Life Journey...: October 2010

3 Sep: SGD - London

Met up with Serene & Daryl for dinner at Clos Maggiore. Reputed as one of the Top 10 restaurants in London and also known for its romantic atmosphere (...though I'm not so sure if the atmosphere is still as romantic when we were there!). And as always, Serene makes sure we get a spot there by booking in advance.

Moi & Serene posing with the breadsticks

(Photo: Courtesy of Daryl)

4 Sep: London - Edinburgh
0840 ETD London City Airport
1000 ETA Edinbugh AirportStart of our road trip after we collect our car from Avis at the airport!

Our Car for the road trip in Scotland!

Itinerary:
- Rosslyn Chapel
- Melrose Abbey

- Scott's view

-Dryburg Abbey

Accomodation: Turnberry Hotel (Starwood)

Our room!

Bathroom

View from our room - golf course

Jacuzzi & Swimming pool

Golf course

5 Sep: Continue our Road trip to the western side

Itinerary:
- Culzean Castle

- Drive through Glasgow to Loch Lomond

- Glen Coe

Waterfall at Glen Coe Pass

- Fort William

Quaint brick houses at Fort William

-Accomodation: Taransay B&B, Seafield Gardens, Fort William PH33 6RJ

View from the dinning room

Our room

6 Sep: Road to the Isles

Itinerary:

- Glenfinnan Viaduct

Glenfinnan Monument

- Ferry to Mallaig ETD1215 (1/2hr)

Random view on our drive to the hiking trail to Old man

- Old Man of Storr (1.5-3hr)

Mid-point..

The Official Navigator

Finally! The view from the top

Trying to show how strong the wind is...

Package sandwiches for lunch with the million dollar view

Kilt Falls

- Fairy Glen (1-2hr, 1.5km)

- Neist Point (1hr, 2.5km)

- Dinner at Carters rest (reservation in advance required during booking)

1st Class view at the Dinning room

Accomodation: Carters rest, Upper Milovaig, Glendale IV55 8WY

7 Sep: Isles of Skyle

Breakfast at Carters Rest - Salmon Omelette

Tallisker Whisky Distillery Tour

Itinerary:
- Quirang (3hr)

Lunch at Three Chimneys (highly recommended, reservations recommended)

Accomodation: Bla Bhein, Crossal, Carbost IV47 8SP

View of the Red Cuillins from the porch

View of Black Cuillins from our room

View of sunset from the other window

8 Sep: Isles of Skyle - Glen Affric

Breakfast at Bla Bhein

Cows strolling by the road...

Scottish highland cows spotted on our drive to Loch Coruisk

Itinerary:

- Loch Coruisk boat trip (3hrs, inclusive of 1.5 hrs hike: 10.45, 12.15, 14.00)
Package lunch during the Hike

The shore where we took our boat..

Sea lions spotted on our boat trip at Loch Coruisk

- Eilean Donan Castle

- Glen Affric: Dog Falls (2.5h) River (45min)

Urquhart castle on the shore of Lochness

Accomodation: Shenval, Inverness-shire IV63 6TW SCOTLAND

9 Sep: Glen Affric - Lochness
Itinerary:
- Hike to the rivers, trail located at the end of the road (recommended by Shenval hosts)

The view from the top still looks stunning despite being clouded by the morning mist

Breathing in the fresh air during our morning stroll at Glen Affric

- Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky Distillery tour
We went straight for the tasting..

- Rosemarkie Fairy Glen: Twin waterfall

- Drive in search of Heather: Edderton, Struie, Glen Loth (though we didn't go there)

Random spots along our drive...

Accomodation: Cairngorm Guesthouse, 139 Grampian Road, Aviemore PH22 1RP

10 Sep: Cairngorms - Edinburgh
Itinerary:
- Loch an Eilean, Cairngorms
Option 1- Walk @ the top: 11.20, 12.00 (2.5hr) 13p; OR
Option 2 - Funicular: From 10.00 10p, 1way 7p