The highland tour 2

The highland trip wouldn’t be perfect without the visit to the lochs. ‘Loch’ is another term for lakes in Scotland. Well, instead of went to the Famous Loch Ness, the lake which the myth of bizarre sea creature took place, we went to another Loch, known as Loch Lamond. The lake is so wide that without viewing from the top of the mountain, you might mistook it as the shore which open to the sea. We took some marvelous pictures on the top of the hill with the loch down below our feet.

We were so absorbed in the stunning scenery and as if it’s not exciting enough, we actually end up……… lost in the wood. There was no ending to the jungle treks and we have no choice but to keep walking the trail until it leads us to some river banks, and eventually to the main road. Luckily Mr Tour Guide did came back and searched for us and he claimed that he will never leave the ladies behind. Gosh, what an exciting incident.

The last stop was the Glengoyne whisky distillery. It is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland. First, we attended a short video tour which briefly explained the history of the Glengoyne whisky factory while we were treated with a shot of single highland malt Scotch whisky. It amazed me that this ‘awful’ spirited tasted drink actually made up of just water, barley and yeast. Next, we went around the factory to view their massive fermentation tanks and distillation equipment, although it wasn’t really that interesting but it was indeed informative.

By the way the guy with its back shown to the camera in the picture is none other than our Mr tour guide.

Well, that marked the end of our highland trip, but before we left, we took a nice group picture with the rest of the team members. Although there arent that much of interaction among the group members due to the language barrier (most of them were from Europe countries), but they are certainly very friendly and all of us enjoyed ourselves to the fullest.

The highland tour 1

It was the highland tour that gave us the chance to experience the Scotland’s historical story to the full. On the second day of our trip, we had decided to go for a 1 day highland tour for the price of ++£20 per person. The highland tour covered the famous Stirling castle, Loch Lamond and Glangoyne Scots whisky distillery.

Throughout the highland tour, we were entertained by the tour guide. He is a young Scottish lad, with shoulder-long hair and great humor. We heard the stories about William Wallace immortalized in the film ‘Braveheart’, but the true story behind the freedom fighter was actually related to the legendary Robin Hood. Mr tour guide talked with such a zest and enthusiasm that it makes my adrenaline run wild while listen to the brave stories of the freedom fighters such as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

Mr Tour guide claimed that there are 3 things that must be done during the scotland visit. First, eat their famous local delicacies, Haggis (shown in the picture beside which taken from wikipedia). When i first know what it really was, it makes me felt like puking. Basically, it is made with ingredients such as sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver, and lungs), minced with spices, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach. We even found some weird looking haggis keychain which looks like a pouch (Intestine), yucks!!! According to the history, the scottish do in such a way as the ingrediants which is conviniently packaged in a sheep's stomach allowing for easy transportation and last long during the journey.Well, i wasnt sure how it actually tasted cuz i only have a small bite, but Jiavern should know better than me as she finish the whole portion.

The second thing to do during the Scotland trip is to drink their very own scotch whisky while shouted 'Slaintemhath’. For Chinese, we might be familiar with ‘YUM SENGGGGG’ during the drinking session in those boring wedding reception dinner. English might be familiar with ‘cheers’, But for Scottish, they have a unique gealic term-‘Slaintemhath’ which means Good health.

And the last but not list, is to give a kiss to the Mr Tour guide. what a cheeky tour guide we had. (^.^)

On our way we passed by the Linlithgow palace where Mary the Scots was born. According to Mr tour guide, the story of Mary the Scots was the saddest in the history of scotland. She was one of the most fascinating and controversial monarchs of 16th century Europe. She lacked the political skills to rule successfully in Scotland which was mainly due to her bizzare love relationship. Her second and third marriage was unpopular and ended in murder and scandal. She fled to England in 1568, hoping for the help of her cousin, Elizabeth I, the famous English queen. However, the English queen, who feared Catholic plotting on Mary's behalf, and she end up imprisoned for the next nineteen years. She was executed in 1587, only 44 years old, by orders of the English government. However, the most interesting fact is that in 1603, upon Elizabeth's death, Mary's son became king of England as James I as he the only heir that left in the royal family.

It really made me amazed that what kind of story that hidden behind those solid, massive walls of the castle. Imagine centuries ago, how the blood had sheered and all these exciting historical story we hear today really happened. The realization moved me in an undescribable way.

Stirling Castle was said to be the grandest of all Scottish castle. Instead of going in for a rush visit inside the castle, we decided to spent the time wandering around and admire the scenery from the esplanade. The scenery from above was simply stunning. The hills and the sky were like inches away, and it feels like I never been so close to the nature before.

After that, we stopped for lunch at one small café, that’s when we have the chance to see the most amazing creature in the whole world. Hemish- the highland cow. I bought a pack of vegetables which consist of some carrots and potatoes to feed the creature. The massively big creature was surprisingly very tame and friendly. He even licked my palm and leave me a handful of saliva as the welcoming present.

To be continue....

the first step

I guess the experience of the first step is always unforgettable. I came to realized later that never again, at any other point in the same journey, I will have this much to gain. Its natural for one to feel vulnerable when just starting out on a new journey, especially when there weren't that much of experience and preparation before hand. In fact, I’m only able to sleep for 4 hours the day before the travel and I wasn’t really sure that if I had brought all the travel accessories and enough clothes. However, travel with housemates somehow makes me felt more secure I think.

Furthermore, Scotland was a ‘safe’ target to start with, the Scotts speak the same language (although they do speak an ancient language called Gaelic), eat the same English-like food (bread and steak, what else?) and using the same currency, so there are less possibilities of the occurrence of the ‘unexpected incident’. After all, it may seem that I don’t have much to lose as well, sometimes the unexpected can even adds excitement to the trip, a serendipity perhaps.

5/10 morning. The trip started with the 90 mins train travel from Newcastle to Edinburgh, Scotland. The scenery along the journey was absolutely stunning, with the wide open fields, edgy cliffs and seashore. After we stepped out from the station, the first scenery came into my view is some big department stores and elegant building, well typical city view, that was my first impression. However, the BIG surprise came when i turned around, the opposite side is a massively packed old town, with the castle standing proud over the hills. i cant suppressed the adrenaline running through my veins and the excitment that treatening to jump out from my chest. awestruck i am.


It was later that i finally understand that Edinburgh city is divided into two parts, new town and old town, connected by a few bridges. The one that i am standing on is called the waverley bridge. Edinburgh's elegant Georgian New town is in stark contrast to the compact, narrow closes of the old town. Personally, i think the old town is more beautiful than the new town as it preserve the original scent of the Scotland.

The first destination was our hostel- caledonian backpackers. it was really cheap with only £8 for b&b per night. The hostel itself was a Georgian style building beside the corner of the busy edinburgh street. This hostel is probably tries hard to maintain its ethnicity and character as there are some odd, gothic painting all around the walls of the building. Our excitement was washed away by horror when we see some guys sitting inside the dorm, it was then struck us hard that the dorm that we booked is actually a mixed dorm. i wasn't totally satisfied with such arrangement but i have no one to blame but myself, well, i guess if you don't mind sharing a room with some foreign people from all over the world then it do has a communal-like atmosphere with colorful cultural diversities (yeah, i am comforting myself).

To be continue.........