highlands. I will then provide the national and local news publications with their reports of the games.”

Corresponding for many different newspapers has also meant that Alasdair has great experience writing in many different journalistic styles, often having to alter his report to suit either a tabloid or a broadsheet newspaper. Covering matches for many different outlets can also, though, be the most demanding part of his job.

“The aftermath of a Saturday afternoon match is general chaos. I’m trying to get interviews from managers and players while also attempting to write reports for five or six different newspapers to a very tight deadline can be very demanding.”

It’s not all bad though….

“I get paid to watch football so I can’t complain!”

While Alasdair is currently at the peak of his career (having recently won the Sportswriter of the Year award at the Highland and Islands Media Awards) he acknowledges that the newspaper business is in decline, while still holding out hope for the future.

“Newspapers are in a decline, not a rapid decline because I still feel that people like to sit down and read the day’s paper. Newspapers may eventually die out, although the profession of journalism will live on, whether it is for an online service or whatever.”

Currently residing in Inverness with his wife and children, Alasdair would encourage any young journalist to “gain as much experience as you can before you start out. Obviously gain the qualifications you need, but acquiring experience as a journalist is key.”

This is a report on the North od Scotland Cup game between Wick Academy and Inverness Caley Thistle. This was probably the biggest game I reported on and I also got the chance to interview ICT’s manager for the night, the famous Gary McSwegan, after the match! Enjoy.

Goal in each half sinks Scorries and sends ICT through for Elgin clash

Sunday morning broke, quiet and still, barely a sound to be heard outside, the rain dripping from the skies.   While CJ slept, I quietly opened my curtains and gasped out loud.   OMG the view!   What a surprise!   We were situated right against a towering mountain, the slopes covered with a blanket of lovely fir trees, some green some orange, some yellow.  

And yet, the best was still to come.

I decided to make myself a cup of tea, so pattering quietly down the passage into the living room area, I put the kettle on and made my way over to the front door of the cabin to open the curtains and peek outside.   WOW!!!!   I literally shrieked out loud and grabbed my mouth with delighted shock.   The Loch was right on our doorstep!  We were surrounded by heavily forested mountains with great swathes of lovely green grass and a massive stretch of water that was Loch Oich!

Stunningly beautiful, it took my breath away.   It was so dark when we arrived the night before that I never had an idea of what was just beyond our cabin and the scene that met my eyes was incomparable.   The trees were glorious in their autumn colours and I was itching to wake CJ.   Pretty soon she was up and about, so I led her to the front door with her eyes closed and sweeping back the curtains I presented her with the sheer beauty of the day.   We were stunned.

Loch Oich is part of the Caledonian Canal that runs from Inverness in the north to Fort William in the southwest of the Scottish Highlands.    There are a number of Loch’s all joined by swing-bridges, the nearest to us being the Laggan Swing-Bridge.

Breakfast was forgotten as we hurriedly dressed and layered, then out the door armed with our cameras, we set forth to capture the magnificence.   As we were standing on the Loch edge, above the clouds we heard the roar of fighter jets zooming overhead!   The sound came as a heck of a shock and as the jets zoomed off into the distance the boom of the aftershock hit our eardrums.   Exciting!

A very happy couple of hours later after taking hundreds of photos we finally headed back to our cabin for food.

Oh my gosh, the scenery is fabulous.   Scotland so lends itself to autumn and the colours are amazing.   After a hurried meal we donned trainers and wellies, hats and jackets and set off to explore the grounds and forest behind us.   The park is set right on the edge of the towering Monadhliath mountain range; covered with wonderful coniferous forest behind, the Loch in front and another towering mountain also covered with coniferous forest that reaches right down to the water’s edge on the opposite side.   With paths meandering alongside a stream and gushing waterfalls, the forest begged to be explored.

Looking up into the forests was spine tingling and I decided to explore the inner reaches.  Setting off I clambered up the slopes through bracken and fallen moss-covered branches, slipping and sliding all the way.   Needless to say I did not get very far and eventually had to halt just within the trees and meters from the path.

I urged CJ to join me but she was more sensible than that.

I spent a few minutes just enjoying the sighing of the wind in the branches and the hushed quiet of a deeply carpeted forest, then made my way back down, slip sliding away, I eventually reached terra-flat after sliding most of the way on my bum.  It is a lot easier going up than down and I nearly lost my balance a few times then decided to take the inelegant way down, which my daughter very kindly captured on video for all the world to see.   Nice one pet!   Miraculously I was not soaked and my trousers were unmarked by the moss covered slopes.

CJ was hysterical with laughter and can be heard snorting away in the background of the video.   Cheeky brat.   We then meandered along what was a very wet and slushy pathway, dotted with puddles of water and slippery with wet moulding leaves. The  forest was ever so quiet and I am sure we frightened the animals away with the noise we made.   Stopping every few feet to gasp and ooohh and ahhh at all the lovely sights, we saw waterfalls, and streams, trees dressed in their autumn finery of yellows and reds and gold.  

The forest carpeted with a myriad of colours; dark green to psychedelic green, yellow, gold, maroon, brown, beige and red is a sight to behold.   Rotting logs, left over from fallen trees lend a wonderful aroma to the air and are home to a profusion of new growth, with little pine trees sprouting out the top.  Never believe for one second that autumn and winter signal death.   There is a teeming burst of life and new growth everywhere you look.   We chanced upon a tree covered in black seedpods and bursting out the seams were tiny little shoots of green leaf and spiral stems.  Every where you look there is growth of moss and lichen, fungus and mushrooms, new trees sturdily finding their feet and deep in the bracken the first tendrils of leaf waiting for spring.

After first exploring one way along the path we retraced our steps then explored the other end.   Chancing upon what looked like a railway platform right on the edge of the forest we were amazed to read that in 1903 someone had decided to build a railway line from Fort Augustus to Inverness.   

Where we were standing were the remains of what was indeed the platform for a railway station.   It was really bizarre since there were a couple of really massive trees growing right in the middle of the concrete edifice and the whole area is covered in green moss and grasses and bracken with younger trees vying for attention.

There is an information board with the full story on display and a map of the whole area showing how they intended to build.   Bizarre.

The board says: “It may be hard to believe but this used to be Invergarry Railway Station, part of the Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway.   Reporting on the line’s opening in 1903, the Inverness Courier says: “The buildings are of wood on concrete foundations, the outer surface of Swiss shingle after the pretty pattern first used on the West Highland Railway and giving a very pretty effect.” The Invergarry and Fort Augustus Line, was intended to be the first stretch of a railway, which would eventually connect Fort William and Inverness.   Unfortunately competition between the different highland companies meant that the second stretch of the line to Inverness was never built.   This meant financial disaster for the Fort Augustus and Invergarry railway.   It finally closed in 1946.   Today you can still find evidence of the station and it’s tracks.   Nature is, however, reclaiming the site rapidly as can be shown by the large Douglas fir trees growing on the tracks and platform.  The developers so sure of its success invested £350,000 the equivalent of £20million today in the building of tunnels, roads and stations.

Hard to believe indeed!   And far more attractive now than it would have been had they succeeded.   I shudder to think.

By now it was beginning to rain again so we headed back to our warm cosy haven and had a yummy lunch.   CJ then retired for an afternoon snooze and the rain having eased off, I went off adventuring.   The Loch is so photogenic and with barely a breath of air to disturb the surface, the water lay like a sheet of glass, still and dark, the trees across the Loch perfectly reflected. Eventually CJ joined me and we happily snapped away and admired the views.   By now it was beginning to darken and the light turned a wonderful blueish grey, tinged with pink across the Loch.  

We were joined by an armada of ducks

and a pair of swans that came right up to the edge of the jetty and posed beautifully for some photos. 

Suddenly the clouds cleared and with a splash of pink and silver the sun set, spectacular against the dark clouds reflected in the water.  

We headed on back to the cabin for supper.  Since it is now officially winter and we are so far north, the suns starts to sink behind the horizon at about 3pm and disappears from view about 4pm, and as the light dims rapidly we are soon plunged into darkness.

The cabins are really cosy and we are quite happy to just snuggle and drink tea whilst watching TV or reading or enjoying the photos we had both taken.

An earlyish night for an early start on the morrow!   Time to explore Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle.

The yellow and slightly tattered and faded saltire flag hung limply from a flagpole in the front garden. A sign hung against the tartan patterned stained glass of the inner front door said ‘Ceud mile failte’, a hundred thousand welcomes. It was signed ‘Doogie and Morag’.

I rang the bell and waited. The bell chimes played ‘Scotland the brave’ before the door was opened and I was greeted by a man wearing a kilt. It was the proprietor himself, Doogie. Just for a brief moment it felt as if I would be crushed within an all embracing hug. He smiled, more of a huge grin opening from a bearded face, and shook my hand vigorously. It was a warm welcome.

“Aye you’ll be the guest. Come awa’ in, I’ll show yers to yer room.”

I had travelled north and was spending a few days in Scotland near Inverness, having first booked a small hotel over the internet. I am one of those people who like to know where they are staying before I actually arrive.

With a bag in one hand and laptop in the other I followed Doogie across the tartan carpet, up the stairs with the stag’s head on the wall and along a corridor decorated with tartan wallpaper. It was November and we exchanged pleasantries on the wretched state of the weather. Each room we passed carried a tartan plaque bearing the name of a different clan. Chandeliers of mock cut glass, well actually plastic, festooned the corridor every few feet and hung down to within 6 feet of the floor. Now I am over 6 feet tall and it was a narrow corridor and I had a bag in each hand and Doogie set a brisk pace. Several chandeliers swayed from side to side behind me.

We reached my room, the Macduff suite. It was nice. Large with a modern four poster bed and a good view to the hills, plain walls and carpet. No tartan, just pictures of the nearby Great Glen and Loch Ness. It would do just fine.

“Aye, you’ll take yer breakfast from seven thirty. Morag ‘ll see to yer.”

The next morning she did too. Breakfast was in the dining room and the ‘full Scottish’, but it has to be said, without the clootie dumplings. Big and bounteous, prepared and cooked by the fair hand of Morag herself, who was also big and bounteous. Now the dinning room and the decor was something else.  Did I mention they liked tartan and the odd Scottish adornment? A blueish green tartan carpet this time, more subdued, different to the brighter reds and blues in the hall and on the stairs. Near matching tartan wallpaper ran a third of the way up the walls, and not quite identical to the upstairs corridor. The chair seat covers were also tartan, but reds and oranges. Pictures of those Victorian idyllic Scottish landscapes; lochs, mountains and glens covered the walls and looked down upon you. Rabbie Burns surveyed the scene from a sturdy towering dresser. The far wall was hung with those painted ceramic plates of dogs, all West Highland terriers. Did I mention Morag liked dogs? There was a West Highland terrier called Mac who barked whenever the front door chimes played. The upper glass in the windows boasted more Scottish symbolism in the form of ‘stained glass’ highland ‘characters. The table cloths were all plain and starched white, but overlaid with a cloth of purple thistles. Ornaments, ceramics, brasses, curiosities and other things Scottish proudly stood on plate rails, window sills, radiator shelves and sideboards. The room definitely made a statement, it shouted out to you, screamed at you with a loud highland cry. Never mind the breakfast, Morag’s room was certainly the ‘full Scottish’.  The venison sausages were nice and the Dundee marmalade too.

Anyone like the address, or are you not too keen on tartan?                                                                                                                                                     HKE538VSNSTJ

Facts about Inverness (courtesy of wikipedia):

The name Inverness is Gaelic and translates as ‘mouth of the river Ness’.

Situated at 57.4717N and 4.2254W.

Inverness (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Nis) is a city in northern Scotland and it is promoted as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland.

The city lies near the site of the eighteenth century Battle of Culloden and at the beginning of the Great Glen, where the River Ness enters the Inverness/Moray Firth making it a natural hub for various transport links.   It is the northernmost city in the United Kingdom.   A settlement was established by the sixth century AD with the first royal charter being granted by King David I in the twelfth century.

Inverness was one of the chief strongholds of the Picts, and in AD 565 was visited by St Columba with the intention of converting the Pictish king Brude, who is supposed to have resided in the vitrified fort on Craig Phadrig, on the western edge of the city. A 93 oz (2.6 kg) silver chain dating to 500-800 was found just to the south at Torvean.

click here and scroll down for a map of Inverness/Scotland

The 14.11.09 approached both rapidly and slowly and it was with excitement and anticipation that we woke on Saturday and set off on our journey up north.  This is the farthest north we, my offspring and I have ever been – 57.4717N and 4.2254W!!!   Brilliant.

CJ reached Victoria station before I did and very naughtily filmed me walking across the concourse!   We took the Gatwick Express since it was almost £2 cheaper than by regular train.   Go figure.

Check in at Easyjet was chop-chop and with time to spare we went to MacDonald’s for a Happy Meal for a happy CJ

and a chocolate milkshake for me.

This is the first time wev’e travelled with Easyjet and although the flight is the same as any other cheap airline, I was totally unimpressed with the fact that they left our luggage out in the rain and when we arrived at our destination our clothes were wet.  Even more so since CJ was forced to check her bag at a cost of £18 because the bag was literally a zip width to wide for the onboard luggage sizer.

However, excitement reigned supreme as we boarded and finally took off, 25 minutes late.   We were off to the Highlands of Scotland, Inverness and final destination was the Great Glen Water Park, situated on Loch Oich (which we did not know beforehand).

The flight was bumpy but uneventful and flying over England was a treat as always.   The countryside is so beautiful and I never tire of seeing it from the air.   A great expanse of blue sky and great big tumbles of wonderful white clouds accompanied our flight, providing fantastic photo opportunities.

With no idea what to expect we suddenly flew over the highlands!

and practically climbed out the window with excitement.   The view was stupendous.   Great open stretches of mountain and wilderness, huge lakes that spread for miles.    The sun shone down and touched on a mountaintop providing a glimpse of the splendour to come.

Scotland; land of legends, castles, humble crofts, high mountains and tranquil lochs, battlefields echoing to the cries of long ago and remote glens home to towering firs and magnificent golden eagles.

Touchdown was uneventful, no rain but threatening.   Collected our luggage, which was soaked!   A complaint coming up here!   Then over to Avis to collect our hire car.  I have decided to write up a checklist of things to look out for and questions to ask for future reference.

It was starting to drizzle again, so in the rain I checked the car over thoroughly, remembering the lesson from Ireland.   By the time I had checked for little bumps and scratches my hands were frozen and my sleeves soaked.

By now the light was fading and losing no time we set off, first stop Tesco, just 2 miles down the road for supplies.   We had fun whizzing round the store (which was massive and jam-packed with goodies) picking and choosing yummy things to eat and drink, mindful of our budgets.   By the time we emerged it was dark!!!  Now for the fun bit – finding our way through a foreign town in the dark.   Fortunately CJ had printed a fairly detailed map of the area and we made good progress to the A82 (I think) and then on to our destination.

At that time I had no idea how far the Great Glen Park was from Inverness and had considered taking a cab there!   Fortunately I had hired a car!   It was 54miles from the airport!   I had no idea.   We drove and drove, the rain falling steadily and with absolutely no idea where the place was, we anxiously scanned the map for landmarks.

1.5 hours later we finally arrived, just before 7pm and we had made the check-in deadline with 10 minutes to spare.  By now pitch-dark we had not an inkling of the beauty and magnificence awaiting us.   The A-frame cabins are darling and we made ourselves right at home.   The first thing that went on was the heating, as it was quite freezing cold.

Hunting around the cabin it took ages for us to find all the switches to activate the various appliances, and the only one we could not find was the switch for the hot water!   The following day we enquired at the office and the handyman came along to show us where it was – right behind the box of oats I had placed on the counter!!! Go figure.

Then a toss-up on who would get the double bed!  CJ won for the first 4 nights since she was only staying till Wednesday, so that was fair enough.  Then time to unpack, hang clothes up to dry and have supper!   We had bought a pizza for convenience and popped it into the oven.   Hahahaha, we ended up with – a burnt pizza for supper!  The oven settings were unfamiliar and we set it too high.  It tasted just fine actually and nicely crunchy round the edges

Relaxing and watching TV, Strictly Come Dancing was on and not to be missed, followed by X-Factor, we settled in for the week, cosy and comfortable.   Later that evening just after getting into bed, I had a summons from CJ to quickly get my jacket and shoes on and come outside.   I duly complied and stepping out back behind the cabin I lifted my eyes to the heavens and gasped.   A blanket of stars covered the night sky, brightly twinkling and sparkling in the night sky.   I am reminded once again of the fact that because we are creatures of the daytime, we miss out on this glorious spectacle every night.

We shivered and giggled, somewhat nervous that we were so close to the forest, literally feet away, it was dark and eerie and every rustle had us squeaking with fright. With wolves and ghosts in mind, and things that go bump in the night, I did not last long when finally my nerve broke and we skedaddled back inside, laughing and giggling fit to bust.

We had no idea what was awaiting our eyes on the morrow.   And so to bed, I slept like the proverbial baby.  Utter peace and quiet.   Bliss.

Volevo tributare il mio dovuto riconoscimento alla professionalità e gentilezza del personale addetto al Customer Service della sede britannica della White’s Electronics (Inverness, Scozia) e soprattutto della Sig.ra Margaret del Sales Management. Il 18 novembre ho scritto alla White’s chiedendo se cortesemente potevano inviarmi una copia cartacea (o PDF) del libro di Jimmy “Sierra” Normandi UNDERSTANDING THE DFX che tempo fa veniva normalmente inserito nelle confezioni del DFX. Come spiego nella mia email, il mio DFX (un ex-demo acquistato l’estate scorsa dal distributore ufficiale italiano) ne era sprovvisto.
La Sig.ra Margaret, dopo neanche un’ora, mi risponde che, pur se non è di prassi che tale volume accompagni le confezioni del DFX, loro ancora detengono qualche copia extra in azienda e che hanno provveduto ad inviarmene una per posta!

Ragazzi… il 23 Novembre è arrivato il pacchetto col libro… tutto gratuito!!!
Il timbro postale inglese riportava la data di spedizione del 18 Novembre… LO STESSO GIORNO DELLE NOSTRE EMAIL!!!! E guardate bene l’orario delle mail… 15.47 la mia… 4.56 la sua!!!

Non ho parole!

Complimenti davvero White’s Electronics…

Happy Grateful Hunting!
Bodhi3

———————
Vi posto qui le email:

The Bodhi3
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 3:47 PM
To: info@whites.co.uk

————–
XXXXXXX XXXXXX
Strada XXXXXX, 8
XXXX XXXXXX (XX)
ITALY

Ecco la gentilissima risposta arrivata lo stesso giorno…

Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Reply-To: sales@whites.co.uk
To: The Bodhi3

–
White’s Electronics (UK) Ltd
35 Harbour Road
Longman
Inverness
IV1 1UA

A brief note:  Please excuse the boredom that may occur from reading a blog entry where there was abolutely nothing to complain about.  I will try harder to be displeased the next time.

A couple of weeks ago, the left brained artist himself,  Kris Dekker suggested a Tweet Meet.  For those of you not in the loop, a Tweet Meet or a TweetUp is a gathering of Twitterers.  In this case, we were Twitterers from our church who banter back and forth on any given subject.  Take for instance the following exchange:

KD:  Without going into much detail, let me say that FiberOne bars are fairly effective
BH:  I would not eat more than one FiberOne bar at once. You won’t be able to lead choir tomorrow.
APB:  TMI
KD:  We live in an infornmation age. get used to it.
APB:  The Information Age called, he asked that you not share anything relating to Fiber One bars.
KD:  The information age has always been discriminatory against the common man.

If you used Twitter, you would have access to such lofty conversations.  We enjoy it so much that when Kris suggested we get together for lunch, how could we refuse?  So Kris suggested Momma Goldberg’s located in Inverness.  Momma Goldberg’s is originally from Auburn and recently opened two locations here in the Birmingham area.  It’s a deli known for steaming sandwiches.  I had heard good things from others but had not had opportunity to go until today.

Apparently their signature sandwich is called “Momma’s Love” which is a roast beef, turkey, and ham sandwich.  I don’t care for roast beef so I ordered something else.  I can’t comment on the “Momma’s Love” but the others at my table who ordered it really enjoyed it.   I enjoyed my sandwich.  The service was fine.  We got our sandwiches quickly.  The restaurant was clean.  The company was excellent.  Darn it if I didn’t actually have a good time!

I’m desperately trying to think of something to complain about in an effort to not make this a complete loss of an entry.  Oh yes.  I’ve got it.  The tables were 24″ or 30″ round tops.  That’s hardly conducive to a group.  So there.  Their tables were round and not square or rectangle.    So can I in good conscience recommend this restaurant given their penchant for round tables?  Only if you like good sandwiches, quick service, and a convenient location.

Now, if you’d like to be cool like us, get yourself a Twitter account.

Piove. Ininterrottamente da ieri notte. Però sono contento, sono venuto a casa senza ombrello (tanto con questo vento serve a poco), alla scozzese, anche se poi mi sono asciugato i capelli, all’italiana.

Le ultime due settimane sono state molto piene e molto belle. Poco tempo per dormire, poco tempo per pensare. Non mi ricordo neanche più bene cos’é successo, é tutto un po’ confuso, un po’ dreamy. I feel like I’m losing track of things a little, but I’m having a good time, so I guess it doesn’t matter.

La settimana scorsa é venuta a trovarmi Giorgia, una ragazza di Rieti che ho conosciuto a Cambridge nel 2003. Eravamo diventati “amici di penna”, o di e-mail, o qualcosa del genere, e poi ci siamo visti un paio di volte tra Roma e Bologna. Poi non ci siamo più sentiti per un bel po’, finché non c’é stato il terremoto all’Aquila. Lei studia là, era là quando é successo, casa sua distrutta, lei illesa perché aveva passato la notte da un’amica.

Insomma, l’ultima persona che mi aspettavo mi venisse a trovare. Ero anche un po’ preoccupato, perché non abbiamo mai passato tanto tempo insieme, poteva essere un po’ akward. Invece é andato tutto bene, mi ha fatto piacere rivederla, credo che mi faccia bene passare un po’ di tempo con persone diverse da me (lei é un po’ una sfattona – senza offesa, Giò –, io sono più tranquillo, più “anziano”, come dice lei), e fare da guida a qualcuno in città ti aiuta a vedere tutto con occhi diversi.

La prima sera (mercoledì, l’11) ci siamo incontrati per caso al Brass Monkey con Janne e due suoi amici belgi che la sono venuti a trovare. Dopo cena invece siamo usciti con Joffrey e Jadwiga, e Giorgia si é detta d’accordo con me: sono pazzi. Joffrey ha fatto un paio delle sue solite uscite e Jadwiga ci ha raccontato di quando é venuta qui a 18 anni, dopo che il suo ragazzo di allora in Polonia aveva deciso di non sposarla. Siamo andati a casa presto.

Giovedì l’ho portata a fare un giro su Arthur’s Seat, a me piace un sacco ma lei non la vedevo molto convinta. La sera invece siamo andati all’Elephant café, il posto dove, dicono, J.K. Rowling ha ideato e cominciato a scrivere Harry Potter. Ci siamo incontrati lì con Janne e i belgi, e poi abbiamo finito la serata al Cabaret Voltaire. Gran bella serata, forse influenzata dal fatto che per cena (cioé, invece della cena) io e Giorgia ci siamo bevuti sette birre.

Venerdì mattina, dopo aver dormito un’ora, abbiamo preso l’autobus per Inverness. Città minuscola ma molto carina, sul fiume Ness, a un tiro di schioppo dal lago. Abbiamo fatto un giro lì e uno a Urquhart Castle, castello in rovina sulle rive di Loch Ness. A me é piaciuto un sacco, contro ogni previsione c’era un bel sole, poca gente, si stava benissimo. Ho fatto un milione di foto al castello, ne potete vedere un po’ su Facebook (“Oh Nessie where art thou?”). Non abbiamo visto il mostro, ma va be’. Abbiamo passato la notte in ostello a Inverness, conoscendo un buon numero di personaggi bizzarri, e il giorno dopo abbiamo ripreso l’autobus dopo aver fatto un’altro giro per la città.

Domenica siamo andati al National Museum of Scotland (una figata. Gratuito. Immenso. Interessantissimo. Ci devo assolutamente tornare) e poi la sera abbiamo improvvisato un cous cous. Giorgia é tornata a casa nel cuore della notte (Ryan Air…).

Lunedì Jo mi ha spiegato che le potenze occidentali rifiutano agli immigrati l’ingresso nelle loro nazioni, e però vendono ai paesi africani le armi per continuare le guerre che li tengono in povertà e li costringono ad emigrare. L’Italia ad esempio respinge gli immigrati in Libia e da lì nel resto dei paesi africani, dove possono continuare a morire di fame o ad ammazzarsi usando le armi della Beretta. Mi piace Jo.

Martedì mattina sono andato a fare il colloquio per avere un National Insurance Number, una storia tipo il codice fiscale che serve per lavorare qua. Alla sera Janne e Maura mi hanno aiutato a fare i muffins per il giorno dopo, che purtroppo si sono tutti afflosciati in forno =(. Alla fine erano buoni, solo non sembravano muffins. Poi abbiamo guardato Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, sempre bello.

Mercoledì (ieri) ho fatto una cena per il compleanno. Non é venuta tanta gente, solo Janne, Ed, Henry, Tom, Philippa e Natalia. A quanto pare non sono molto popolare in questa città. Però sono stato bene, gli spaghetti alla carbonara (con le zucchine al posto della pancetta per Ed) sono venuti buoni e abbiamo passato una bella serata. Maura mi ha comprato una torta buonissima fatta a biscotto gigante to make up for my failed muffins, che grande. Alla fine i ragazzi insistevano per vedere la partita e quindi siamo finiti in un bar d’irlandesi vicino allo stadio, giusto in tempo per vedere Henry e un arbitro cieco inculare l’Irlanda del Trap.

Oggi piove, come detto. Un po’ hangover, un po’ di malinconia anche se ho ancora il sorriso. Comincio a chiedermi se sia stata una buona idea decidere di non venire a casa a Natale. Cerco di non pensare al fatto che mio papà a 23 anni si era già sposato e manteneva la famiglia lavorando in officina, mentre io sono in Scozia a cazzeggiare, o cose di questo genere. L’unico lavoro in prospettiva per ora sembra il trasloco del Direttore, un sabato a spostare dei mobili.

Rileggendo questa roba, con tutte le frasi spezzate, sembra che io stia avendo a shitty time. Non é così, é solo che il blog serve per i momenti di riflessione, che mal si conciliano con quelli di divertimento. Nelle ultime due settimane ho dormito poco, fatto tanto, bevuto più del solito, ballato, cantato, riso, viaggiato, visto dei posti poetici e spettacolari (Loch Lomond e Loch Ness), conosciuto meglio alcune persone (Janne, ma anche Maura, adesso che ci separiamo mi sembra che stiamo diventando amici, e ovviamente Giorgia), lavorato pochissimo (che tanto non mi pagano, e lo so che sono presuntuoso ma non mi sembra di avere più niente da imparare).

Novembre finora é stato un gran bel mese.

É galere (sem trema pela nova regra),

finalmente comecei a viajar pel’Europa. Fui para Escócia e para a Irlanda. E aparentemente esse negócio de ser barrado na fronteira é para os newbies. Na Irlanda mesmo, com 1 bom-dia, 3 frases intransitivas e um numeral eu consegui 6 vistos de uma vez, o tio da fronteira carimbou os passaportes sem nem olhar pra cara da galera.

Na Escócia foi MUITO mais complicado, a mulher perguntou uma meia dúzia de coisas, como quanto tempo você vai ficar e qual é o seu albergue, e pediu a passagem de volta. Por sinal era um papel impresso da Ryanair (ou seja não vale nada, mas custa 20 euros se você não imprimir). Na segunda vez nem isso, eu entrei no país sem nem olhar na cara de ninguém. Não querendo ser chato nem preconceituoso nem nada, mas essa galera barrada deve ter realmente muito cara de retirante nordestino indo pra Sumpaulo.

Por quê Escócia, por que você não foi pra Londres?

Essa é fácil, estava mais barato. Mesmo assim, ‘fikdik’, se algum dia você resolver comprar uma passagem de 2 cêntimos, lembre dos 5 euros que você vai pagar pra pagar, mais o bilhete do metrô até Porte Maillot, mais os 13 euros até Beauvais (que fica lá na Picardia), mais qualquer coisa de errado que você puder fazer, tipo não imprimir  check-in, chegar atrasado, levar  bagagem de mais, levar uma coisa que não pode.  Enfim, o barato sai caro (mas Londres seria ainda mais caro).

E não, a Escócia não tipo uma Inglaterra do interior.  Antes que alguém faça qualquer comparação com um estrangeiro indo para o Brasil e ficando no Piauí. A Escócia é muito decente. Você entra de graça nos lugares, a cerveja é barata. A cidade é absurdamente antiga e tem umas passagens muito medievais umas escadas entre prédios e uns castelos em pontos estratégicos. Enfim, Edimburgo é um lugar que eu recomendo.

Agora citações menos  longas, não por menor importância,  mas porque eu fiquei menos tempo:

Inverness, onde a palavra Inverno ganha sentido, mesmo no Outono.

Um highlander nos ajudou. Estávamos com frio, meia noite na rua, procurando o albergue e os tios que instalavam as luzes de natal da cidade resolveram sentir pena de nós e a gente pegou carona no furgão de manutenção da prefeitura.  Ai um dos highlanders nos levou até  porta do albergue.

O highlander do albergue estava puto conosco porque a gente chegou tarde. Acho que é hobby nacional de lá reclamar de tudo, porque todo mundo reclama o tempo todo mas é brother.

Depois de Inverness, eu só ando de bermuda e camiseta. Casaco é para os fracos.

Dublim, caro pa porra. Tipo Paris, mas eles falam gaélico, e inglês nas horas vagas. Muito bonita, fui na fábrica da Guiness, não entrei. Comprei 2 Guinesses pra tomar depois e foi só. De noite eu cai na cama. Me chamaram pra sair, mas como de costume eu respondi dormindo e não fui, no outro dia, como os escoceses fiquei reclamando.

Voltamos para Glasgow, bizarramente nenhum oficial de fronteira, ou seja, quer entrar no Reino Unido ilegalmente, Dublin-Glasgow, custa 1 libra (mais 5 pra pagar no cartão e 20 pra levar uma mala), acha uma inglesa, casa e tá em casa.

Não fizemos nada, só ficamos no aeroporto esperando o vôo para Paris.

Foi isso a viagem, eu não tirei fotos, mas vou roubar fotos dos brotheres pra colocar como minhas. Obviamente tem que fazer a seleção e criar as legendas, porque comigo né só tirar um bando de foto e colocar n’orkut não.

Abraçundas

Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) is a Scottish charity that provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people with life-limiting conditions.

A children’s hospice offers professional care, practical help and emotional support to the whole family usually from the day of acceptance, to the death of their child, and beyond.

Over the last few months I have been putting some free music on this blog as part of a collection of songs entitled Commissions 2008-2009.

The songs include one of the first Calamateur songs ever released, a remix for the folk/indie legend Iain Morrison, a children’s song about the hidden wonders of precipitation(!), an ambient soundscape inspired by one of the streets in Inverness city centre, a soundtrack and, lastly, a hymn!

There are six songs in all and you can now download them as one large file, with artwork included, by clicking here:

DOWNLOAD NOW

Or you can download them individually here (just right-click and choose ‘Save Link As’ to download):

1. Calamateur – Inhabit
2. Iain Morrison – Folklore & Distant Creed (Calamateur remix)
3. Andrew Howie & Cauldeen Primary – The Bad Weather Song
4. Calamateur – Baron Taylor Street
5. Calamateur – The Other Side of Air
6. Andrew Howie – Love Come Down

You can read the stories behind each song by clicking here.

Hope you enjoy the music – if you like you can send a donation my way here.

Thanks for reading!

‘Tis (almost) the season to be merry; that time of year when harmony reigns in the office and staff look forward eagerly to the annual Christmas bash.

So, at this special time of year, it’s only natural that a lawyer’s thoughts turn to…litigation.

Getting into the festive swing, the Aberdeen office of solicitors Ledingham Chalmers is organizing a seminar aimed at helping companies steer clear of law suits while hosting the annual office Christmas party.

Kate Robertson of Ledingham Chalmers explains: “The Christmas party is often the one date which is in everyone’s office diary – which is precisely why it’s not without its risks to an employer. Creating an environment in which everyone knows what behaviour is out of bounds – and knowing how to tackle issues if they arise – is vital at all times but especially in the run-up to the festive season.”

Geared towards guiding party organisers through the potential pitfalls, the seminar takes place on Thursday 19 November, from 12pm to 2.30pm, at the firm’s offices at Johnstone House, Rose Street, Aberdeen.

Excitingly, the event features ‘scenario-based workshops’, but it’s not made clear as to whether scenarios will be acted out in detail. This seems to me like an unfortunate omission; to avoid litigation, staff need to be trained via scenarios that are as realistic as possible – you know the kind of thing, agonizing groans are emitting from the stationery cupboard but your eager first aider is unable to help, because the door appears to be locked from the inside. What’s your legal duty here?

And when the denizens of the mailroom start using the photocopier to obtain yuletide images of their bahookies, are you legally obliged to stop them in case they render themselves infertile on those weird blue rays the machine emits?

Or, when you pour your most bibulous guest onto the last train, is he allowed to sue you for accommodation and travel costs when he wakes up in Falmouth instead of Falkirk?

And why only in Aberdeen? Ledingham Chalmers also has offices in Inverness (a place where reeling is consider compulsory at parties) and in Edinburgh, the city that claims to be a world centre for Hogmanay (and houghmagandie). Is it because Ledingham Chalmers’ Aberdeen parties are legends in themselves? If so, I’m available…

Stewart McIntosh

www.ledinghamchalmers.com

Construction turnover in the Scottish Highlands will have plummeted by 22 per cent by the end of 2009, severely reducing employment opportunities.

The latest statistics from the Highland Building Employers’ Association, part of the Scottish Building Federation, reveals that construction jobs fell by 19.4 per cent this year. The situation for would-be apprentices is even more dire, with recruitment of first year apprentices down 50 per cent (from 400 in 2007 to 200 in 2009). As a result, many firms fear a major skills shortage across the region when the recovery comes.

A major factor in the downturn in construction activity has been a ‘massive fall in demand for new private sector houses’ throughout the Highlands – down 30 per cent this year.

The Highland industry’s strong reliance on public sector work has been traditionally viewed as a strength, but this view is changing amid fears of major cutbacks by local and national governments. Three out of four respondents said they were ‘heavily reliant’ on the public sector, with some suggesting that as much as 75 to 88 per cent of their turnover comes from the public sector.

The report describes Highland Council’s accelerated capital spend of £6 million into the 2009/2010 budget as ‘helpful’, having partially protected local construction companies from the worst effects of the recession. But the report goes on to raise major concerns about the knock-on impact on budgets for the forthcoming financial year, with capital expenditure in 2010/11 forecast to fall by as much as 50 per cent. The report concludes by demanding:

·         an increase in spending on social/affordable housing

·         more pressure on the banks to help private sector projects

·         a slashing of VAT on building works

·         special assistance to enable companies to employ apprentices

The Scottish Building Federation’s Chief Executive, Michael Levack, said: “This survey has produced highly worrying figures that suggest an industry that is still under significant pressure. Worst of all, things may yet get worse before they get better.”

Stewart McIntosh

www.scottish-building.co.uk

Same view, different day – Inverness, originally uploaded by Photographs by Jim.

Those houses don’t sell cheaply. I might retire to that field in view in years to come.

Feeling nostalgic for a bit of stinky, steamtrain action, we took a trip through Cairngorm national park.

Choo choooo

It was pretty authentic. There was even a gruff, soot covered engineer. I felt like Ringo Starr should have been narrating in the background.

The real deal

There wasn’t really much to see on the way, Vanessa even had a little nap. The train was cool though.

Nap time

We based ourselves at a camping ground just out of Inverness in Dingwall. We attempted our second disposable BBQ experiment, this time with more success.

I feel a lot of anxiety when cooking a disposable BBQ. There’s one shot at it, if you don’t time it properly and get it all right up front then you are screwed. In this sense the disposable BBQ is the Waterfall of the grilling world. I prefer an approach where you can always chuck the steak back on the hotplate if it is too pink.

As you can see though, Vanessa was in her element – comandeering a disposable BBQ just as efficiently as a real one.

Everybody cook or the sausage gets it!

Here we  also experienced our first airbed failure. Early in the morning I heard a rrrrptt…phwoosh noise. It wasn’t just the after effects of the BBQ either. With that, the Argos airbed hit the bin and an £8 replacement was procured from Tesco.

Oh Tesco, our saviour. We went to Tesco pretty much every day, mainly because we had no means of refrigeration. I think we would have camped in Tesco if we could get away with it. It would have been like Dawn of the Dead, except without zombies. So not nearly as cool in that sense.

We took the obligatory trip over Loch Ness. No sign of the monster. I was genuinely disappointed.

No monster

We also took a trip out to the Black Isle Brewery. I love checking out smaller microbreweries, they always have something a bit different. The oatmeal stout was my favourite.

On the way out there we came across a friendly cow that we dubbed Daisy. She was very quick with the tongue when you got close enough. Daisy may or may not have been her real name.

Daisy

Hier ein paar Notes zu unserem Inverness Rollout

Wir waren im Glenmoriston Town House Hotel Inverness. Ein relativ einfaches Hotel mit noch einfacherem Frühstücksbuffet. Hier zu sehen bei Google Maps. Es liegt rechts vom Glen Mhor Hotel direkt am Fluss. Die Rezeption ist sehr schlecht zu finden, denn diese ist mit im Restaurant abstract. Unsere Zimmer befanden sich im Nebengebäude, in diesem ist auch das Restaurant contrast untergebracht.
Internetzugang ist kostenfrei per WLan möglich allerdings muss man jeden Tag einen neuen Access Code sich an der Rezeption geben lassen – oder man bekommt (wie wir gegen ende unseres Aufenthaltes) einen eigenene User für die Zeit eingerichtet.

Sehr zum empfehlen ist ein kleines Restaurant Namens River Side dass 800m Flußabwärts vom Hotel entfernt ist. Hier bei Google Maps. Es befindet sich direkt neben der Riverside Gallery die sich im Gleichen Gebäude rechts davon befindet. Links daneben befindet sich eine Kirche.
Auch ganz gut war dass Mustard Seed Restaurant welches Allerdings ein wenig teurer als das River Side ist. Hier der Google Maps Link.

Wie bereits am Montag in Teil2 erwähnt, hier ein Bild des gewaltigen Butterberges den wir jeden morgen zu zweit vernichten dürfen

Ok seid heute haben wir noch andere Hürden auf dem Weg zum “Butterberg” zu nehmen.
Der “Frühstücksaal” ist nun geschlossen und wir dürfen morgens erstmal über den Parkplatz ins Nebengebäude wandern – und bei Regen (der in Schottland ja soooooo selten ist – macht dass ganze noch viel mehr Spass.

Ich hatte heute aber ein Erlebnis dass mich nachdenklich stimmt – ich war gerade am Frühstücken, da kommt die Bedienung und frägt meinen Kollegen “can I take the plate?”. 
Er hatte sein Rührei gegessen – also sagte er “yes”.
Die Bedienung nahm dann mir MEINEN Teller weg, sammelte MEIN Besteck ein und ging.
OK ich schaute glaub ziemlich blöd mit meinem Hörnchen im Mund als ich mein Frühstück davonlaufen sah … .

Many years ago, while changing channels on the TV, I came across a Discovery program on the Scottish Highlands. The picture is still fresh in my mind. A man dressed in slacks and hiking boots, out on a hike with his dog – walking over a never ending series of rolling hills, glens and along beautiful lakes. The colours were absolutely mind-boggling. Could such a place really exist?

Well, when the wife decided that we must stop in the UK, on our way back from India to the US, it was a perfect time to find out. Of course, the fact that it was summer  - good weather with long days – and that coming in from Delhi at 44 degree C, Scotland would have been a big relief – certainly helped. And so, we found ourselves heading towards Edinburgh – which some said is a gateway into Scotland.

Day 0: Getting There

A quick flight from London Heathrow brought us into Edinburgh around 8 pm. A small and pretty airport. Hopped onto the Airlink (100) bus and headed into the city. 10 minutes and we had our first glimpse of the castle. Sitting majestically on top of a hill that rises from nowhere and seems to lord over everything, Edinburgh Castle was going to be our destination on Day 1.

But, I’m getting ahead. With an overcast sky, fading daylight and house lights just about coming on, as the bus inches it’s way into the city and the city starts to unfold, the only thought that runs through you is – “Wow! This city is beautiful”.

Edinburgh...with the Castle in the background

And, it is. Small, quaint, Victorian, monuments, architecture, the Castle, fading light…you get the picture…right?

Anyway, the weather held up till we got off the bus and as we made our way to the hotel a quick 10 minute walk away, it started to rain. Dripping, I checked in, while the wife and the kids checked out an Indian restaurant close by. Well fed (well fed to the Pahwas is desi food) and sated (sated to the Pahwas is Good desi food), we relaxed and planned for the next day.

Day 1: A royal time in Edinburgh

The quaint and crooked streets of Europe

The sun rises early and by the time we all got up, it was bright and shining. A quick breakfast and a bus day pass later, we were walking on Princess Street, along the monument, over the Waverly bridge to a cobbled path which promised to take us to the Royal Mile Road.

Hit High Street/Royal Mile Road somewhere in the middle and started walking up to the Castle. The cobbled road winding it’s way up to the Castle, the architecture of the buildings through which it weaves up, the little shops lined up – it’s a good start to the day. On the way up, we cross a cathedral. Beautiful!

Cathedral on the Royal Mile Rd

Just before we hit the Castle, a store advertising “Haggis – Scotland’s traditional fare – try it for free” caught my attention. Though I’d heard of Haggis, I had no clue what it was. But, in Rome one must do what Romans do, so in I went and tried Haggis. Liked it. Lunch decision made!

Edinburgh Castle

Finally, the Castle. Doesn’t look too big when you are finally standing in front of the entrance, but it’s quite big really. As we start exploring it, we realize that the castle is built on a volcanic rock and that  there’s more climbing to be done once one is inside the Castle walls.

The castle itself is spread out. There is the entrance and the path that winds up into the main yard. Cannons and guns dot the walls. Lookouts points, hidden cervices and small rounded holes for the use of small arms – all designed to keep the castle safe from outsiders.

The canon makes a great resting place!

There’s the chapel, the dungeon, the war museum, the little nooks and cranies & even a dog-cemetery. There’s a section devoted to the story behind the One O’Clock Gun and another one on the progression of the Scottish regiments throughout the ages. And, of course, a section displaying some of the Queen’s jewels and other treasures.

This is looking into the castle. Looking out, it’s another story. The view is simply magnificent. The sun’s up, it’s almost a clear day and one can see for miles. We are looking down on to the city and can see the Holyrood gardens straight down below us. Beyond that the old town of Edinburgh and further down, the water – that’s the Firth of Forth which feeds into the North sea.

The view from the Castle - lording over Edinburgh

We’ve seen the castle, savored the view and now the only thing left, is the One O’Clock Gun. Since 1861, the big gun on the castle is fired exactly at 1 O’clock every day. In the olden days, it acted as a time signal for the ships in the Firth of Forth and also helped everyone calibrate their watches. Now, it’s a tradition. Should we wait? We decide not. We decide to walk down the cobbled path of the Royal Mile Road to the very end – to the Holyrood palace. And, if the gun does its job well, we should hear it on the way.

On the way, just as we start walking, we come across the Scotch museum. But, as we enter it, better sense prevails and we stop at the museum store. History can wait. We buy a few samplers.

We continue our walk and while just a few minutes ago, it looked to be a great day, it suddenly starts to rain. And, in the process, we miss the boom of the gun.

Will this cobbled path lead to lunch?

Its lunch time and we are still walking, looking for lunch. And, for a change, I’m being difficult. I want Haggis. No other food will do. The problem is that there’s been a power failure of sorts and hence, many of the restaurants don’t have Haggis which needs to be kept refrigerated. But, we shall continue to try and since it’s stopped raining and the sun is out again, it needs to be a restaurant with outside sitting.

Just when the wife and the kids have had enough, we find a place which has Haggis available. So finally, we sit down outside and I enjoy a fine lunch of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (I promise, that’s what the combo’s called). I like it.

Lunch over, we are back on the road. This time we decide to take the bus. We hop onto the next one going down and 10 minutes later, find ourselves outside the Scottish parliament. No desire to see any kind of democracy in action. But, the Holyrood Palace across the road beckons.

Or, maybe not. The last tour just left and the Palace is now closed.

But, there’s a hill next to the Palace and I can see people on the way up and then some people on the top. The Palace is closed, the weather good again, the hill next door, what can one do. Climb it of course!

So, this is the Holyrood Park and the hills we saw were the Salisbury Crags.

The Salisbury Crags...enroute to Arthur's Seat

Very steep climb and then after about 20 mts, it eases out and then it’s almost flat. By now, we are walking along a path with a rocky face on the left and a nice drop on the right and a wonderful view of the city around us even though it’s cloudy again. Since, one must use a reference, the path and walk remind me of the Western Ghats in monsoon.

 Suddenly, the path heads down and behind the Crags, one sees another hill with many people at the top. That’s Arthur’s Seat. Anjali takes one look at the path heading down and then the next hill and makes it clear that this is a vacation, not an exercise. I use my trump card. Kids – I say – do you want to climb up or what? With a thumping yes to back me up, we say bye to Anjali and the three of us head up (or rather down).

Lovely place to be lost!

And, promptly get lost. We can see the path winding up, but take too long to reach it. So, we change plans and decide to get to the top of the Crags that we were on. The tarred path is now gone and we find ourselves climbing up the gentle side of the crags, creating our own path, overlooking a small lake, in a valley of sorts surrounded by gentle rolling hills.

Nearing the top

Reach the top, feel good. Also, feel the first drops of rain. Hurry down, find the tarred path, climb up, across the flats, and then down the steep part, By the time we are down and find Anjali, it’s raining hard. We find a café, have hot chai and get dry.

By now, we are a bit tired. So, we take the first bus that comes along and spend the next hour or so, changing buses and being driven through the city. We soak it all in – the new town, the old town, people shopping, people walking, kids playing. Through the market, along playgrounds, over hills, down by the port, through residential areas, besides the Marina – letting the feel and pulse of the city seep through our body and soul. And, since the next stop looks familiar, we realize we are near our hotel and get off. Back to the hotel for a quick freshen up.

It’s dinner time and Anjali wants to be well fed. Yes, she wants desi food and so does Pranaya. There are 2 more restaurants near our hotel. One was open when we crossed it a while ago and now it’s closed (at 8 pm? On a Tuesday?). And, the other doesn’t look too appealing. Between the mom and the son, they recall having crossed two desi restaurants during our bus adventure. So, its mission “Find the Desi restaurant”. We walk and change buses and find both the restaurants. One is closed (why?) and the other has only non veg take outs. Since, both the mom and son are also vegetarians, we are back on the buses heading back to the unappealing restaurant near the hotel.

The food is actually quite decent and we troop back into the hotel – tired but satisfied, with a full stomach and happy anticipation for the next day when we head out north – into the Highlands.

Day 2: Heading North – Loching for Nessie

Gitika is up early and she’s in a bad mood. For a girl not yet 8, she does sometimes behave like a cross between a teenager and my grandmother. She’s got attitude and a stern disapproving look. The issue is simple – Why wasn’t I in the room when she woke up?” Go figure.

And, where was I? After finishing up most of the packing, I was next door renting a car and finalizing the route for the day. I’m now ready to get on the road. Gitika is not. So, I spend the next ten minutes with her and she’s happy now. Well, we are in the car (a Ford Station Wagon with plenty of room) and ready to move.

Not so, I guess. Since, I just can’t figure out how to put the car in reverse. We waste a few precious minutes before my ego takes second place to the ticking clock and I ask (one has to disengage the gear by pulling it up before it can be put in reverse. Dummy!!!). And, we are finally on our way with the Tom-Tom GPS system leading us into the city on our way to the Forth  bridge, with Anjali on tenterhooks because I’m driving too much on the left – almost brushing against other cars that I pass – and the kids are fighting again. I blame the small roads and the short sleep respectively. Nevertheless, we make it out of the city without a scratch on the car or the kids and as we cross over the Firth of Forth over the Forth bridge, we can feel the landscape changing and the scenery just opens out in front of us. We are truly on our way.

First stop on the agenda is Loch Leven and the Loch Level Castle. We miss the exit, realize the miss too late, the next exit never seems to come and so, we continue to drive. Frankly, we are enjoying the scenery too much by now. Green hillocks on our left, pastures on our right and a 4 lane road cutting through. No wonder I missed the exit.

The kids...happy together? What's happening?

So we continue and reach Perth. Small town. I guess pretty too. Make our way to the Tourist Center. Ask for help in making B&B reservations for us for today and tomorrow. Now, we’ve never done B&B before and all I know is that you stay with regular people in their house and they see you off the next day with a big hearty breakfast. I thought it would be fun. Pranaya did not think so. He’s all for adventure, this boy of mine. But, something unknown makes him uncomfortable. Unfamiliar food, unknown authors, strange places, etc. – they all make him go no-no. And, when I told him no hotels only B&B for the rest of the trip, well, let’s say that he wasn’t the most enthusiastic. Every so often, he would say “Why don’t we stay at a hotel, just one more night?” or “What if we don’t like the place?” or “Why can’t we….?”…you get the picture…Right?

B&B reservations done, back on the road. Very little traffic but we are not driving fast. Whatever for? We are taking in the beauty of it all and stopping every few minutes. With a quick stop at Blair castle – which we decided to miss – we are back on the road. And, it starts to rain. Gently at first, then it pours and pours.

It’s also lunch time, so we pull onto a side road and park overlooking a meadow. It’s still raining hard, so lunch will be in the car. Lunch is paranthas (carried them from Delhi) with Bikaneri bhujiya and butter. The paranthas are cold but in that weather, an absolute delight. Alas, we get only one each, since the other packets are spoiled.

Back on the road and a quick stop for sandwiches and coffee. With the city of Inverness approaching, we are now looking forward to start searching for Nessie. Suddenly, we are in Inverness and before we know it, out of it and now we are headed South. Within minutes the landscape changes and we come across a huge lake on our left. This is Loch Ness.

Loch Ness and Monster 1

Loch Ness and Monster 2

My first impressions are not really positive. Is this what the world famous Loch Ness with it’s own resident monster looks like. I mean, it looks like any other lake – a large body of water. But, as we drive along the lake, the lake opens out and the views become better and better. By now, the sun is out once again and frankly, the Loch is starting to look beautiful to me. We stop at many points clicking photgraphs and trying to catch a glimpse of Nessie. The photos are great – but unfortunately, no Nessie!

Loch Ness with the Urquhart Castle in the distance

We are now approaching another bend in the road. We see something far away that catches our eye. We stop and see that it’s the ruins of a castle. Thankfully, it’s on the same side of the Loch so we hurry over and arrive at Urquhart Castle.

The ruins of Urquhart Castle

Perched on top of a small knoll, surrounded on 3 sides by the Loch with a beautiful carpet like green grass and even in it’s state of partial ruins, looking stately and romantic, lies the remains of Urquhart Castle.  We spend some time exploring the castle, reading about the Jacobite attack, looking across the Loch and marveling at the sheer beauty. Soon it’s time to go. Next stop – Drumnadrochit!

Drumnadrochit (pronounced Drum-na-Drawkit) is less than a mile from the castle and is a small town (almost a village). Less than 1/3 mile across, surprisingly, we find a couple of restaurants there. It’s raining now (almost a downpour) and so we scamper in hungry, tired and wet. Dinner is actually great. Soup, salad and pizza followed by pastries and cake. We are feeling good now. And, start looking for our B&B.

The B&B is in Sonia’s name and is a lovely 2 storied old fashioned house – on a ranch. I see stables and sure enough, there are horses around. And, a cow. The house is modern from inside and tastefully done. Our room is very nice with separate beds for the kids, TV/DVD player and a coffee/tea maker in the room. The sheets are clean, the bathroom neat and our hosts very hospitable. They own the property across the road also and invite us to walk across the same to a stream beyond.

Outskirts of Drumnadrochit

This is Sonia and Graham’s first year running a B&B. She is English, while Graham is a Scot. They’ve been living here for years – running a farm, breeding horses. Now that all the kids except the youngest (at 22) are gone, they run the farm and a B&B.

Well, the kids are settled – watching a movie. The rain’s stopped. I’m sitting on the porch drinking scotch and looking at the clouds rolling in over the hills across the road and enjoying the quietness of it all. Anjali joins me and we spend the next few minutes holding hands and just thankful for being there.

Day 3: A window to the Skye

It’s 4:30 am and it’s already light outside. I’m up and staring out of the window when it hits me. The day is looking too fine to waste waiting for everyone to get up. I feel like running. So, by 5 am, I’m running along Loch Ness making my way back to Urquhart Castle. After yesterday’s downpour, the world looks all cleaned up and fresh. The cool breeze from the Loch, the sun hitting the mountain sides, the sheep out for an early graze, Urquhart Castle sitting alone pondering it’s history and me running and enjoying every bit of it. Perfect.

Back at the B&B, they are still sleeping. I wake them up and soon we are dressed and packed. After a nice “typical” Scottish breakfast of poached eggs with kippers on toast, we are ready to hit the road again. Today’s destination – to reach the Isle of Skye via the Kyle of Lochalsh – with enough time to hike around a bit.

Drumnadrochit to Kyle of Lochalsh...natural beauty, a road and us

So, we hit the road, again driving along the Loch Ness, cross Urquhart castle and then take a turn away from the Loch – now heading west – deeper into the countryside.

And, the landscape changes once again. The mountains are taller, a little farther and very different – more majestic and certainly far more beckoning. The valleys and the meadows that we cross are more lush and more green. We are going slow and every turn and every twist of the road brings out a different view of the place. We stop 20 times in the first 1 ½  hour – taking pictures and feasting our eyes. And, we are not even in Skye yet. Forget it, we are not even in the Highlands yet.

Entering the Highlands

Then suddenly we are. On a picture perfect day, we enter the Highlands and stop a million time to gawk at God’s creation. Many twists and turns later, crossing valleys and glens, now stopping at fewer places, we reach the Eileen Donan castle.

Eileen Donan castle

Apparently, it’s one of the only castles that is still furnished. We are tempted, but decide to give it a miss. There are many other sights to see and we certainly want to reach our destination with enough time to spare.

We reach Kyle of Lochalsh – a small, quaint, sleepy village and use the newly constructed Skye bridge to cross over into the Isle of Skye. The bridge takes us into the town of Kyleakin and we have lunch (traditional Haddock for me) there.

Isle of Skye from Kyle of Lochalsh

It rains when we are having lunch and clears up just as we are leaving (lucky us!). With a quick stop at an Indian restaurant to pick up paranthas for dinner, we are on our way again. The road is two lane now and as we climb up higher and higher, the drive becomes more and more beautiful. By now, we’ve decided not to stop every 5 minutes – though now I wish I had. Anyway, we are crossing a waterfall and since there are many cars parked there, we stop too and spend 20-30 minutes there.

A waterfall on the way. Mountains and water

Pranaya wants to hike upto the top of the waterfall. So we set out, but after a few minutes realize that it’s going to get tougher for Pranaya and so we turn back. In the meantime, Anjali and Gitika have got their feet wet in the stream. The only problem – shoes and socks were on the feet when this happened.

Shoes, socks and water do NOT mix

On the road again. Skirt a valley and stop at a roadside bar and grill for milk (for the kids. At a bar?) and coffee. On the road again.

Have to stop for photographs many time. On the road again. And, we are now at Portree – the capital of Skye. We now have a choice. Do we take the right fork, into the town and then beyond where we can go hiking? Or, do we take the left fork and find our B&B for a little R&R?

Wet socks and shoes win. We take the left fork and head north and then west looking for Tracy’s farm near the village of Edinbane (pronounce Ed-in-bane).  10 miles out, we get onto a narrow single lane rural road and then the tarred road simply vanishes and we are on a dirt track – crawling our way up a hill. On the top of the hill, overlooking the water is Tracy’s farm – rural and isolated.

Tracy's farm - The view from our window

We have 2 rooms this time – with a connecting door. Comfortable and spacious enough. We rest for a while, have tea, get to know Tracy a little bit better. We want to go down to the water and have our dinner there. Tracy tells us about Scotland’s trespassing laws. There are none. Everyone (or perhaps, no one) owns nature. It’s for everyone to enjoy. So, as long as one shuts (and latches) all gates, does not destroy anything and does not mess with the sheep, one can cut through any property – private or not.

So, with our dinner basket with us, we jump over a couple of fences, cross a  farm, a grazing field and reach the waterbody. Unfortunately, there’s no place to sit and eat. So, we head back, get into the car and start driving around. We find a picnic table on the side of a road.

Roadside Picnicking

But, we attract too many insects with our paranthas, so dinner is in the car. We go back to Portree – looking for some dessert. And, then take the right fork and drive for a while. We catch a glimpse of “Old Man of Storr” (which we should have been climbing today, had we been on time and not had wet shoes). Anyway, we turn back and drive to Tracy’s.

The view from our picnic table

The view on the window - Reflections

It’s been another tiring day. The kids are watching TV, Anjali is trying to read a book and I’m waiting for sunset. Which is to be at 10:30 pm that evening.

As the sun goes down over the hills and the water, the sky colours are gorgeous.

Every minute the colours change and I go berserk with my camera. I want the sunset to linger a little longer, just like I want to linger in Skye a little longer. The sun sets in a dazzling display of colourful hues and another day is over.

The sun sets on another day in Scotland

Sunset in Edinbane

Day 4: A Quirang full of arrows

I’m up at 4:30 again. It’s our last day in Scotland and we need to get to Glasgow in time to catch our flight. I’m feeling a bit sad (the trip was too short – when is it not?) and unsatisfied (never got to see Quirang). There’s always an option of driving via Quirang – but since no one is going to be up early and we want to take a ferry to cross onto the mainland as well as stop at Stirling Castle on our way to Glasgow, I know it’s not going to happen. There were too many things to do, too many arrows to shoot. I’d run out of time.

Or, did I? 15 minutes later, I was dressed and in the car. My objective: to get to Quirang and back before anyone got up. In that case, I will feel less guilty and a bit more satisfied and quite a bit more happy. 

Uig, Isle of Skye, Scotland

In 15 minutes I’m skirting the town of Uig. A fork in the road with the right one leading to Brogaig via Quirang. I take this and start climbing almost immediately. A series of quick switchbacks and suddenly I’m a few hundred feet up looking down at the town of Uig by the sea.

The climb eases out and it’s suddenly different. Hills on either side, fog rolling in and one single track road as far as the eye can see and leading to nowhere. I can’t see a single farm or house or person. Just me, my car and nature.

The road to Quirang

The hills are now closer and I can almost touch them. I have to stop and climb one of these hills. So, I do. I park on the side, pick up my camera and start climbing. 30 minutes of climbing and I’m almost at the top. I turn and see my car now looking like a toy. I continue to climb. A little ahead and I realize that what I thought was the top isn’t really. There’s more climbing yet to be done. By now the fog is really rolling in and visibility is very low. I have to turn back but not before a herd of sheep gives me a good long stare.

The car below on the road - the fog's rolling in

Back to the car, I’m conflicted. Was this Quirang? Is Quirang still some way away? If I turn back now, will I be walking away from something that’s just round the corner? Will I be back in time? So, I give myself a deadline. I’ll drive for no more than 5 minutes and then turn back.

In a couple of minutes, with the fog still rolling in, I come to a place where a few cars are parked and the road definitely starts descending. There’s a sign post that says Quirang.

Sheep at the edge of the Quirang ridge

On the right, as well as the left of the road, I can glimpse some rock formations. While the hill I climbed was moss ridden and light green, the grass here is dark green and the rocks blackish in color. While I can’t see much, whenever the fog thins out a bit, I can make out some hills and natural formations. Tracks lead into nowhere and disappear into the foggy hillsides. Somewhere out there, something beautiful is waiting to be explored.

By now, I’m very excited and very aware that my time’s run out. In the car, heading back, a thought starts taking shape.

I reach the farmhouse and run in, to wake up everybody. I tell them that I’ve just come back from the most amazing sight ever and that I would not be doing my duty, if I did not offer to take the children there. So, I tell them that there are 3 things to be done and we can now choose only 2. These are – drive via Quirang, take the ferry to the mainland and visit Stirling Castle. Or, as I tell the kids – choose 2 between “the most beautiful place that I’ve been to till date which needs to be seen to be believed”, “experience driving the car into a boat and cross over to the mainland” and “see one more historical castle”.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that the kids will behave as per their age. They do. They pick “The-seen-to-be-believed beautiful place” and “Ferry crossing”. I “reluctantly” accept their decision. I think Anjali knows, but then, I’m not looking at her.

Get ready, pack up, breakfast (I try another Scottish local dish – Black Pudding – Eww! Google it, if you really really want to know what it is.), load up the car and are ready to leave. Tracy gifts me a CD that she’s burned. A previous guest on an early morning walk had taken pictures of birds, animals and marine life at the shore near her farm and sent her a copy. Goodbyes and 30 minutes later, we are back at Quirang. 

The ridge - and the road cutting through it

With the fog now gone, it looks much more beautiful. The road really does start it’s descent at this point and in perhaps less than a mile reaches sea level. A closer look shows that we are standing on the edge of a cliff with a sharp drop in front. In fact, it’s a ridge. We can see the town of Brogaig far away and below us and the water beyond that. This ridge extends on both sides of the road. On the right, the edge of the ridge rises gently till it drops on the other side also. On the left, the gradient of the edge is gentler and in fact at some places drops. The top of the ridge is flattish with a trail cutting across it, leading into some rock formations in the far distance. The flattish top where we are now standing, is flanked by huge hills that start suddenly and look very beautiful.

The peaks of Quirang

It’s a joy to be here and we make the best use of it. We walk on the tracks, explore around, take pictures and enjoy being with each other and sharing this memorable experience. Dark clouds and wisps of fog make the whole place look more romantic. Thank God we didn’t miss this place and now that I’ve seen this place, I know that one day, I’ll be back to explore the Quirang ridge much more deeply.

A track leading into the Quirang peaks

With that promise, we are back in the car – this time surely and certainly starting our journey back to Glasgow to end this vacation.

Quirang

We descend very rapidly from the ridge and with one last view of the imposing ridge line, we skirt the towns of Brogaig and Staffin, drive by The Old Man of Storr and through the town of Portree and this time taking a slightly different route find ourselves on the way to a place called Armadale.

A final view of Quirang

The Old Man of Storr

On the way, we cross streams and lakes, hills and mountains, valleys and passes as well as waterfalls. We are now not stopping as much as we used to – need to make sure that we don’t miss the ferry.

And, we make it on time. The ferry is just about to pull in when we arrive at the Armadale ferry crossing point. While I get the car in the boarding line and buy tickets, Anjali and the kids organize lunch – sandwiches and salad to go.

The ferry pulls in and once everyone’s disembarked, it’s our turn. One by one, the cars drive onto the ferry into the holding lot in the basement. We park and scamper up to the upper levels. Under the bright sun, with the wind whipping our face, we eat our lunch on the outside patio on the ferry.

Crossing over to Mallaig

This is a novel experience for us. We’ve done quite a few boating trips and hopped on and off many a ferries. However, two things make this different. The first is driving a car into a ferry and crossing over. The second is the place. We’ve done lakes and some bigger water bodies. But this place is special. Mountains and hills all around us – bluish green in colour –  bright sunny day, cool winds coming in from the North sea, and the bay that we’re crossing – an extremely beautiful one.

The crossing will take 30-35 minutes. We are now relaxed. There’s no way we can speed up anything – there’s nowhere to rush to for the next half an hour or so. That will come later. We’re now a bit cold, so we go back inside and have hot tea listening to a group of Scots playing pipes.

On the ferry

At Mallaig,  we dock and drive out of the ferry are on our way again. There’s a lot of driving still left. Even though I know that we won’t have time to stop and savor the delights, I want to drive to Fort Williams, and then via Glencoe to Loch Lomond and then to Glasgow.

The drive from Mallaig to Fort Williams is uneventful. The drive itself is nice – we are now driving through mountainous terrain, with the mountains on one side and forests and sometimes farms on the other. There’s nothing much to see though there’s not much traffic on the road, so we really can and do enjoy the drive.

Suddenly, we are in Fort Williams. Built on the banks of a river, this is a small town. A quick tea and back on the road. We are now driving along the banks of the river, towards Oban. Just before Oban, we take a sharp left and are now on the way towards Glencoe.

Glencoe has two big things going for it. First, it’s a historical place with a major battle that took place here many years ago. Secondly, it’s home to the highest peak in the UK – Ben Nevis. Ben Nevis actually lords over Fort Williams, but Glencoe is nestled in the foothills of the same mountain range. Why did we not plan on spending more time here? I’m not sure. I guess, in my desire to see as much as possible of Scotland, this important landmark had to sit out. Perhaps, if we had not come via Quirang, we could have spent some more time here.

One of the many valleys that we crossed

As it so happened, on our last day, speeding to catch our flight, we had our first look of the Ben Nevis range and the peak when we were almost there. Why? Because it had started to rain earlier and as we approached Glencoe, it was a downpour. Foggy windshield, visibility near zero, trying to catch a glimpse of the imposing natural beauty. Suddenly, for a few minutes, the rain ceased up, the fog cleared and we had a view of the imposing mountain. And, before we could stop and take photographs, the fog came back, the rain started again and we had to continue on. Maybe next time.

Four days in the Scottish Highlands - the route

The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful. The weather cleared up, the terrain constantly changing, we stopped at Loch Lomond for a while and then the final drive to Glasgow. Tired but happy we are now back to reality. This has been a very heavy day. 2 trips to Quirang, the drive from Quirang to Mallaig through some beautiful valleys and along some pretty lakes, the ferry crossing, Fort Williams and the drive along the river, Glencoe, Ben Nevis and the finally the drive to Glasgow. In the process, we missed spending time at The Old Man of Storr, Ben Nevis, Loch Lomond and never did get to the Stirling Castle. We had too many arrows to shoot and simply ran out of time.

As I look back and wait for our flight to be called, I’m happy. 4 days were too short, but when one is having fun, any amount of time would be short. The important thing is that we did make it here, we did see and experience a lot and we did have fun. Very clearly, the Scottish Highlands left us (or rather we left them) feeling happy and high.

Scotland - we'll be back!!!

Much has been made about President Obama’s health care reform plans and what effects the administration’s cost-cuting concepts will have on physicians. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Democrats are waging a “quiet war” on specialists in favor of primary care doctors who cost less to train and use less expensive procedures and technology (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704471504574443472658898710.html).

Whether that’s accurate remains to be seen, but there are several medical device companies, including small caps, that are focused on providing services to primary care doctors as a key part of their growth strategy. If they can provide services for these physicians that will help them boost their revenues that will drive sales, is how the thinking goes.

It’s a tried and true method, as followers of small medical products and diagnostic services companies like Hayward, CA-based Cholestech (www.cholestech.com) surely remember. Cholestech was successful enough to be acquired by Waltham, MA-based Inverness Medical Innovations (NYSE: IMA, http://www.invernessmedical.com), a large (more than $3 billion market cap) developer and manufacturer of medical device products.

Among the small caps, companies like Poway, CA-based Digirad* (Nasdaq: DRAD, http://digirad.com) bring cardiac imaging services directly to the primary physician’s office, allowing the doctor to earn the imaging revenues rather than farming them out to a cardiologist or other specialist. Bothell, WA-based Cardiac Science* (Nasdaq: CSCX, http://www.cardiacscience.com ) manufacturers and sells cardiac monitoring devices, including the well-known stress testing equipment, directly to primary care physicians.

*Indicates Allen & Caron client

Montag 2.11.2009
Nachdem wir die  ”>Nacht über die Gelegenheit hatten unsere Schuhe & Jacke zu trocknen haben wir uns der herausforderung “Schottisches Frühstück” gestellt.
Das Buffet war sehr übersichtlich (1,5m breit - 50cm davon benötigte der Toaster). Es gab Toast (das Stückchen Butter für 2 Personen muss ich mal Fotographieren) und Marmelade.
Für den ersten Tag ganz ok, mal schauen wie lange wir das durchhalten.

Auf dem Weg zur Firma hatten wir leider ein kleines Problem mit einem Bus.
Nein es lag entgegen aller vermutungen NICHT am Linksverkehr noch an den Fahrkünsten meines Kollegen, der Busfahrer war einfach “gut drauf”.
 pre=”">Ihn hat es nicht gestört dass ein Bus beim abbiegen doch doch etwas mehr Platz benötigt wie ein PKW. Wir standen schon als der Bus begann abzubiegen, aber man muss dem Busfahrer zugute halten er hat es wenigstens durchgezogen. Nach dem Bums anhalten? Nee er hat erstmal die komplette Busseite ruiniert, dann hat er gebremst.

Hier ein paar Eindrücke aus Inverness (Schottland).
Lufthansa bietet seid 2009 als einzige Airline Direktflüge nach Inverness (ab Düsseldorf) an, die Maschine fliegt aber nur in den Sommermonaten Juni bis September und da scheinbar auch nur Samstags.
Kam also für uns nicht in Frage.

Es gibt nun die Möglichkeit nach London Heathrow zu fliegen, dort dann umzusteigen in eine Propellermaschine der FlyBe. Wir haben uns aber entschieden von Frankfurth nach Edinburgh zu fliegen (nur ab Frankfurth kommt man zumindest so weit in die Highlands) und dann den Rest mit dem Mietwagen zu fahren – 300km.

Sonntag 1.11.2009
Als wir in Edinburgh landeten regnete es in Strömen! Also ich persönlich würde Wolkenbruch dazu sagen. Die Mietwagen stationen sind in Inverness NICHT im Flughafen sondern auserhalb (ca 1km Fußmarsch) aber zum glück war der Weg größtenteils überdacht. Ok bis war dann in den Mietwagen steigen konnten waren die Schuhe durchweicht, die Socken mitsammt der Jacke nass (ich sagte ja Wolkenbruch).
Da es in Inverness relativ bald dunkel wird, konnte ich die “schönsten” Momente der Fahrt leider nicht festhalten – z.B. einige mal 10cm stehendes Wasser auf der Autobahn.
So gegen 22.00Uhr kamen wir dann auch endlich mal in Inverness im Hotel an.