Short Break - Scotland

2005-11-11T17:26:00.000Z

Fort William - Wolverhampton

2004-08-10T14:07:00.000Z

I am now heading home to lovely Wolverhampton.

Glad the weather has stayed good throughout.

Fort William - MacTavish's Scottish Sword Dancing

2004-08-10T14:01:00.000Z

MacTavish's is a Scottish Theme restaurant, one of the popular places on the drag of Fort William.

The service is abysmal but the food is excellent and you have the additional treat for £2, of being entertained in an authentic Scottish style whilst you eat.

I have captured a little of the Scottish festivities - click for a video.

Jacobite Steam Train - Mallaig

2004-08-10T13:58:00.000Z

If you are going to book the best tickets are the ones with the lower numbers 12 represents an aisle. People aren't enthused about swapping.

6 station stop offs along the way and many photo opportunities. The train stops in Mallaig, terminus fishing port.

Mallaig
Sheets of rain flush the streets as I make my way round.

Mallaig is a fishing port which in the summer receives a lot of tourists.

After two hours in windy, rainy conditions, tourism aesthetic has given way to grim realisation that Mallaig is a dirty fishing village with knobs on.

The novelty is how it has become a tourist destination in the first place.

The fish and chips are rated the best in the country and you can catch ferries in many of the Scottish islands, but I would rather catch a flight to the south of France or Spain.
This is what the Scottish tourist industry is up against.

Jacobite Steam Train - Harry Potters Hogwarts Express

2004-08-10T13:53:00.000Z

Jacobite steam train to some - Harry Potters Hogwarts Express to others, this is the legendary train which takes Potter above the Scottish Highlands to the mystical Hogwarts Magical Academy.

The railway is run by West Coast Railway Company and is not part of the services offered by Scotrail, tickets are sold separately.

The train takes you to Mallaig and back via Copach and Glenfinnan, the Glenfinnan viaduct is featured in the Harry Potter film. Past Loch Shiel and the statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie then Arisaig and Morar to stop in Mallaig.

You can get all the way there and back for £22.00 per person (1st class).

It was funny the way the journey reduced grown men to little children all jostling and excited, crowding around windows with their video cameras, needless to say I did not partake in this childish behavior.

REAL Hogwarts Express! - !!!***The Movie ***!!!!!

Version 2

Fort William - Ben Nevis Descent

2004-08-10T13:38:00.000Z

Travelling down the mountain was by the same path. In addition you have the option of taking a number of short cuts, scree covered hit and miss affairs for the more hardened mountaineer (like myself).

I embarked upon more than one of these, the first having done the job: bypassed a number of fellow climbers and shaved minutes from my descent.

Again, kiddies were out in front negotiating sliding around on the scree.

After the second 'cut relative merits have reduced to the point where I would only recommend to surfers and skaters and nutters in general.

Feeling a bit worst for wear and a sore I embark on a little rock hoping and jog down to the bottom, much easier than walking.

Fort William - Ben Nevis Ascent

2004-08-10T12:53:00.000Z

This is the second major peak I have sought to conquer in the UK having seen off Snowdon last year. Bank holidays represent a good time to venture out and get the job done.

The weather is hot and sunny, the accommodation in Fort William is booked up, the buses are swelling with backpackers, Scots and Brits alike are out to make the most of the weather.

Have not encountered midges yet. These may come later.

There are two ways to climb the mountain, to start from the Youth Hostel or to start from the Visitor Centre, both are on the same path.

Recently climbed up Snowdon.
There you have a choice of about 3-5 paths to the peak itself and many more interjoining across the hills and valleys below.
Ben Nevis has one route to the top.

The Path
Climbing was fairly easy, much of the lower sections path are slabbed.

Midway point is marked by a lake not visible directly from the path.
Stop here and have yer brew or banana or whatever.

Approaching the summit, kept on finding kids where trying to overtake me.
Not effected by the altitude they were able to almost run up the last part, little buggers.

The last part was made up of lunar scree. Bleached rock etc.
Have got some pictures to demostrate this exciting landscape which has a tendency to slip out from under your feet on the way down.

Summit
On the top of the mountain the had a memorial to people who have lost lives of friends or family on the mountain.
There were more than a few.

Also there was a small tin refuge mounted atop a pillar of rock for climbers who find themselves in a predicament not wishing to become part of the memorial.

After surveying these mountain top features and the view, which was fantastic. Ate scotch eggs ready for descent.

Fort William - Caladonian Canal

2004-08-10T12:44:00.000Z

Holed up just outside Fort William.

There are a couple of bunk houses. I am staying at one called Farr which is about 3 miles out of Fort William itself.

Have taken a walk down to the Caladonian Canal in the evening. Am enjoying this much more that my time in the city.

Have met couple from London. Teachers. They are travelling from John O'Groats to Lands End by mountain bike. Mad.

They're staying in the same accommodation which is a lodge house with all the amenities cooking, fridge freezer, rooms with TV's etc. Prices are £12.50 per night. Not Bad.
Its fairly comfortable and the people are friendly.

tomorrow I will take on Ben Nevis.

Inverness to Fort William

2004-08-10T11:58:00.000Z

The quickest way to get from Inverness to Fort William is by bus which costs £8 and runs hourly.
If you want to take a train, you will have to go south a least 100 miles then north again in a skewed V direction.

Have had meal in pub opposite the station. Didn't get thrown out.

Am looking forward to Fort William. Ben Nevis will be the high point of my visit to Scotland. There is also a steam train featured on Harry Potter, the one he flies round in his hillman imp.

Inverness - Loch Ness Castle Urquart Tour

2004-08-10T11:43:00.000Z

The sun was shining which is pretty rare in Scotland.

Taking this to be a sign of my changing luck I rolled my sleeves up.

This castle Urquart is supposed to stand above the deepest spot in the lake, Nessie's favourite hiding spot.

I think there is a knack to seeing monsters and things in that they only appear to those not expecting to see anything, they are wise to the expectations of human kind.
Perhaps if you expect something, you will see nothing. If you expect nothing you see the monster. If you walk around expecting nothing the monster knows you don't want to catch it and will reveal itself to you!

Truth be known, the Scots have done well to build a multimillion tourism industry out of a couple of floating logs and some historic gobbledy gook. Truly there is fuck all in this lake the Scots tell you this themselves.

Inverness - Loch Ness

2004-08-10T11:35:00.000Z

Have had a brief look around Inverness cathedral and whatnot.

Inverness is the capital of the highlands and as you arrive you can see big gas storage silo chimney stacks, factory and other signs of industry which provide some of its wealth.

This is not a bad thing but it does mean Inverness is a bit like a city.
I've decided that I don't want to do any more city things so have opted for tour of Loch Ness which also incorporates local history and a trip to the Loch Ness Monster museum.

Inverness

2004-08-10T11:29:00.000Z

I've planned to spend two days in Inverness.

Am staying at a hostel Eastgate Backpackers. This will be my base to explore the highlights of the Inverness region.

I make my way down to the tourist infomation.

Edinburgh - Exit Edinburgh

2004-08-10T11:25:00.000Z

After this fun filled experience I shall take my leave of Edinburgh.

I'm due at a hostel in Inverness where hopefully I can take a relaxing period of natural persuits.

Edinburgh - Police Cells Morning

2004-08-10T10:41:00.000Z

Was pleased to find that police screws if that's what the call them, cell attendants is probably a better name. cell attendants lay on a bit of a spread for waking prisoners, brews, rolls, hash brown and whatnots.

Prison is like life on the outside magnified and without the frilly bits.

Edinburgh - Police Cells

2004-08-10T10:30:00.000Z

A night in the cells.

Nothing like it..

They have these nice spongy crash mats in case you feel up to some gymnastics while you're in there.
Didn't see many practicing the gym stuff. All seemed fairly sullen. I got thrown in at about 7.30-8pm as time progressed things gradually got more busy and excited both in and outside the cell.

Edinburgh - Grassmarket White Hart

2004-08-10T09:08:00.000Z

Decided to go on literary pub crawl organised carried out by local thespians. The tour takes in the sites whilst supping the mead, a combination of alchohol and education not to be missed I thought.

After taking a quick pizza and a glass of wine in Grassmarket, dropped for a quick drink before embarking on the literary pub extravaganza, to The White Hart - Grassmarket

On ordering my drink, the barmaid and I exchanged low level banter, I sat back to enjoy my Guinness. Half way through this pint the barmaid says, "Is there anything wrong with your drink, you seem to be drinking it slowly", I was waiting for the pub tour to start.

Nearing the end of my drink this barmaid pops up and announces "I don't like you you're going to have to leave". Obviously I thought she was joking and told her to call the police.

Turns out she wasn't.

Anyway to cut a long story, after discussion, I agreed it would be best for me to continue drinking elsewhere and made my way out.

Outside
As we got outside the pub this bar youth escorting me announced that I had committed an offence, Not leaving a pub when requested and it was his responsibility to hold me under citizens arrest until the police arrived.

Without warning or discussion, this barman grabbed at my arms and tryed to put them behind my back into an armlock position.
Failing this he then trying to get me in a head lock.

5 other men appeared and forced me to the floor.

I ended up on the floor with these blokes sat on me like I was a garden bench, one of them took it upon himself to smash my head into the floor leaving me with a bump above my right eye.

The police arrived and took some statements and I ended up in the police cells.

I have included a picture of the pub and pavement. If you're feeling lively, perhaps you should pay a visit. If you are a solicitor looking for a new case, contact me.

Edinburgh - Royal Mile

2004-08-09T01:17:00.000Z

Edinburgh Royal Mile runs from East to West for more or less one mile between the Scottish Parliament Buildings and Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh Castle
The castle is surrounded by tourists. Queuing up would have taken about 45 minutes or more.
Decided not to bother.

Museum of Scotland
Half way down set back off the main drag is the National Scottish Museum of Scotland. Four floors of museum exhibitions and free entry.

20th Century, on the 4th floor was of particular interest. Scots chose their favourite items from the era; record players, nikes, bikes, cars, planes, specs, sellotape things you wouldn't normally think about.
Had one with Tony Blair talking about his guitar.
I didn't know he was a Scot.
Found this all very interesting.

New Scottish Parliament Buildings
The new Scottish Parliament buildings. Most confess these brought a smile to my face.

Bits of hammers combine with authentic bolder and concrete to provide a prefab style with a post modern slant.

Could be a block of flats anywhere.

Watch for the boulders they have stuck on the side, these may fall off some time in the future onto pedestrians below, leading to lengthily and costly law suits. Never mind.

Edinburgh - George Street

2004-08-08T13:16:00.000Z

Wandered out and woke up in morning decided to catch bus save me walking back and to into town.

Stayed on the bus on the lookout for a full Scottish breakfast.

Eventually disembark in unknown area of town and took the following photographs.

Edinburgh - Accommodation

2004-08-07T18:43:00.000Z

I am staying on St. Johns Hill, off Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

Edinburgh for those that don't know, is Scotlands' capital city. If you didn't, this will become apparent when you try to find accommodation.

After exhaustive research I plumped for this place EURO Hostel. £19 per night, my own room in unoccupied student campus.

The girl at check in made me a cup of coffee on check in and I settled in, had a look round and took a short walk to the pub.

The first thing you notice is that the beer is all the same, they are the same brands you would expect to find in any old UK boozer.

Saw 6 piece instrumental playing in this pub called the Tass advertised as a traditional Scottish pub.
Went to a place called the Globe. They also had a live band, with drunken backpacker Karaoke opportunities.

Get the impression Live music is a big feature of Edinburgh nightlife around old town and George street is the main place for clubs and bars.

BMI Baby - East Midlands to Edinburgh

2004-08-07T18:05:00.000Z

This is the first time I have flown on the BMI baby.

It has that little logo which says people who read the Telegraph also like BMI baby.

These little cross-selling logo's are pretty easy to come by and one shouldn't usually pay too much attention to them, however, in this case the service lived up to the accolade.

The flight was better because
a) It was more organised
b) The staff were more interested
c) The seat had legroom

Plus with BMI baby, you pick your own seat, a simple but significant technology.

As part of the online booking, you must maneuver your baby through the rows and aisles and place him on an empty seat. If you don't like him there, grab the little blighter and move him somewhere else.

Where the baby sits the baby stays.

On boarding just find the seat.

Hands together for BMI baby.

No wonder the load factor on their planes is higher than anyone else's.

Public Transport to EMA East Midlands Airport

2004-08-07T10:15:00.000Z

While I remember there are drawbacks with local communications to and from the East Midlands Airport.

If you are using public transport to get to the airport, you have the following options:

OPTION 1) Take a train to Long Eaton or Loughborough station, Long Eaton is closer.
Take a bus, local service, stopping at East Midlands Airport.
Buses run at hourly intervals, the connection is a local service subject to delays etc.
Links: Traveline (buses), Trainline (trains)

OPTION 2) Take a train to Nottingham.
Take the Skylink service to East Midlands Airport.
Buses depart half hourly, connection is direct.
Links: Skylink (buses), Trainline (trains)

OPTION 3) National Express coach direct.
Links: National Express Website

I opted for option one which resulted in incurring a £15 taxi charge (£5 less than the flight itself) in order to get to the airport on time.

Scotch Broth

2004-07-28T14:10:00.000Z

Rather than hang around Wolverhampton for the Bank Holiday, I have decided to make journey north of the border. To Scotland to be precised.

I will be bringing bloggage from these foreign lands for you, the people.