My father’s recent visit was wonderful. He’s back home now, but I thought I would share some of our experiences in the next blogs.
Scotland is made up of the Highlands, to the north and northwest and the Lowlands, to the south and northeast. I’ve heard that only 10% of Scotland’s population live in the Highlands and the rest, then, in the Lowlands.
We ventured to the Highlands twice. The first time was to take a ride on a steam locomotive, informally nicknamed the “Harry Potter train” as crossing a famous bridge was featured in one of the “Harry Potter” films.
The train departs from Fort William, a town in the Western Highlands that looks out upon the UK’s tallest mountain – Ben Nevis. We saw lots of backpackers around town. The train makes a short stop at Glenfinnan where some volunteers lovingly put together a small rail museum and heads to Mallaig, a wee port town, and back.
For me, some highlights of the train trip included seeing a seal eating a fish in the Mallaig Port, seeing a small herd of deer running up a mountain as we passed them on the train and taking in the landscape.
The Highland landscape is both austere and majestic. Not covered with trees, but with heath, grass, rush and sedge – the mountains look so rugged and wild.
The famous bridge across the Glenfinnan Viaduct? It looks absolutely amazing in the below picture (not mine), but when you’re on the train you can’t quite take in the engineering marvel that it is. We did see hordes of people set up on a hill to the side of it trying to take similar picture as we crossed.
Our second journey to the Highlands was on a day bus trip with stops along beautiful Highland passes and interesting sites as we ventured to Oban, Scotland’s seafood capital, on the west coast.
Okay, the video is a bit weird, but hope you enjoy this famous Scottish folk song to listen to as you imagine the Highland’s majestic beauty. Come visit for yourself!!
Sue
Thanks for another beautiful account of your Scotland journey. Great pictures of your dad, the scenery, the animal, the train and the singers. I am so glad your dad got to travel to see you.
Anita
Thanks, Anita. Yes, it was a very special time. I appreciate your time reading and checking in.
Such as special time for you & your Dad the joy is evident between you! That song struck a memory somewhere inside me I remember my Dad whistling a tune like that!
Such interesting peeks into life there in Scotland through your talents of creating. I so look forward to you sharing. Thank you so much!
You are as beautiful as ever😍
Hi Dorothy, how funny about your dad and that tune! I’m happy it brought that memory for you. Much love to you.
Love the photos. Your dad looks so happy. What a gift for both of you!
Thanks, Gloria, for reading. It was definitely a gift for me.
That looks like a lovely train trip. What a great thing to be able to do for your dad, especially since trains were a life long interest of his. The highlands were stunning. I wonder if they were once covered in trees? Can’t wait for the next installment. I love living vicariously through your adventures I ♥️ 🏴
Thanks for reading. My understanding is that yes, they were forested way back. Love you.
Such beautiful photos, especially of you and your Dad. What a wonderful experience to share together. Brings back memories of my trip through Glencoe and Oban a few years back. Love those cows!