Wednesday 14th September - Edinburgh to Dufton

A travelling and meeting people day!

We had an 8am breakfast in the restaurant next door, Doug walked down to the car park and drove back up to collect luggage (and me).

We set up "Ella on the dash" and away we went.  Just a little error, nothing too serious.  Got ourselves out of Edinburgh - next stop Selkirk to acquaint myself with a second cousin who has come out of the woodwork over the last couple of years.  Found him, some 10 miles out of Selkirk.  The weather was cool and the clouds down very low - apparently the valley is very pretty.

A lot of chatter and catching up on family history, farming and rugby - a lovely couple and daughter (Lindsay & Sylvia, daughter Alison).  We lingered and finally got away around  pm, knowing there was a more than a two hour drive south to Dufton and blip friends Paula & Gordon.

Whizzing along the motorway in this instance was good, and as we drove south the weather improved.  A great welcome for us, sitting outside in the warmth, overlooking their garden to the fields below, birds twittering around the feeder.

A magnificent dinner was served - Paula's pavlova was one the best ever, laden with fresh berries, delicious.....seconds was had. 

Tuesday 13th September - Edinburgh

Every day seems to be a big day - and today was no exception.  We walked along the Royal Mile and found a nice cafe for breakfast - very warm and able to sit outside.  Eggs Benedict swimming in Hollandaise Sauce.

We had bought tickets for the castle in Stirling when we visited there castle.  So, off we went to the Castle, along with the millions - just so busy, we did the rounds and enjoyed it, but didn't linger too long, just too many people everywhere.

We escaped and walked back enjoying some street performers along the way.  I was keen to go into St Giles Cathedral, which takes pride of place on the Royal Mile.  The interior was breathtaking, I had to pay the two pound and where a sticker for the rights to take photos but worth every penny.

We then went off "the mile" and over the bridge for some non tourist shopping.  Successful purchases for the grandies :)

We had skipped lunch so opted for an early dinner at a little cafe beside our apartment - very nice then back to the room.  Took a leisurely bath, and a nice cup of tea.

We had a face-time with our Townsville family as they were starting their day.

Monday 12th September - Stirling to Edinburgh

An early breakfast and on the road up to the Stirling Castle, we were much too early, like 30 minutes.  To fill in some time we took a wander around the adjacent cemeteries - and rather randomly I found a headstone with my Mum's maiden name Jolliffe.  I've taken a photo of it and will give to my cousin who is doing the family tree, there may not be any connections but time will tell.

The hour and half spent at the Stirling Castle could well have been the whole morning.  So much to see and read, a real history lesson, but time meant that the museum sections had to be quicker than we would have liked.  A great castle strategically placed on a high knob with 360 degree view to watch for enemy (which there were many it seems).

We then went in search of the Old Stirling Bridge (Ella on the dash was very helpful), and very pleased we found it as it is a beautiful structure, and I was very lucky with the light highlighting its gorgeous stonework.

The off to do the Falkirk Wheel trip - amazing and again so pleased we went back today.  Rather than me try unsuccessfully to explain,  here is what what Wikipedia says.

We are now in Edinburgh, only a half hour drive from Falkirk (near Stirling).  We are staying right by the Royal Mile and have walked up and down, the bagpipes playing somewhere nearby.  We enjoyed a meal sitting outside as darkness fell.  People everywhere and every race covered.  Funnily enough, for the hour or more that we sat there people watching I only saw four men in shorts, Doug included.  Weird, as it was rather mild.

The cemetery we strolled through.  

This guy was a real character - he was in one of the rooms, and had spent years
working on the family trees - he reels off many well known names that had
connections to the Stirling Castle 

The castle from below as we drove to the Old Stirling Bridge below

Falkirk Wheel taken at the top and out the window of the barge.

Inside the tunnel

And at the end before we were wheeled back to ground level.

The wheel with one of the barges going in.

And half way up, not the pink top of the barge on the right

Sunday 11th September - North Ballachulish to Stirling

After a lovely breakfast served in her kitchen, shared with another couple we were on the road around 9 am.  Over the solid bridge and onward to the town of Gencoe.  Our BnB hosts had suggested we walk the Gencoe Lochan and we were very pleased to have seen this lovely place - also helped to walk off our big breakfast !!

Then we motored through the Gencoe/Ben Nevis areas, very impressive mountains, lots of waterfalls and some of the area reminded us of the Lindis Pass, sparse, remote but much greener.  Obviously this is a popular tourist route as there were dozens of buses on the road with pull off parking areas in appropriate places.

We had lunch at Ardlui Hotel, which is at the top (or is it the bottom) of Loch Lomond.  A scenic drive along the shores of the Loch with large and fabulous trees growing right down to the shore line. At the far end of Loch Lomond we turned off and the country side changed dramatically.

From here on to Stirling (our destination) the land became rural farming, still lots of crops to be harvested, and paddocks of cattle and sheep.  We felt quite at home.

Arriving at Stirling around 3 pm, we found ourselves a BnB, had a rest then went in search of The Falkirk Wheel - our "helpful lady on the dash" (since named Ella) gave us directions;  unfortunately we had just missed the last boat.  Instead we researched the wheel, I took photos and we will return tomorrow for the tour with commentary  This is an ingenious engineering construction.

Off to The Kelpies, which were close by.  I had seen pictures of these incredible sculptures many times, but actually seeing them myself blew me away - they are ginorous.  The light was very grey and flat, but just had to make do - have converted the two photos to black and white - just seemed to suit the weather conditions.  Took many pictures, every angle possible - but have gone for the overall one to show just how big they are in comparison to the trees and the other one is just the head.

Some Facts:  weighing 300 tonnes each, 30 metres high, 928 unique stainless plates, built on site in 90 days.  The 

"mythological kelpies" (the clydesdales) were the horses that pulled the barges in years gone by.   This visit was a real highlight.

We went to the local for dinner - a very popular place, I had the chefs special - steak pie, Doug had lasagne.

The view from of BnB window - no complaints !!

This hefty looking bridge had to be crossed to get to Glencoe and beyond

Pretty as a picture - Glencoe Bay

Gencoe Bay,  looking the other way 

These three chairs took my eye @ Gencoe

This and the following 6 photos were taken on the walk at Glencoe Lochan - a beautiful place.

Rhodo's everywhere - little seedlings as well.

Through the Glencoe/Ben Nevis hills

The top or bottom of Loch Lomond

Three colourful boat sheds

The Kelpies - a "gasp" moment