We had booked into Bunree for one night..and stayed 3! We had fab weather and I just sat for ages watching the water and the mountains change with the variations in the light. Within walking distance were the Inchree falls in the Inchree forest which we both visited separately as Ruby, although def improving, is not up to hill walking yet.

On our second full day we drove the 3 miles north to GlenCoe. We had lunch at the NTS visitor centre and all three of us did a gentle hill walk…again, absolutely stunning scenery. On our last night the wind blew up a hoolie so we knew it was time to move on…more scenery to take in on our drive tomorrow. We will def be back here though, maybe whilst taking in the Islands next time.

On leaving Culloden we drove along the Great Glen alongside Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal. We were blessed to have a wonderfully sunny day and no need to rush anywhere. There are no words to describe how beautiful the Loch was with the sun sparkling off the water and showing off the mountains in their best light. We briefly stopped at Urquart Castle and many more places en route to take photos and soak up the views and have lunch in the van overlooking the lake. Just after Fort William we stopped at Neptunes Steps….8 locks in the Caledonian Canal … and to our amazement were greeted with the site of ‘The Lord of the Glens’ ( a very smart small cruise ship that does a weeks trip from Inverness through to the Islands) coming down through the locks. It really was a feat of engineering. Once through the last Loch it was then ‘held’ for about 20 mins until the road and rail bridges could be lifted….this took so long as they had to wait for the steam train from Mallaig to cross first. Talk about great timing, we couldn’t have planned it better if we had tried!!😄

We then carried on to the Bunree CMC just outside of Onich. Wow…that’s all I can say. This campsite was in such an amazing position…right on Loch Linnhe with stunning views all round. I was in heaven and never wanted to leave.

On Monday we drove across the moors to the location of the Battle of Culloden. The NTS have built a new museum dedicated to the history of this historic battle between the Jacobites and the Hanoverian Forces on 16th April 1746, the result of which changed the face of clan life in Scotland for ever more. After spending time understanding the historical facts ( individually as Ruby was not allowed in) we were able to walk around the battlefield. This is now regarded as a war memorial to all those who lost their lives and was surprisingly moving.

After our visit was stayed at the Culloden Moor Camping and Motorhome Site – only 3 miles from the battlefield….a lovely little site with country views which we would definitely use again….you can get the bus from outside the campsite into Inverness if you don’t want to move your van.

On Sunday we drove along a very scenic route to Grantown-on-Spey . This is a lovely little town which is considered the ‘gateway to the Highlands’. Sue had a lovely walk around it in the drizzle and then caught up on the important task of ‘doing the washing’. It was an excellent campsite ( Grantown-on-Spey Campsite) with a very easy 10 minute walk into the town which Peter took advantage of by visiting one of the local pubs ( which seemed to not know the difference between real ale and Tennants!) and bringing back excellent fish & chip dinners for tea.

On Friday we visited Drum Castle, not quite as big as Crathes but a lovely example of a Tower Castle which was much used by wandering clansmen.

After our visit we took the scenic route to Huntly Castle Camp Site where we were stopping the night. Boy what a drive, spectacular scenery up and over mountains which are impassable in the snow. We had planned to stay one night in Huntly as Peter was visiting the Strathisla distillery the next day for a grand tour culminating in his own whiskey blending experience. We now have a wee bottle of this one off speciality to enjoy. As it was a nice site , and walkable into the small town, we decided to stop there another night before moving onto Grantown on Spey on Sunday.

So where are we now?

On Wednesday we drove up to Glamis Castle, much loved by the Queen Mother. Sue ‘fund the your’ by a lovely eccentric local guy called Euan while Peter ‘dog sat’ Ruby and read a book. We stayed at a very eccentric campsite…full of statics and permanent caravans but no people!!!!

Today we tried to drive up Glenshee but road closures made it impossible so we headed to Crathes Castle near Banchory a different way and were rewarded with the most spectacular scenery.

Crathes Castle was a delight and full of ghost stories.. as was Glamis. Staying tonight at the CMC site at Banchory which fits the bill and off to another Deeside castle tomorrow.

Had a lovely morning riding the steam train from Haverthwaite to Lakeside then boarded the Swan for a boat ride on Lake Windermere up to Bowness. After a quick cup of coffee we travelled the return journey in order to drive up to Scotland this afternoon. Little did we know that we had a ‘star pooch’ with us. On the boat journey back we were joined by a coach load of visitors from India who absolutely fell in love with Ruby. She was photographed , videoed and stroked for most of the 40 min journey back – we wont be surprised if she becomes an Instagram star overnight…..bless her. After a quick lunch we drive through torrential rain to a CCC site right on the edge of Moffat before we head up to the Mid Highlands tomorrow.