By: Jean-Paul Courville
While briefly living in England, United Kingdom (UK) I took advantage of exploring Scotland. A country rich in history and culture, a place that fascinated me as a boy growing up in film, books, and documentaries.
The weather forecast for the next two weeks projected rain, rain, and more rain from the Northern parts of England into all of Scotland....welcome to the North I was told. A good road trip allows you to see more than what your "after trip" photographs might account for and the rain gave the countryside a medieval and almost time travel atmosphere while I was blessed with a full day of sunshine in the capital of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh;
I packed my day pack with water, rain gear, laced up my running shoes and departed at sunrise arriving back to my accommodations after sunset. I explored all on foot, the incredible Edinburgh Castle, Calton Hill, Holyrood Park, many local pubs, restaurants in old dungeons, I followed bag pipers thru old town, and wandered into new town and had the best of experiences. Edinburgh is a lovely city.
The Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness;
The legend of the "Loch Ness Monster" on television along with movies like "The Highlander" while a teenager in the 1980's of the USA made Scotland a throwback in time, a fantasy land only designed for fairy-tale novels or stories of the past. It was a surreal feeling to see a sign saying "welcome to Loch ness". I hiked in the Highlands, near Loch Ness, Inverness, and the Urquhart Castle overlooking the Loch.
Isle of Skye;
The Isle of Skye is a magical and desired location for anyone visiting Scotland. Skye is incredibly unique, full of hiking opportunities, beautiful waterfalls, fishing villages, and with the small quaint capital of Portree for local cuisine and shopping its a wonderful location to fulfill many desires.
My travels took me south thru Glasgow passing thru many beautiful wildernesses, mountains, streams, and small Scottish villages.
Bonus: Looking for Nessie "Its not Snowflake"
I just came across this and realized this is my Senior Drill Instructor from MCRD San Diego. 25 years later and still inspiring! Albeit a little less aggressively. Great to see you still getting after it man.