Scottish Highlands

Scottish Coast

After 90 days in Europe all non-Europeans must leave.  We knew we had to go into Schengen visa exile but decided since we were on this side of the pond we may as well go visit Scotland.  Our plan was to rent a car and do a two week road trip through the country starting in the highlands and eventually backtracking to Edinburgh.  We arrived in Edinburgh and picked up our rental car the next morning. Sadly, our timing in Edinburgh was not going to coincide with the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Fringe Festival.  Next time. 

Rental cottage in Strathcarron

 Quickly, we figured out a road trip may not be as simple as it seemed for us crazy Americans.  Not only do they drive on the wrong side of the road - but the drivers seat is also on the wrong side of the car!!  That does not seem like a big deal ... trust me, it is.  We have driven on the wrong side of the road before and you get used to it - but the car being backwards from what we are accustomed to - well that completely threw us off!!!  So before setting off into busy city traffic we thought it would be prudent to do some practice driving in the hotel parking lot... just to get used to the car.  Issues like shifting with the left hand, rather than the right.  We thought we were being wise and cautious and for that we were rewarded with a parking ticket by the hotel.  Apparently, they do not allow practice driving in a rather empty parking lot of the hotel Moxie...who knew?           

Heather

 We had rented a cottage in Strathcarron (in the highlands) which was about a five hour drive from Edinburgh.  For that long drive we were treated to picture perfect scenery.  Remote was the word that kept coming to mind - very, very remote.  And wild.  The heather was in bloom - a carpet of purple covering the mountains.  We were just in awe... taking in the stunning beauty of the highlands.

Highlands

The family that owned and rented their cottages own thousands of acres of land.  A throwback to the clan history of Scotland, I presume.  They have gardens on their property so magnificent that the royal family have visited.  We just couldn't get over how beautiful it was, there was a waterfall right outside our bedroom window!  And sheep... lots of sheep.

Home of the folks renting us the cabin

Can you imagine having this view every day?  Sure it rains alot but without the rain you would not have the lush, verdant landscape.  Always a trade off!

Baa, baa black sheep

 Every evening as they were putting the sheep up for the night I would watch this one black sheep among the white sheep.  One in every crowd - or so the story goes!  He usually did not get too close to the cottage but I did manage to get his picture, finally!
Strathcarron was our planned staging ground for visiting the Inner Hebrides.  We had an agenda that involved driving to the Isle of Skye nearly everyday.  Next up - the Isle of Skye.