A Highland Holiday 1 of 2

Well that was an interesting holiday during Storms Ciara and Dennis!  After a very long and exhausting journey by coach we arrived at The Highland Hotel in Fort William, Scotland.

At breakfast the following morning it was announced that due to the inclement weather it was too risky on the roads to venture out so a whole day stretched out before us with the wind raging and the rain lashing at the windows.   

A notice was soon displayed to tell residents of a Tai Chi session in the Function Room which I was drawn to.  Having done a little before I'm always ready to learn more.  Our instructor was Shaun Folds, trained by Master Faye Yip based in Telford, Shropshire.  Shaun holds classes in Hull if you live near do look him up or visit www.deyin.taiji.com for further information.

I was so chilled and relaxed afterwards, a great unwinder from the stress of travelling all the previous day, that I found myself at the hotel reception offering to put on a Writing Workshop in the afternoon for anyone interested.  A small group attended between 4-5 pm and I really enjoyed leading them in four writing exercises using pictures from a magazine as writing prompts.  I started with a simple one minute sentence exercise, then a 3 minutes and then a 10 minute write.  Finally we started a story with (appropriately) 'One stormy day.....'  At each stage we shared our scribbles, had some laughter and at the end I was clapped and thanked.  Such a lovely time.  

On Monday 10th February we had a short excursion to Ben Nevis Distillery - well you just have to consume some whiskey whilst in Scotland.  The tour was interesting and the cafe was a blessing as it was so cold outside - not all the tour was inside.  

I now have my very own 'tot' glass so joining the ranks of whisky drinkers!  We visited the distillery on a day when the Scottish news reported about four young lads had been rescued from Ben Nevis by helicopter the previous day (Storm Ciara at its worst).  They were not equipped to be climbing a mountain and were wearing trainers!  Really???  Did not one of them think to turn back and save the rescue costs?  Soooooo dangerous.

The coach dropped us off in Fort William town and we braved the elements to see the shops, cafes etc.  And on the evening the entertainment of Bingo followed by a singer/musician was enjoyed by many.

Tuesday was Inverness day stopping at Fort Augustus and then Loch Ness - no I didn't spot Nessie. Our driver, Sandra Deak, who was from Hungary but lived in UK for 8 years, was very informative of what to see along the route and also made sure we were all returned to our coach seats before setting off.  Inverness is a lovely town with a good mixture of old and new buildings.  

Victorian Market

Town House, High Street

Leakey's Bookshop, Church Street

A Highland Holiday 2 of 2

  Mallaig

Thursday was the last day of trips out on the www.lochsandglens.com coach holiday.  I have to say that the company (hotel and coach combined) have organisation down to a tee.  All meals in the hotel were staggered between three groups/coaches; service at the tables was most excellent; all the staff were pleasant and rooms were spacious.

So off we set again, this time for the port town of Oban, the gateway to the islands.  The scenery en route was fabulous - it was like being driven through a winter wonderland in the Glen Coe area.  Stags and deer were grazing by the roadside having come down from snowy heights.

The sun actually shone warmly in Oban and we walked the main street looking for somewhere to have lunch.  I fancied some Cullen Skink - leek, potato and smoked haddock - a typical Scottish soup.

Having found Coast Restaurant www.coastoban.co.uk in George Street we went inside and found it a delightful place to spend some time in.  I don't normally post pictures of food but it was so well presented and yummy I just had to take pictures.

To sweeten up afterwards I had Rhubarb with honeycomb crunch and ice cream.

The final journey home was very long and besides a comfort break at www.thegreenwellystop.co.uk Tyndrum and www.visitmoffat.co.uk Moffat Mill just off the M74 at Junction 15, I had a numb backside. It is nice to go away but nice too to be home.