Week 2

Tuesday we went on a cruise around Loch Linneh with a skipper who loved numbers even more than I do and narrated about the timber and fishing industries, history of the Highlands, and nature.  Our Fort William hotel room had a great view of the loch (which I learned is Scottish for a body of water, whether salt or fresh.)

Wednesday we hiked up and around a hill above Fort William, next to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland.  BTW, Ben is Scottish for mountain, which I’ll be sure to explain to my nephew Ben.  Great views and the several changes in topography on the loop.  After dinner we rented some electric bikes and followed a path out of town that went along a logging road.  Still instinctive for me to ride to the right, so glad I’m not driving a car.  And we mailed home things we didn’t need (e.g., small roller suitcase, jeans, belt.) 

Thursday I bought a belt…  We took a bus to Oban, a little further south on the west coast.  About the same size town.  The host at the Whisky Vault Bar Hotel said the rooms in town were 90% full so we lucked out getting a good place.  We sampled some whisky, which John liked more than Karen did.  The descriptions of the drinks were really detailed, none of which I remember, except one had no peat and the other did.  Something about casks and ingredients.

Friday we took a tour with a ferry to the island of Mull, a bus across it, then a boat to Staffa, which is a bizarre outcropping about the size of a football stadium formed by volcanoes.  The oddest, coolest part are the hexagonal columns about 2 feet wide and look like oversized part in a toy building set.  There's also a cave.  In the US we would have had to sign waivers acknowledging we could die - not dangerous but not idiot proof.  And Iona, which has the ruins on an abbey from 13^th century.  We made friends with Malcolm, Francoise, and Colleen, from western France.  So we might add La Rochelle to our itinerary. 

Saturday we rented bikes (manual, not electric) and learned when a Scot says “it’s a bit hilly to start” it means you’ve got some real climbs in your future.  But we made it over the pass and down the other side to a bayside beach and got better at pulling off to the side when cars came along the single-track road.

Sunday was a train to Bollach, at the edge of Loch Lomond.  The smallest town so far, only 45 minutes from Glasgow.  The percentage of tourists here is much smaller, at least foreign tourists.