September 2018 – Claire's Blog

30th September 201810th August 2021

Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The SeaSide

Sunday 30th September

After several days of early starts and long drives today was a day for a rest.

It was first chance to see the house in daylight and discovered it is not as remote as we thought when drawing the curtains to see a caravan park and what classes as a main road this way.

View of the beach from one of the bedroom windows

The morning was spent taking photo’s from camera to the laptop and have a look through before a late lunch thanks to our Tesco’s shop in Dingwall.

After lunch we decided to try and find the way to the beach between showers. Gavin looked up the path and putting on all our layers we set off. As we walked down the road I notices a niggle of a sore throat – oh no!

The walk wasn’t too far, taking about 10 minutes. It was very windy down on the beach and it wasn’t long before the rain started again. It is a lovely sandy beach (called Farr Beach) and the waves were huge.

As the rain started to come down harder we headed back to the house, half way back the rain stopped and the sun came out!

For dinner today being a Sunday I made a roast chicken dinner, which we ate while watching the F1 highlights.

By the time we went up to bed my throat was really sore and a cold was in bloom 🙁

29th September 201810th August 2021

Home Sweet Home

Saturday 29th September – distance travelled 167 miles

Woke up this morning to heavy rain, another lovely breakfast at the lodge before checking out and squeezing everything into the car.

The plan was to make out first stop at the Nevis Range and take a gondola to the top, it was so misty it didn’t look a good option, we went anyway and found the gondolas were not running due to the high winds.

So we headed off to our second stop, the commando memorial at Spean Bridge, the grey day and drizzle seemed to give it added meaning, this was a quick 10 minute stop due to the conditions.

Next on the agenda was Fort Augustus for some lunch, it was sunny but cold when we arrived, but by the time we had parked and got to the canal and locks the rain had started again. We both had warming Tomato, Vegetable and Lentil soup and as we headed back out into the now heavier rain we got to see the final lock gate and road open onto Loch Ness.

Our next stop was a short distance away at Invermoriston Falls, the rain had eased off and we had a walk through the forest to see the falls and summer house. Unsurprisingly the rain started again as we got back to the car.

A couple of stops to view Loch Lochy and Loch Ness later and we came to Dingwall where we stocked up at Tesco for the week. It was 5.30 by now so a visit to the cafe for tea was a must.

Gavin took over the driving from Dingwall, Tom Tom said 83 miles, 2 1/2 hours to go! It actually took longer as 50 of those miles were on a single track road, tricky in the fading light and we had to make stops firstly for Stags in the road and then again for cows in the road!

We arrived at Rhianchatel House, our home for the next week, at 9pm, quickly unloaded the car and got our bearings before some crumpets and bed.

28th September 20189th August 2021

All aboard

Friday 28th September

Today we were up early despite a broken nights sleep, after a lovely breakfast we headed out just after 9am for Fort William and our day trip to Mallaig on the Jacobite train.

The train left Fort William at 10.15, our seats were in a first class “Harry Potter” style carriage unfortunately not by a window. The scenery was amazing despite the patches of drizzle. After crossing the Glenfinnian Viaduct there was a 25 minute stop at Glenfinnian before arriving in Mallaig at 2.25.

We had a stroll to see Mallaig harbour then along the water to view the small isles, Rum and Eigg (as well as the south of Skye). Which were all shrouded in mist. After a fish and chip lunch (and Skye ale for Gavin) we were back on the Jacobite for 14.10 to head back to Fort William.

In the evening we went to the sea salt cafe restaurant in Onich, it had a lovely view out over Loch Linnie. Spagetti Napoli was my choice, Mia Casa for Gavin and both of us had sticky toffee pudding for desert.

27th September 20189th August 2021

Across The Border

Thursday 27th September – distance travelled 235 miles

Breakfast was not included with the apartment so Gavin started the day with a couple of fruit scones we had brought with us while I had almond croissants.

We got under way about 9:20am with me behind the wheel and headed up the motorway, with an unplanned stop at Teabay services where Gavin brought some cheese at the farm shop and we stretched our legs to see the ducks before topping up with petrol.

Amusement was had on the motorway just after crossing the boarder into Scotland in the form of a lorry with a cover that looked like a short skirt flapping in the wind – maybe you needed to be there but it certainly made us giggle.

Our lunch stop today was Balloch House in Balloch on the south end of Loch Lomond. I went for the cod fish fingers (very salty) with chunky chips, Gavin tried the lentil soup with chunky chips too. After lunch we took a stroll along the loch side and Gavin took over driving duties.

We made a photo stops at Firkin Point on Loch Lomond which was a beautiful spot, and at Tarbert.

Before driving through Glen Coe which required multiple stops as it is so stunning even in the drizzle and cold.

Gavin at The Meeting of the Three Waters, Glen Coe

Me at The Meeting of the Three Waters, Glen Coe

It was 6pm when we arrived at Creag Mhor Lodge in Onich on Loch Linnie where we are staying for two nights.

Was a long day today and we didn’t want to go back out for dinner (no restaurant at lodge) so we stuck with bar snacks, Cheese burger minus the cheese for Gavin and a BLT for me.

26th September 20189th August 2021

Let The Holiday Begin!

Wednesday 26th September – distance travelled 215 miles

After a half day at work, loaded up the car and headed north. We stopped twice for comfort breaks, Gavin drove first and I took over for the second half.

We stayed at Romney’s Apartments in Kendal overnight, a lovely 2 bedroom apartment with lounge and kitchen but rather cramped toilet.

For dinner we went to the gastro pub by the apartment. It was amazing, Gavin has steak and ale pie while I had cumberland sausage in a giant yorkshire pudding for desert I had thunder & lightning ice cream (had toffee pieces in it) while Gavin had some pear strudel.