What’s a visit to Scotland without a trip to the Highlands! Thanks to the Rabbie’s Tours itinerary, we were able to cover a decent bit of ground in 3 days.
Stay
Our base technically was Portree, where we stayed for two nights at the Pier Hotel, run by a very homely Effie and family. The place is right next to the water, and less than 5 minutes walk from the town square. The building, Effie told us while making us breakfast, was more than 200 years old. But for a small stay, it’ll do just fine.
The one on the top left was our room. That meant a good view of the water.The little village of Portree. There were plenty of eating/drinking, and enough shopping options for us to be charmed.The best viewpoint in Portree, IMO. You can see Pier Hotel down by the water.When we were about to say goodbye, Portree said good morning! This was a beautiful sunrise, and as is usual, impossible to really capture on camera.
See/Do
I think one of the big reasons this tour became a highlight of our vacation was Sean (whom James Bond is named after :D) and our amazing group of a dozen folks (Julia, Chelsea, Rachel, Tudor..) from different parts of the world – Germany, US, Romania, Japan, Australia… Watching the England v Wales match in a Scottish pub with this group was an absolute highlight. This has given us a benchmark for the kind of tours we would like to do in future.
After leaving Edinburgh, we passed Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, and Doune Castle before stopping at Callander for pies and coffee.
Loch Lubnaig, which was amazing to look at, and freezing, though we still had campers going for practically skinny dips! Very WTF.The landscape reminded me of the Norwegian fjordsNow I realise why people try to name a place ‘Scotland of x’. The meadows are sigh…The colours started changing once we neared Glencoe and the Three SistersGlencoe is also the homeland of James Bond. The turf house at the Glencoe Visitor Centre, an installation that gives an idea of the life here 200-300 years ago.Heilen Coo, or the Highland Cow couldn’t care less about hoomansQuiraing PassIn addition to the Quiraing, we stopped at a bunch of breathtaking views.Those floating structures are salmon farming Kilt Rock, but we were excited by the rainbow! This also close to Staffin, whose beach has dinosaur footprints! Fairy Glen, which really lives up to its name with the chimney and house shapes.Neist Point is awe-inspiringIf there is enough daylight, you can walk 30 mins and get some fantastic viewsLeaving Portree, catching the Five Sisters of Kintail, and the reflections in the puddle.Eilean Donan CastleThe evening view when we passed it on the way to PortreeLoch Ness was all mist when we reached thereThe mist cleared, but no sign of Nessie
Eat/Drink
A distillery visit – Dalwhinnie, where we had a custom Scotch and chocolate tasting. At Dulse & Brose in Portree, where D and I had local gin and beer respectivelyA Charcuterie Board including local venisonD went for wine, while I continued on the local Skye beer at Cuchullin. We had also visited their brewery earlier in the day. Fish & Chips, finallySalmon, for DD had Strongbow Cider for company as we watched England v WalesChicken Breast @ Antlers Bar and Grill, The Portree Hotel. The place had an old-world charm that we absolutely loved. While I ate the duck, I tried the Talisker Skye too!
