Kept meaning to blog about what we did on holiday, though the thought of what could potentially be a longish post has put me off... I will blog though, possibly some people care. :)

We went to a place called Croy, which is near Inverness (in Scotland) - a map is here if you want to see exactly where! We stayed in a cottage called The Bothy, a very neat and modern conversion with everything you could ever want - including a log burner...

On the way up we stopped at Wallfoot for the night, had a look at Hadrian's Wall. The place was fine, nothing amazing but quite comfortable. I'm glad we did stop halfway through the journey, it's a long way to the Highlands!

On Saturday 12th we arrived at Croy. I had a bit of a wander around, but we didn't feel like doing much by the time we got there.

Sunday 13th we headed off to the Black Isle, went to the Seal and Dolphin centre (basically a little hut) and drove around a bit.

Monday 14th we went to Spey Bay, to the Whale and Dolphin centre there. The weather was beautiful, blue skies and really warm. We didn't see any dolphins, even though we borrowed binoculars from the centre. We did learn about the largest ice house in Scotland (we had a tour) and also learnt about whales and dolphins...

Tuesday 15th we headed off to Loch Ness, where we went round the Loch Ness Centre, learning all about the various 'sightings' of the monster and how unlikely it is. It was a very cleverly done exhibition. And then we went round Urquhart Castle. On the way home we went to the Falls of Foyers, which weren't anywhere near as exciting as I thought they would be from the hype. I've visited better waterfalls in the Lake District and Wales. ;)

Wednesday 16th, another beautiful day, went to discover Cairngorm Mountain. We went up the funicular railway and enjoyed a lunch in the highest restaurant in the UK (at 1097m above sea level). Was disappointed by the camera obscura. On the way home we stopped at Lake Garten where some ospreys live (though sadly they had just left for Africa). It was beautiful though, even without the ospreys!

Thursday 17th went to Fort George, which was particularly poignant because the funeral of a Black Watch sergeant killed in Afghanistan was taking place. Bagpipes really are very mournful things. It was an experience, though I didn't feel we could look around while things were going on (seemed disrespectful) so spent a lot of time standing out of the way watching. It is an interesting fort, though, built after Culloden. After looking round we went to Culloden battlefield, which we walked round, but it was a very sad sort of place. We didn't go into the visitor's centre (cost £10 to get in) but did buy a book to learn more about it at home. I guess the battle had to take place, otherwise it would have meant our Civil War dragging on even longer, but I'm not totally well informed, so...

Friday 18th was the best day - we finally saw those elusive dolphins! We paid to go on a boat trip - went on this trip from Avoch. We were soaked by the spray when the drove quickly, but it didn't matter because we saw at least 10 different dolphins swimming around in the Moray Firth. Three or four were swimming in front of a container ship (apparently they like to play with the bigger ships). Our boat was too small to be interesting. :) We also went to Beauly Priory and the Beauly Gallery and Kirk Coffee Shop - a place full of interesting things and very good coffee...

Saturday 19th we headed off back south. Stopped overnight at Tillmouth Park Hotel, which was easily the poshest place I've ever stayed at! It's a Grade 2 listed house in parkland with a big castley folly in the distance. Brilliant. Very posh dinner, too, did feel a little out of place! I'm not use to being waited on. Rob had haddock and poached eggs for breakfast, it was that posh. :)

Arrived back in Leicester on Sunday 20th, tired after the long drive and kind of glad to be back, though looking at lots of different things (especially dolphins and mountains) was fun.

posted by Fiery Fred @ 5:10 PM