Highland Fling

From a wharf beside the dockyard where the Titanic was built, we drove on to a ferry boat bound for Scotland.  Belfast was grey and drizzly, however we sailed into fine weather and the three hour crossing was calm.

Our first destination was St Andrews on Scotland's east coast.  Funny to have seen both east and west coast of this country in just a few hours.  St Andrews was a delightful couple of days, as senor's brother and sister-in-law had generously invited us to share their holiday in the Kingdom of Fife.  St Andrews has Scotland's oldest university, the remains of what was once it's largest cathedral, and probably the world's oldest golf course. An impressive combination for a small town.  The girls went shopping, the boys went to the pub, and together we drove to nearby fishing villages.  We ate at the local pub and from the hill overlooking St Andrews watched rehearsals for the next day's annual Leuchar's Air Show.  It was a wonderful two days and it passed far too quickly.

From St Andrews we headed north and as we approached Pitlochry, thinking about stopping for a coffee break, we noticed signs advertising that the Pitlochry Annual Highland Games was being held on Saturday 10 September.  It's sometimes difficult to keep track of the date (and the day) while on holidays, however when we arrived to see the centre of Pitlochry a-sway with kilts we knew that today was 10 September!  Light rain was falling and we asked in the cafe if the Highland Games would continue in the rain. "Ach, we're Scots, no matter what the weather, the Highland Games will never be cancelled!".  There was no decision, our coffee stop turned into an afternoon stop as we headed to the recreation ground for an afternoon to remember.

From Pitlochry we drove through the magnificent Cairngorms to arrive, later than we had expected, at Inverness.  It had been a day of almost too much delight.

We took the ferry boat from Belfast to Stranraer, south west Scotland.
We drove along the outstanding and unspoilt coastal drive before
 crossing Scotland to the east coast, St Andrews on the Firth of Forth.
 It was a sparkling blue, blue autumn day when we arrived.
This is the volcanic plug Ailsa Craig, off the west coast of Scotland.

Morning coffee in St Andrews.... there was Donald! 

The ruins of St Andrews Cathedral

The Royal and Ancient

Haggis, oatcake and wiskey sauce.
Doesn't look pretty....tastes buds love it!
Och aye.

Strathkinness's friendly tavern where
dogs are as welcome as people.

Middlewell Cottage, Knockhill by Nydie, Strathkinness
Thanks B, F and Sammy, we had a wonderful, wonderful time.

At Pitlochry the kilts flew during the 'heavy events';
putting the stone, throwing the hammer, tossing the caber, and
throwing the stone over the bar!

The great Highland Bagpipe bands competition

Old timers

The conditions were tough on the kilt hose

....and the Scottish terrier's hose

.....and the wee bairn's hose!

....but it made digging-in easier for the tug-o-war!

From the grandstand....tug-o-war, Highland dancers,
pipe bands.  The day had everything.

Cosy and warm Castle Tavern in Inverness

Inverness Castle from the tavern

Baa, baa black sheep....and polka dot sheep too.  Love them.

Heelan' coos

of the friendliest kind.

Crail

Crail harbour

In Inverness, we stayed with Mary McPherson in her
beautiful Victorian home.

In Scotland it's all about the tartan.  Not just kilts, but
tartan carpet, tartan upholstery.  The Inverness tartan-lit
bridge was a real treat!