Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye Tour
Day One –
Our tour departed from the Royal Mile in old town Edinburgh at 9AM sharp on a Saturday morning. Our guide looked a wee but dissheleved and we were debating whether he looked more like Gene Simmons or Slash, both in their 80’s hay day!
With our group all loaded on the bus we were away on our Scottish 3 day adventure. We were driving from Edinburgh to Portree on the Isle of Skye and it was going to be an eventful but long day on the bus.
It was quite a drive to the island but just amazing scenery, something I have never seen before, the mountains were incredible! We had a break at the famous Loch Ness, and stopped many places along the way for breaks and photo ops. I actually got goose bumps a few times!
Our last stop before heading onto the Isle of Skye was Eilean Donan Castle, it’s quite famous as movies have been made here, the one I remember is Maid of Honour.
We travelled to the Isle of Skye via bridge, it took about an hour from where we crossed at the bridge to Portree, our destination for the next 2 nights. We stayed and a lovely bed and breakfast the Rosebank Guest House, a short walk to the town square. Family run and the nicest people!
We walked into the square for supper and some entertainment as it was Saturaday night, we didn’t need to go far. First place we stopped was hopping and we stayed until closing, although I think we were the entertainment for some guys from Glasgow. One of them says, you’re Canadian? Are you a lumberjack? …seriously buddy that will really win the ladies over!
Day 2 –
After a late night at the pub the 9AM start time was a little rough for us 2 Canadian girls, but we didn’t let the others see us sweat! We toured the island and I really can’t discribe the beauty we saw, I will add pictures but unfortunately they do not do it justice. We did see where they are filming the next Star Wars, pretty neat.
Everyone on the tour was loosened up from most of us hanging out at the pub from the night before, we had some great people on the tour with us along with a few duds but that’s to be expected I guess!
We visited the MacLeod Castle and were able to go inside and tour around but no pictures allowed, MacLeod’s have lived in the castle for over 800 years, they have beautiful grounds as well.
The evening was not a late one, we had dinner and into the pub for a drink. We met a young guy from NYC, he was starting a solo hiking tour around Skye.
Day Three –
Another 9AM start time with and new tour guide, our rock star had a family emergency and we were left with a real keener, now this would have been great the first day but we kind of got use to Keith’s grunts and took a liking to his crankiness and YES for independence for Scotland signs all over our bus and his rockstar hair! Scot was our tour guide for the last day and he shows up in a kilt and lots of wee stories to tell along with music. I make fun but he was great, very different from Keith but we enjoyed all his music knowledge and he played it along with the stories he told.
We stopped at the Clan Donald Castle and museum, they had reference to Pictou County and the Ship Hector so I found that pretty cool.
Found out all these MacDonald’s and MacLeod’s have fought for centuries, not sure what over but maybe that’s why you’re hard pressed to go to a Pictou County beer garden without seeing a good scrap!
We sailed from the Isle of Skye by ferry to the mainland and caught the steam train to Fort William. Took about 2 hours by train, apparently this is the Harry Potter train, people were pretty fired up for it but I have know idea about Harry Potter but really enjoyed the experience! The bus picked us up in Fort William and we made out way back to Edinburgh.
I really enjoyed my first organized tour but I think I’d max out between 3-5 days at this stage of my life. But it was easy and no worrying about driving and directions. Met lots of fun people, Canada was represented well, a father and son from Victoria, B.C. And a couple from Saskatewan.
Great experience and one I will never forget, I love Scotland and it’s been a dream come true.
Filed under Nova Scotia, Scotland, Tour, Travel
Food Walk Tour Edinburgh
We met Alan, our food/walk tour guide and owner of Eat Walk Edinburgh at the Hotel Du Vin in Edinburgh for their afternoon tour. There was 7 in our group, a couple from Washington, D.C., a couple from Melbourne and their friend.
At the hotel, which has lots of history and a beautiful wine tasting room and cellar, we enjoyed oatmeal crusted herring with a tomato chow, it was lovely.
We left the hotel and walked for about 10-15 minutes and made a quick stop at a tasting room that sells olive oils and spirits. We each tried a shot of one of the liquors, the favourite was a rhubarb vodka, made by a farmer in Scotland. Neat spot!
For the main course we stopped at Calistoga, ” the California twist in Edinburgh”. We had our main course here of pork belly and mashed potato and paired with a red…
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Food Walk Tour Edinburgh
We met Alan, our food/walk tour guide and owner of Eat Walk Edinburgh at the Hotel Du Vin in Edinburgh for their afternoon tour. There was 7 in our group, a couple from Washington, D.C., a couple from Melbourne and their friend.
At the hotel, which has lots of history and a beautiful wine tasting room and cellar, we enjoyed oatmeal crusted herring with a tomato chow, it was lovely.
We left the hotel and walked for about 10-15 minutes and made a quick stop at a tasting room that sells olive oils and spirits. We each tried a shot of one of the liquors, the favourite was a rhubarb vodka, made by a farmer in Scotland. Neat spot!
For the main course we stopped at Calistoga, ” the California twist in Edinburgh”. We had our main course here of pork belly and mashed potato and paired with a red California wine. All wines are from California and we had a delicious red that was paired with our meal.
After the main we went to a private whiskey club, the Scottish Malt whiskey society. It was a highlight of the tour. Although we had to try haggis and it came with mashed potatoes (as most of my friends know, I can’t stand mashed potatoes) I did eat the haggis and turnip. Haggis wasn’t that bad but wouldn’t rush out and order it anytime soon or if ever! We had a malt whiskey that was 62%, maybe this is why it was the highlight of the tour.
The next stop was a French restaurant, Le Di Vin, we all shared a couple cheese boards and beautiful white wine. Lovely place and setting, the wine and cheese were excellent!
Our last stop was at Grillie Dhu for dessert, raspberry and cream, with a little whiskey mixed in, I swear they put that in everything here in Scotland, not that I mind!
The tour took in both the old and new town of Edinburgh, my 1st food walking tour and it will not be my last. Really enjoyed the small group and seeing the city this way. The couple from the U.S said they do a food walking tour wherever they travel, they raved about one in Greenwich Village in NYC.
Alan, our tour guide was exceptional. Very knowledgeable about the city with all it’s history and he stopped along the way to tell funny little stories about Edinburgh.
http://www.eatwalkedinburgh.co.uk
A few pictures:
Scotland Bound
It may be my Pictou County roots but the short few days I spent in Scotland a few years ago really gave me a great desire to return to this beautiful country.
Westjet offered introductory fares last winter for their upcoming 2014 summer/fall flights direct from St. John’s to Dublin. I’ve been in the travel business for quite a few years and have never seen a deal like this one to get you across the pond! My friend Lisa was on board for a trip and we booked and have been planning for quite some time. We arranged for a separate flight from Dublin to Edinburgh. Although she may dump her travel agent after this long layover in Dublin!
The flight from St. John’s to Dublin is only 4 hours 20 minutes with great connections from Halifax. I’ve heard all summer the flights were pretty near full and our flight only had one open seat. Great to see Westjet take on this new route and looks like they will be looking at doing next season but I’d guess the fares will not be as good as this 1st year, but hopefully still very competitive.
We’re starting off our journey in Edinburgh, complete with a food walking tour around the city. Then heading out on 3 day tour to the Isle of Skye and the Highlands. I’ve never done an organized tour before, other than work related. I’m very excited but also think a 3 day tour will suit me just fine for a first timer, I may be surprised and love the whole tour experience.
Looking forward to the next 10 days!
Filed under Travel
She’s Called Nova Scotia
Rita MacNeil seemed always to be playing in my Mom’s car, I was a teenager and really didn’t get the whole Rita craze of the 80’s, “flying on her own” was her theme song. Mom was a huge fan, and as it was her car she got to play it on every trip over the mountain to visit Nan, but as I’ve grown I became a Rita fan and really appreciate deep meaning of her songs.
One of my favourite’s – She’s called Nova Scotia, this to me is Nova Scotia, the province which I have a deep love.
My Nova Scotia is memories filled with the North Shore; the Sunrise Trail from Pictou to Pugwash. The shoreline is littered with cottages, villages and lots of unique spots to stop along the drive up the trail.
A few of my favourite summertime spots (I guess you can tell by this list that I’m a bit of a foodie!)
Before beginning in Pictou you better pick up one if those famous Pictou County pizzas, the best!!! My favourite is Ted’s in Stellarton, but to be honest they are all delicious.
Brule shore has a great bakery, which I always forget it is closed on Sunday and Monday.
http://www.countrybreadbasket.ca
Next stop is Tatamagoughe, beautiful village along the trail and has a few great spots to check out like the Chowder House, a beautiful pottery shop and a very unique art store.
Wallace has a great little restaurant Whirligigs. Their breakfast menu is great!
You can find some great golf courses as well, Brule Point Golf at Brule Shore is not going to make Score Golf cut for top 100 in Canada but it’s a great 9 hole course for average golfer, very casual and relaxed and right on the water. Take your bug spray through as they could carry you away depending on the day!
For the more serious golfer courses include Northumberland Links closer to Pugwash and the high end Fox Harbour.
Beautiful beaches and a few provincial parks along the way to enjoy the warm waters of the Northumberland Strait.
So walk through her green fields, Go down to the sea
The fortune in your eyes is more like a dream
She’s called Nova Scotia and she so makes you feel
You discovered a treasure no other has seen
Filed under Nova Scotia, Travel
Bluenose 5k – Just Giv’er
The bluenose 5k wasn’t on my radar until my Dad signed up to walk the 5k. I decided to sign up and walk with him and maybe even try to run. I knew I wasn’t ready to run an entire 5k but thought I could do 3-4k.
My 1st experience with any type of race and it was pretty amazing. It was a bit overwhelming at the starters line, such a crowd of people starting and couldn’t really figure how it would all work but once we got underway it was fine. It’s a bit of a buzz with all the people around, and the crowd cheering you on along the way is so fantastic. There was a band around the 2.5 mark and another one close to the 4k mark, gives you the push to finish strong.
Random thoughts at the start line:
Wish I’d brought a watch
Need to pee again!
What time is it?
Why are people taking knapsacks with them, this is just the 5k right?
Should I start out running or will I trip?
What time is it, I mean who doesn’t bring a watch to a race??
God what am I doing here?
I need a buddy here with me.
Jesus when does this start!
A couple of friends cheered me on along the route which was so amazing! I didn’t tell a lot of people about this because I wasn’t sure I’d run or not, but what I realize it really doesn’t matter just go out there and do your personal best. I even met up along the route with an old basketball pal, so great and we had a little chat and encouraged each other to continue.
All in all a great day and proud of my Dad for walking the 5k. We finished off the day with a celebratory steak dinner and plans for next year with a few more recruitments for our team!
My official chip time was 38:52.7. I did my best Ben Johnson sprint to finish under 40 minutes.
The Bluenose Marathon is a great event for all ages, well organized and something our city should be very proud of, the website:
Filed under Halifax, Nova Scotia, Running
In search of the runner’s high
March 17th seemed like one of the coldest mornings we had in Halifax this winter. I was driving to meet my friend Jennifer for our first run and the radio said it was -20 with the wind chill – I should mention it was 6AM and pitch black.
We’ve decided to meet 3x per week in the morning at her place and run around her neighbourhood. As I’m running the thoughts that go through my mind are really not fit to put in here (keeping it clean mom). No wonder every runner I come across has a look of pain on their face. Seriously, have you ever seen a happy runner? I can only imagine what I look like, I’m a bit of a drooler – yes that’s right folks I drool when I run or if I’m in the vicinity of a Caesar (the drink not the salad).
I’m trying to work my way up to a 5k run. Before I turned 40 I wanted to do a 10k but that has since come and gone. Now striving for a 5k by end of this summer…stay tuned, I could have down to 2k by Canada Day!
Recently, I had a great chat with my cousin who is an avid runner and has competed in a few triathlons. She started out the way I am and really struggled but I spoke with her about this and she gave me some great advice and inspiration to continue. Although she did tell me she doesn’t even like running, I was floored by this statement. Makes me wonder if there are any happy runners out there?
My curling team has kind of tossed the idea around of doing a 5k together. We usually do an outing every month during our off-season. I’m going to suggest an afternoon matinée at the lower deck and maybe run home, I don’t think they’ll go for it though.
Everybody says it gets easier and to keep with it, and I’ve yet to reach the runner’s high they all talk about, I don’t think I’ve run long enough in one stretch to reach it, but I can hardly wait!
Diggin’ deep for 5k…stay tuned for updates!
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