Rugged Coastline, Lochs and Adventure
Roaming in the gloaming the rugged shoreline of Eastern Scotland, upward and onward our travels continue.
13th October 1978
Yup Friday the 13th some are superstitious about, this one started out arguing with the landlord who took money for the night then did not unlock ablutions. This followed by garage attendant in Dunbar possibly not understanding our English to top-up the Kombi's oil, who would have thought an oil funnel would end up an elaborate item? Well it did....
Edinburgh had an enjoyable slow stroll from shop to shop down the Royal Mile, then explored the 900 year old castle. Both charming and harrowing depending on where you went. Photo's not in sequence.
Archives to honour dead over all wars British were involved in, history is held with fascinating heraldry of the times, excellent record keeping.
Much to see and do within the castle walls, set aside between three to four hours to enjoy Portcullis Gate, Argyle Battery, Lang Stairs, Prisons of War Exhibition and National War Museum along with some amazing old buildings of interest.
Never on a Sunday but every other day plan to watch the one o'clock gun being fired, you can set your clock to it! As a signal to us to make a move to Perth.
Back to Friday the 13th, halfway to Perth we realized it was a Friday, money was needed, retraced our way back into Edinburgh to find Thomas Cook (the only ones available/open to cash in travelers checks/cheques).
We became extremely familiar with the Firth of Forth crossing three times hither and tither to collect some money, each time going through a Toll, being charged 15p (Fifteen Pence) at the time.
Arrived in Perth around 19h00 (7pm) after shopping at a lovely food store which stayed open till 20h00 (something not familiar to us) we found the campsite in the town. Campsite was surrounded by well established trees with a small waterfall, lovely out in nature!
14th October 1978
Drive from Perth to Braemar situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park was most pleasant start into mountains through valleys and woodlands, extremely picturesque small town.
Across we went to Aberdeen coastal village, along the way between Oldmeldrum and Ellon stopped at the gardens of Pitmedden, well worth the deviation to see this.
Pitmedden Gardens a National Trust for Scotland in rural North-East Aberdeenshire, mixed woodland, farmland and stunning flower gardens this garden exuded beauty, being out of season we explored this on our own.
Continued to Rosehearty (Scottish Gaelic: Ros Abhartaich) where family friends now live, had recently moved back from residing in Swaziland. Entering the town people were peeking out between the curtains at strangers arriving, stopped at local convenience store to ask directions to "Cairnhill" Rosehearty. An inherited barn they were converting to live in with main homestead having burned down.
Entering the lane one black and one white scottie dogs ran out to bark, ambling further along met by what were obviously African dogs now re-homed, just as defensive and boisterous as we know dogs to be. Had an exceptionally pleasant evening in front of an open heath fire for warmth before bidding good night and sleeping in the Kombi camper on the property.
15th October 1978
Four of us went out on a Sunday morning drive after breakfast (thank goodness for keeping a daily diary).
Visited Aberdour Beach where we spent a wonderful time crawling through 'hanging rocks', arches and caves during low tide, a spectacular part of Scotland.
Then went passed their North Sea Gas Plant and Wireless area near Peterhead driving past their high security jail, further along we saw a couple more 'hanging rocks'. to explore.
Drive took us to small fishing village of Pennan, we did not go down into the village on the steep winding road but stopped above and stretched our legs, tiny village looked like only six or seven houses.
(Since learned, book/film written/directed by Bill Forsyth, music covered by musician
Mark Knopfler - Going Home directly related to this small hidden gem.)
Headed back to Rosehearty to the Davron Hotel to enjoy a hearty lunch, meeting the local folk. Gaelic was spoken prior to our being introduced, then English for our convenience, exceptionally tight knit seaside community where we shared comfortably with views out the window of the small harbour, people walking along the waterfront enjoying their Sunday.
Bidding farewell to our friends back at the farm, thanking them for the wonderful time we spent with them and promising to send their wishes to my Godfather and their family when back in South Africa.
Who knows what this vehicle is used for?....
Journeyed on to Inverness (we will come back here), unable to find a caravan park we spent the night on the side of the road just off the Beauly Firth toward Beauly.
16th October 1978
Traveled up to Lairg via Invergordon and Bonar Bridge, drive was purely for scenery because we could..., onto Ullapool through mountains and passed along lochs.
Spent the afternoon roaming the streets and shops of Ullapool (purchased Stewart tartan cap for hubby), these towns were all unique, quaint, interesting, yes I now regret digital camera's were not available back then.
Needless wherever I am able to find more information I will drop a link for you to decide, Ullapool superb scenery, we were here to explore, unfortunately never enough time to linger longer, which I now regret!
Journey down via Strathpeffer many miles alongside Loch Broom, an incredible drive seeing the first fall of snow starting on the higher peaks. Finding a closed caravan park decided to spend the night over at Strathpeffer, an old spa town surrounded by wooded hills to enjoy the views.
17th October 1978
Had most of the day in sunshine, not much left to the imagination as to why it had been so cold, ambling back to Inverness (purest form of English spoken found here), explored the town, did shopping for food.
Taking A82 travelled half an hour to Urquhart Castle, a ruin that sits beside Loch Ness, plenty of history and beauty here, with possible sighting of Nessie renowned Loch Ness monster. Loch Lochy with snow capped mountains right alongside were something to be marveled at, no sight on Nessie...
Remaining on the A82 down to Spean Bridge across A86 to Dalwhinnie with Whisky Distillery not a tasting test trip sorry, onto Pitlochry a day of scenic driving again!
Pitlochry my turn at shopping for spoilers after an exceptional tea, found myself an amazing Gartmorn scarf, cap and mittens (70% mohair, 30 % wool) appeared I would need to wear them soon enough.
Info on Gartmorn Label: The owner of the Clock Mill in Tillicoultry, Duncan Sinclair, who manufactured woollen goods such as head squares and scarves, was passionate about his trade.
He designed patterns, did warp and weft filling, warping, weaving, and loom turning using the two gas-operated looms, producing tweeds and tartans for skirts and kilts.
Choosing a name for his products was important and he decided on the Gartmorn label. Source
Overnight in Faskally caravan park just outside town, that evening planned finances for our entire stay, had to do this when so far away from home!
18th October 1978
Spent the morning strolling enjoying sights and sounds of Pitlochy between the river, wooded area, plenty to do in this region.
Known for it Scottish Baronial architecture, ornate building fascias spending time walking quaint village most enjoyable. We settled down to a Scottish pizza pie for lunch before departing to Ardgartan.
Stopped off to enjoy the Falls of Dochart to stretch the legs, do a little exploring before carrying on.
Twisting roads, stone bridges, forests and so much water, truly a feast for the eyes!
Camped alongside the Firth of Clyde in the Argyll Forest Park after some pleasant walking settled down for the night.
19th October 1978
Had a pleasant drive down as far as Dumbarton, Old Kilpatrick opting to take A898 avoiding large cities, hugging the River Clyde to Greenock, alongside Firth of Clyde to Ayr uninteresting landscape and full of industry. Drive from Ayr to Castle Douglas then toward Dumfries more hills and enjoyable panoramic views.
Stayed the night at Hoddom Castle Caravan Park near Ecciefechan. Ablutions in old stables were clean, walked down avenue of trees to the Hoddom Bridge, we shared the whole space with nobody!
Absolute bliss, however being out of season did have some drawbacks at the time, no one to ask about specific sights, much more available to plan with internet available today.
Slendour and beauty abound, one cannot put into words the wild beauty of Scotland from rough rugged mountains, wild seas, quiet lochs, forests dotted quaint little towns.
So comes the end of Scotland, next time we will visit the Lake District in England, then into Wales, back to England ending off this British tour. Thanks for driving along with me in an old Kombi taking in sights and sounds.
(I use a diary from the time, map that was marked each day while traveling along with photograph album where notes have been added to try stay to exact places. My memory is not that goood!
European Part of Tour
Travel Diary 1978 - Part 1 - Planning
Travel Diary 1978 - Part 2 - Europe
Travel Diary 1978 - Part 3 - Germany - Denmark - Sweden - Norway
Travel Diary 1978 - Part 4 - Denmark - Germany - Switzerland - Austria
Travel Diary 1978 - Part 5 - Italy - France - Britain
Britain - Kombi Camper
East Coast - England
Photographs originally from film camera, converted in early 2000's to digital so please excuse the age, memories are wrapped up here!
**Thought for Today: “It feels good to be lost in the right direction” – Unknown
We all have them hidden away somewhere, now joining in #blockchainmemoryproject host
