We had such a wonderful time! Each moment seemed better than the next. Edinburgh was so fun and beautiful. I could see myself taking up residence there – the people, the food, and the atmosphere was unforgettable. Our car rental was good, although I packed too much and we needed to upgrade to a larger vehicle to accommodate the three of us and the luggage. Europeans are always more frugally fashionable in their packing!
Portree and the surrounding vistas will stay with me forever. We did some super hikes (I was winded much of the time – the attractions, such as the Old Man of Storr, look way closer than they actually are), and the driving was really something on those one lane roads! Sheep were the least of our worries, and I cannot imagine anyone traversing this area in the height of the tourist season – must be an impossible, scary bottleneck. Even the parking lot for the Fairy Pools (amazing) was full and it was only the first week of the season. Crazy beautiful! Our hotel in Portree had the loveliest view which sported what I’m certain is the only palm tree in all of Scotland.
I meandered around Inverness while the boys went fly fishing with a gentleman who owned property there. It was cold and rainy and one of those adventures that was more fun but cold and rainy. They did enjoy it, one of those bonding experiences. Glad I was walking along the river, not in it! It was cold and rainy a lot of the time, and it is Scotland, so we were not disappointed. I am amazed at how the weather shifts like quicksilver – raining, then wind, then sun, then hail, all in the space of 20 minutes!
I cannot say enough about the Scottish people. Friendly, grounded, intelligent and generous with their time – that’s what I experienced everywhere I went. I sort of got deliberately lost in Edinburgh, straying off the Royal Mile to hunt down the place where some fun artwork on greeting cards I discovered in Fort William was reprinted. Despite maps, I made several wrong turns on my 3+ mile jaunt, and everyone was helpful and kind – real. They own cell phones, but it doesn’t seem to me that their cell phones own them.
As you can tell, it was a great trip. Julie, thank you so much for the guidance and the once-in-a-lifetime trip you arranged for us. –Carolyn, June 2016
