Darlo's World

大きな地図で見る

We’ve reached the top, so I guess it’s all down south from here (ish). Having added 820 miles to the clock just getting here, we headed to the official starting point.

After nosing through the various souvenir shops, visiting the small museum (which led us back into one of the souvenir shops), and explaining to a small group of American tourists that they weren’t a mere “30 or so kilometers” from London (you’d have thought they would have seen the sign), we were on our way.

As this was our first day of serious driving distance wise (according to google maps our entire route would take 7 hours 20 minutes), I made sure to stop along the way for quick rests. The mountains of Scotland are beautiful, though a little strange. After waking up from a quick nap in a layby, I opened the door of the car to see a dead crustacean.

We took a short break in Inverness for some lunch, and to also meet up with a friend. Ironically while she was regaling us with a tale about a crash at an accident hot spot (while we were walking right next to it), there was almost another crash between a bus and a car; the car had jumped a red light. I love good timing.

Next on our stop was the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and, if we could time it right, seeing the Steam Train ride across it. Those Harry Potter (& the Chamber of Secrets I’m told) fans will know it as an iconic bridge where … something happened. I won’t lie I don’t know anything about HP unless it’s related to sauce. Is this the route to Hogwarts? Didn’t he get the train from London? What’s it doing up here in Scotland? Unfortunately we were too late to see the train itself, that only runs twice a day, but the viaduct was still very impressive. If only the rain didn’t dampen the fun (commence booing).

We left the viaduct and went southward towards Falkirk. The mountainous roads seemed endless, and the weather had become much worse. Dangerous as it got, we couldn’t help but gander over at the way the clouds were just falling across the mountains (and the sodding road).

I wanted to try and squeeze in a visit to Loch Lomond since we were somewhats in the vicinity, but with the weather being what could only be described as pretty shitty, we kept on course. To be fair, I only wanted to go there so I could sing the song (like a bit of a twat, I know).

We arrived at our hotel in Falkirk tired and sodden. The Shat-Nav had sent us to the wrong area of Falkirk and we had a hell of a time finding the hotel, and the rain came down harder than ever. But that didn’t matter, for this place had free internet access.

So I’ve made it back to Shropshire in one piece (though my back feels like it’s in four or five), and so it’s time to crack on with telling you about the trip.

Day Three – Dundee to John O Groats

大きな地図で見る

Bloody good breakfast. Yum.

We left the hotel and headed north, stopping early along the way for a couple of pictures.


Driving through the hills of Scotland really was quite fun. We had empty roads and great weather. Normally when I think of Scotland I just think of cold rainy weather, the complete opposite of what we had on day 3.

After passing through Inverness, we headed back down south a bit to Loch Ness, in hope of catching a glance of the famed Loch Ness Monster (do you remember The Family Ness cartoon?).

The Loch itself is a lot bigger than I’d anticipated, but it was good to drive along side it.


As I expected Loch Ness contained a lot of tourist attractions. History of the Loch, information on expeditions, a very interesting set of toilets, free parking, and even something for the pets.


And of course, we found him.

I think the reason so many people fail to find him is that he’s actually no longer living in the main lake, but a smaller lake right next to Loch Ness (and right next to a gift shop, coincidentally).

We left the beautiful Loch Ness and headed North. Far North. In fact, we went all the way north!

We went right up to Dunnet Head, the most northern point of mainland Britain (though many think John O Groats holds that honour). It was quite late so we didn’t really see much, so after having a look at the nearby lighthouse we headed to the John O Groats Youth Hostel, where we were to stay the night. Coincidentally, we met another Japanese traveller.