June 23, 2016 - Our Adventures Start

We decided to take a cab to Rabbies’ office to board our bus. We didn’t really want to be schlepping our bags across town at that hour of the morning. It was well worth the cost.

Our driver is Chris and he is quite a character – a real story teller. He is keeping up an ongoing patter about what we are passing and every bit of history he can think of. It took some getting used to be on the wrong side of the road and to go around roundabouts. We have 15 passengers and it appears it will be a good trip – everyone is quick to get in and out of the bus. M and I each took a single seat so we both have a window view which is great.

The Kelpies:

The Kelpies were our first stop and they were fascinating - huge horse heads. I also enjoyed watching the locks and watching a boat start its way through - the people were on their way to the sea, they said. You can see the Kelpies from the highway, or carriageway as the UK calls them - they are impressive even at a distance.

Stirling and the Battle of Bannockburn

Chris led us onto the battle field and told about Robert The Bruce and the battle which occurred here. The Scots love their history. The Battle started on June 23, 1314!

On 23 and 24 June 1314, Robert the Bruce faced King Edward II at Bannockburn, near Stirling. The Scots army was outnumbered almost three to one. Edward had more than 2000 battle-hardened knights to Bruce's 500 horsemen.

For such a peaceful place it was hard to believe it had been the site of such a battle. It was amazing the number of homes with solar panels so I asked about them. Apparently the government, a few years ago, were providing huge incentives for people to look at alternative heating sources so solar was being subsidized. 

Doune Castle, Callendar 

I am amazed at the skill of the early castle makers – ledges which jut out and are still in existence this many years ago.

Loch Lomond was a really cute little town where we had a nice lunch

Glencoe Woodland Walk - fantastic scenery with perfectly still lakes and wonderful views

Long day of driving during the day but Fort William provided room to walk around. Our B and B Host looked somewhat perplexed there were people in his house and was very bemused that the sink in our room didn't drain properly - "the girls didn't tell me that". We ate at the local hotel and it was a good meal. We then walked along the boardwalk then back into town and saw a highland band in the town square. 

We wandered around a bit more and found a grocery store where we bought some ice cream bars that hit the spot perfectly. As we were leaving, we realized there was a steam locomotive leaving the station by the store so we stood there and enjoyed watching it get running.