Tour through Scotland
This blog is documenting the tour through Scotland in August 2006 by three brothers, also known as "Three Brave Hearts".
These brothers belong to the van Heemstra clan, originating from Holland.
Their tour starts on 23rd of August on arrival at Edinburgh airport.
EasyJet airplane landed
Edinburgh Airport
After Customs and Luggage Retrieval, the two brothers from Holland will be welcomed by their brother from Scotland.
Brother from Scotland
The three brothers collect a Rent-a-Car from Easycar Rent and make their way to the Capital of Scotland: Edinburgh.
Edinburgh, Capital of Scotland
---------------------
DAY ONE
-Edinburgh: Arthur Seat, Castle, College of Art
Map of Edinburgh
Arthur Seat
The remains of a volcano that erupted under water during the Carboniferous period, Arthur's Seat is located within Holyrood Park in the centre of Edinburgh. Although only 250m (823 feet) in height, Arthur's Seat is a notable landmark, dominating the city. Known also as the Lion's Head, Arthur's Seat is the highest of a series of peaks which take the form of a crouched lion.
= Lunch =
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle was a prison for sailors from many countries in the 18th and 19th centuries, including crewmen who sailed with John Paul Jones, founder of the American Navy. Their graffiti, handmade ships and other items are on display in the Prisoners of War exhibition.
College of Art
Edinburgh College of Art (eca) has an international reputation as one of the most successful independent art colleges in the UK. We have won that reputation by offering the highest quality of experience for our students, and by providing a learning environment, which is both supportive and challenging. eca is known for its creativity, its co-operative atmosphere and its people; one recent graduate described the College as 'an ideas factory'.
The moving image, in film and television, is an integral part of the modern world. It is a source of information and entertainment, the product of a rich and complex range of aesthetic and technical activities. The teaching programme at Edinburgh College of Art does not focus on any single element of the medium. Instead, it offers you the widest opportunities to work in formats ranging from the established, such as documentary, drama, music video and commercials, to forms such as fine art video and experimental film which seek to define their own creative agenda. The programme is firmly founded on the concept that film, television and video are essentially about communication. You are encouraged to define for yourself what it is that you want to say, to whom you want to say it, and the most effective way of doing so.
= Evening out =
---------------------
DAY TWO
Map of the West-Highlands with Fort William
Ben Nevis
Loch Morar
Fort William is the largest town in the west Highlands of Scotland and is the commercial centre of Lochaber, an area renowned for magnificent scenery with an important history. We have the highest mountain in the UK - Ben Nevis, and Loch Morar - the deepest loch, with beautiful glens, forests and beaches in between. Fort William and Lochaber offers the modern traveller an enormous choice for recreation, discovery and relaxation. Fort William and Lochaber is the Outdoor Capital of the UK.
The Skye Bridge connects the Isle of Skye to the mainland and Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland side of the bridge is a major transport hub for travellers visiting the island.
Isle of Skye: Uig Bay
In 1877 a great flood, caused by an unusually heavy rainfall, burst the banks of the two rivers which run to the bay. The Conan and Rha joined and the force of the flood swept away the local graveyard and the estate factor's lodge. The caretaker was killed. The pier was built in 1894 and officially opened by King Edward VII in 1902.
UIG & THE TROTTERNISH PENINSULA
Dun Flodigarry Hostel
Flodigarry, Staffin, Isle of Skye
Tel (01470) 552 212
... or see the Map
This is an outstanding hostel with an excellent kitchen, a spectacular view across the sea to the mainland mountains (if not foggy), a large dining/sitting room that could be very sociable, a small lounge with piano and guitar, internet, no TV, outdoor tables (to use when there are no midges), a pub nearby (not cheap), and amazing mountain walks from the hostel door. The owners are friendly and helpful.
[more at BUG Backpackers hostel review]
---------------------
DAY THREE
Driving North-East
Applecross
Applecross is a mountainous area, approached from the south via the "Bealach nam Bo" (The Pass of the Cattle), which, at 2,054 feet, is one of the highest in Scotland.
Chefs at the Applecross Inn always try to use local produce on their menus, this includes of course the seafood from Applecross Bay itself, Prawns, Squat Lobster, Crab and Lobster, Local Scallops, Oysters, Mussels and Smoked Salmon.
= Lunch =
Gairloch: Whale watching
... we'll pass by this place, but have to do with our own whaly faces ;o)
Click her tail to listen to the sound of a porpoise, recorded in Strath Bay, Gairloch (MP3, 473KB)
Poolewe
Poolewe is a very lovely small town with its own market every Tuesday morning, the Poolewe hotel, which serves good dinners and the Bridge Coffee Shop, owned by two lovely people who serve great coffees and cakes during daytimes.
= Teatime =
If time allows we'll visit the Inverewe Gardens near Poolewe. Very beautiful gardens in an unexpected part of Scotland.
Inverewe Gardens
This wonderful sheltered woodland garden on a rocky peninsula in Wester Ross is a particular delight in spring when it is a filled with colour from Rhododendron and Azalea bushes.
Cairngorms National Park
Stay at The Boat House, Deshar Road, Boat of Garten
"Alan and Lynn look forward to welcoming you to The Boat House in the Highland village of Boat of Garten."
Click to enlarge: The Boat House is situated on the main road into the village, 5 miles from Aviemore.
Ideally located... Lying adjacent to the mighty River Spey in the Cairngorms National Park, Boat of Garten lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty, centrally located in the Highlands of Scotland. The perfect place from which to explore the Highlands or simply unwind.
= Dinner at our own table =
OPTIONAL: Evening stroll towards Tomintool
Tomintoul (pronounced "Tom-in-T'owl") is a village which is the base camp for climbers and walkers in the area round the rivers Avon and Livet. Nearby, Cromdale and the Ladder Hills foreshadow the Cairngorm Mountains. This is the high, remote Livet countryside that once abounded in illicit distilleries. Tomintoul itself had a good few.
Hear "Tomintoul" pronounced in AU or WAV format
The Glenlivet Distillery, the only distillery allowed to call itself "The Glenlivet"
It is a few miles from the village to the present distillery which is on the edge of forest, close to the Avon but still within the parish of Glenlivet. The Tomintoul distillery was built in the 1960s and is of a modern appearance.
---------------------
DAY FOUR
After a comfortable sleep in The Boat House, full Scottish or Continental Breakfast is served in the dining room.
= Breakfast =
Dundee, City of Discovery
Upon request, we'll stop at the University of Abertay. The location at which we have developed our computer game SPACEPORT by then. Home of games such as LEMMINGS and GRAND THEFT AUTO.
Perhaps we meet some friends along the way?
Crocodile Dundee
St Andrews: Golf
Home of golf, the old course St. Andrews showing the Swilken burn and centuries old Swilken bridge.
Named after Saint Andrew the Apostle, the Royal Burgh of St Andrews (Scottish Gaelic: Cill Rìmhinn) is a town on the east coast of Fife, Scotland, and the home of golf. It has a population of about 18 000, and stands on the North Sea coast between Edinburgh and Dundee. It is home to Scotland's oldest university, the University of St Andrews.
= Lunch on the Green =
The town has acquired the name of the "home of Golf", partly because the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, exercises legislative authority over the game, and partly because of its beautiful links (acquired by the town in 1894) is the most frequent venue for The Open Championship, the oldest of golf's four major championships. Visitors travel to St Andrews in great numbers for several courses ranked amongst the finest in the world, as well as for the sandy beaches.
Elie: 100ft below ground, secret bunker
South of St Andrews is a place called Elie, near the coast. At first one would not expect anything spectacular to happen in this quiet town with farmer houses. Not unless your Secret Service would have informed you about a particular entrance into the ground.
= Tea (in secret...) =
Bunker
"Hidden beneath a Scottish Farmhouse, a tunnel leads to Scotland’s Secret Bunker. 24,000 square feet of secret accommodation on two levels, 100 feet underground."
Back in Edinburgh, we'll pass out in a local Pub ;o)
= Wine & Dine =
---------------------
DAY FIVE
= Breakfast =
Take-off from Edinburgh Airport after returning the rental car.
Easy (Stelios) does it!
... more detail to follow soon
These brothers belong to the van Heemstra clan, originating from Holland.
Their tour starts on 23rd of August on arrival at Edinburgh airport.
EasyJet airplane landed
Edinburgh Airport
After Customs and Luggage Retrieval, the two brothers from Holland will be welcomed by their brother from Scotland.
Brother from Scotland
The three brothers collect a Rent-a-Car from Easycar Rent and make their way to the Capital of Scotland: Edinburgh.
Edinburgh, Capital of Scotland
---------------------
DAY ONE
-Edinburgh: Arthur Seat, Castle, College of Art
Map of Edinburgh
Arthur Seat
The remains of a volcano that erupted under water during the Carboniferous period, Arthur's Seat is located within Holyrood Park in the centre of Edinburgh. Although only 250m (823 feet) in height, Arthur's Seat is a notable landmark, dominating the city. Known also as the Lion's Head, Arthur's Seat is the highest of a series of peaks which take the form of a crouched lion.
= Lunch =
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle was a prison for sailors from many countries in the 18th and 19th centuries, including crewmen who sailed with John Paul Jones, founder of the American Navy. Their graffiti, handmade ships and other items are on display in the Prisoners of War exhibition.
College of Art
Edinburgh College of Art (eca) has an international reputation as one of the most successful independent art colleges in the UK. We have won that reputation by offering the highest quality of experience for our students, and by providing a learning environment, which is both supportive and challenging. eca is known for its creativity, its co-operative atmosphere and its people; one recent graduate described the College as 'an ideas factory'.
The moving image, in film and television, is an integral part of the modern world. It is a source of information and entertainment, the product of a rich and complex range of aesthetic and technical activities. The teaching programme at Edinburgh College of Art does not focus on any single element of the medium. Instead, it offers you the widest opportunities to work in formats ranging from the established, such as documentary, drama, music video and commercials, to forms such as fine art video and experimental film which seek to define their own creative agenda. The programme is firmly founded on the concept that film, television and video are essentially about communication. You are encouraged to define for yourself what it is that you want to say, to whom you want to say it, and the most effective way of doing so.
= Evening out =
---------------------
DAY TWO
| RAC Routeplanner |
|---|
| [09:00]Edinburgh->[12:09]Fort William = 211.4 km (3 hours 9 min) [14:00]Fort William->[16:47]Uig = 168.5 km (2 hours 47 min) |
Map of the West-Highlands with Fort William
Ben Nevis
Loch Morar
Fort William is the largest town in the west Highlands of Scotland and is the commercial centre of Lochaber, an area renowned for magnificent scenery with an important history. We have the highest mountain in the UK - Ben Nevis, and Loch Morar - the deepest loch, with beautiful glens, forests and beaches in between. Fort William and Lochaber offers the modern traveller an enormous choice for recreation, discovery and relaxation. Fort William and Lochaber is the Outdoor Capital of the UK.
The Skye Bridge connects the Isle of Skye to the mainland and Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland side of the bridge is a major transport hub for travellers visiting the island.
Isle of Skye: Uig Bay
In 1877 a great flood, caused by an unusually heavy rainfall, burst the banks of the two rivers which run to the bay. The Conan and Rha joined and the force of the flood swept away the local graveyard and the estate factor's lodge. The caretaker was killed. The pier was built in 1894 and officially opened by King Edward VII in 1902.
UIG & THE TROTTERNISH PENINSULA
Dun Flodigarry Hostel
Flodigarry, Staffin, Isle of Skye
Tel (01470) 552 212
... or see the Map
This is an outstanding hostel with an excellent kitchen, a spectacular view across the sea to the mainland mountains (if not foggy), a large dining/sitting room that could be very sociable, a small lounge with piano and guitar, internet, no TV, outdoor tables (to use when there are no midges), a pub nearby (not cheap), and amazing mountain walks from the hostel door. The owners are friendly and helpful.
[more at BUG Backpackers hostel review]
---------------------
DAY THREE
| RAC Routeplanner |
|---|
| [10:00]Uig->[12:25]Applecross = 144.5 km (2 hours 25 min) [13:30]Applecross->[15:13]Poolewe = 99.3 km (1 hour 43 min) [16:00]Poolewe->[18:37]Aviemore = 165.5 km (2 hours 37 min) |
Driving North-East
Applecross
Applecross is a mountainous area, approached from the south via the "Bealach nam Bo" (The Pass of the Cattle), which, at 2,054 feet, is one of the highest in Scotland.
Chefs at the Applecross Inn always try to use local produce on their menus, this includes of course the seafood from Applecross Bay itself, Prawns, Squat Lobster, Crab and Lobster, Local Scallops, Oysters, Mussels and Smoked Salmon.
= Lunch =
Gairloch: Whale watching
... we'll pass by this place, but have to do with our own whaly faces ;o)
Click her tail to listen to the sound of a porpoise, recorded in Strath Bay, Gairloch (MP3, 473KB)Poolewe
Poolewe is a very lovely small town with its own market every Tuesday morning, the Poolewe hotel, which serves good dinners and the Bridge Coffee Shop, owned by two lovely people who serve great coffees and cakes during daytimes.
= Teatime =
If time allows we'll visit the Inverewe Gardens near Poolewe. Very beautiful gardens in an unexpected part of Scotland.
Inverewe Gardens
This wonderful sheltered woodland garden on a rocky peninsula in Wester Ross is a particular delight in spring when it is a filled with colour from Rhododendron and Azalea bushes.
Cairngorms National Park
Stay at The Boat House, Deshar Road, Boat of Garten
"Alan and Lynn look forward to welcoming you to The Boat House in the Highland village of Boat of Garten."
Click to enlarge: The Boat House is situated on the main road into the village, 5 miles from Aviemore.
Ideally located... Lying adjacent to the mighty River Spey in the Cairngorms National Park, Boat of Garten lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty, centrally located in the Highlands of Scotland. The perfect place from which to explore the Highlands or simply unwind.
= Dinner at our own table =
OPTIONAL: Evening stroll towards Tomintool
Tomintoul (pronounced "Tom-in-T'owl") is a village which is the base camp for climbers and walkers in the area round the rivers Avon and Livet. Nearby, Cromdale and the Ladder Hills foreshadow the Cairngorm Mountains. This is the high, remote Livet countryside that once abounded in illicit distilleries. Tomintoul itself had a good few.
Hear "Tomintoul" pronounced in AU or WAV format
The Glenlivet Distillery, the only distillery allowed to call itself "The Glenlivet"
It is a few miles from the village to the present distillery which is on the edge of forest, close to the Avon but still within the parish of Glenlivet. The Tomintoul distillery was built in the 1960s and is of a modern appearance.
---------------------
DAY FOUR
| RAC Routeplanner |
|---|
| [10:00]Aviemore->via Dundee->[12:54]St Andrews = 181 km ( 2 hours 54 min) [15:30]St Andrews->[15:56]Elie = 27.2 km (26 min) [17:00]Elie->[18:08]Edinburgh = 69.4 km (1 hours 8 min) |
After a comfortable sleep in The Boat House, full Scottish or Continental Breakfast is served in the dining room.
= Breakfast =
Dundee, City of Discovery
Upon request, we'll stop at the University of Abertay. The location at which we have developed our computer game SPACEPORT by then. Home of games such as LEMMINGS and GRAND THEFT AUTO.
Perhaps we meet some friends along the way?
Crocodile Dundee
St Andrews: Golf
Home of golf, the old course St. Andrews showing the Swilken burn and centuries old Swilken bridge.
Named after Saint Andrew the Apostle, the Royal Burgh of St Andrews (Scottish Gaelic: Cill Rìmhinn) is a town on the east coast of Fife, Scotland, and the home of golf. It has a population of about 18 000, and stands on the North Sea coast between Edinburgh and Dundee. It is home to Scotland's oldest university, the University of St Andrews.
= Lunch on the Green =
The town has acquired the name of the "home of Golf", partly because the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, exercises legislative authority over the game, and partly because of its beautiful links (acquired by the town in 1894) is the most frequent venue for The Open Championship, the oldest of golf's four major championships. Visitors travel to St Andrews in great numbers for several courses ranked amongst the finest in the world, as well as for the sandy beaches.
Elie: 100ft below ground, secret bunker
South of St Andrews is a place called Elie, near the coast. At first one would not expect anything spectacular to happen in this quiet town with farmer houses. Not unless your Secret Service would have informed you about a particular entrance into the ground.
= Tea (in secret...) =
Bunker
"Hidden beneath a Scottish Farmhouse, a tunnel leads to Scotland’s Secret Bunker. 24,000 square feet of secret accommodation on two levels, 100 feet underground."
Back in Edinburgh, we'll pass out in a local Pub ;o)
= Wine & Dine =
---------------------
DAY FIVE
= Breakfast =
Take-off from Edinburgh Airport after returning the rental car.
Easy (Stelios) does it!
... more detail to follow soon
posted by WvanHeemstra | 11:50 AM
6 Comments:
Surprising plans! How nice to meet the brothers and show them the beautiful Scotland.
Emma
It happens to be that I have been everywhere! The nicewst experience I have had on the Isle of Sky; it is really marvellous.
Where are the whales you talked about. I have seen them between the Westcoast arriving from Fort William on the way to Sky.
Emma
Thanks for the positive comments!
Our biggest hurdle will probably not be the slope of the countryside but the midges (a kind of mosquito).
Some swear by the midge-repellant effects of Avon's Skin So Soft Body Oil, available as a spray.
We will also find netting midge hoods on sale in many outlets across the Highlands and Islands.
A Tour with a Bite ;o)
The Middle Brave Heart
Your mother will remind that we were with our scooter and tent near Fort William in 1956! that in the midnight we waked up and our faces were full with very small insects. So we took all our luggage and went off. More inland it was much better but near the lakes it just can be awfull. Mostly however in june/july; so perhaps you will habe good luck. Emma
It is going to be a very full programma for 4 days! I looked to the bridge to Skye; when I was there we had to cross by boat. Sorry for the wrong written Sky in stad of Skye; i should have known better!
I think the bunker is just marvellous; never heard of that installation.
Till next time! Emma
I hope Geeser is on time back from the United States. He will have some trouble with the sleep because of timedifference; so be careful with the eldest brave heart!
I hope the weather will be better than last week and I wish the three brave hearts all the pleasure they wish under Willems leadership! Emma
Post a Comment
<< Home