We cleared out of our flat during the morning; took one bag with us for our excursion to the Highlands and left one bag at Robin’s flat. We also left bits of food and laundry detergent for Robin as well. We then went looking for a watch for Robin’s graduation present. Bought a Tag Heur.
We went across the street from the watch shop to Centro Tre for lunch. I had some yummy Scottish clams.
Robin headed back to his flat to pack a bag. Scott and I went to the Barbour store to get hats for rain, midgies, the wee mosquito like bugs, and/or sun.We went to Waverley and found huge queues for the agents and the ticket machines. We decided just to hop on the train and pay on board. It was more expensive, £57.30 for 3 one way tickets to Dundee.
Kim called us from her mobile to let us know she had boarded at Haymarket but the train was so crowded we couldn’t sit together.
We arrived at Dundee about 4:10 p.m. and met up with Kim. Ronnie, who had been in Dundee for work, was waiting for us with his car in the car park across from the station.
From the station, we could see the Discovery, the ship that took Robert Scott on his first voyage to the Antarctic.
We drove through rain and roadworks to Monachyle Mhor, a hotel near Balquhidder on Loch Voil in the Trossachs National Park. Ronnie’s Tom Tom, a GPS system, guided us along amusing Scott and me with directions in a British accent. It had a bit of trouble getting us right to the hotel, but since we were on a single lane road with a loch on one side and mountain on the other, we had no where to go but forward. We arrived without the guidance system.
Our room was in the corner of the courtyard behind the main hotel building. Called “The Byre”, it had a bedroom as well as a little alcove with a bed for Robin.
Ronnie had arranged for a bottle of champage chilling in our room upon arrival. We sipped champagne as we freshened up. At 7:30 we went to the “farmhouse” for pre-dinner libations and amuse bouches in the lounge.
Midnight, the dog sleepingWe moved to the dining room, which overlooks the Loch, for starters of Kyle of Forgue oysters, sorbet, cream of mushroom and cauliflower soup. I had quail, Scott had pork, the others had hake. Puddings — panna cotta, chocolate and Baileys mousse, strawberries and chocolate pave.
After dinner, we played bridge but I could hardly stay awake.
LHWatson's Travel Blog 