On the Search for Nessie and to the Highlands!

So, this past weekend (instead of actually dealing with that mountain of reading I was supposed to be tackling) I went with 40 other strangers on a five hour bus ride up to Loch Ness and through the Highlands.  IT WAS AWESOME!

Our bus driver's name was Tony and he wore a kilt (enough said!) However, he is originally from Italy -- don't let the accent fool you.  He was so funny... I mean he took his Mercedes company car (yes, the 41 seater bus) on roads that were windy and barely big enough to fit a Smart car.  It was terrible. But he was insistent that everyone always wear their seat belt just in case they were caught up by the DSL.  What is DSL? Well, apparently it is Deep Scottish Love and if you can feel it, then it will whisk you up and, hence, the need for seat belts.  But he also said that DSL can stand for Deep Sheep Love. Yikes! Do you know why Scottish men wear kilts? ...

We left each morning at 8 and got back around 8 at night.  They were definitely long days, but I got to see so much! INCLUDING, and probably most importantly 2 different pastures filled with the highland coo!!!! Hooray!! It was a great moment in my life.  And a few documentaries about the highlanders. It was a wonderful diversion of a weekend.  I hope the pics make up for my lack of story -telling.  You must understand I am a grandmother and I need to be getting to bed now.

 This is the River Tay.  I'm not really sure if it is something important, but it was really pretty- though they encouraged you not to swim in it's waters.

So picturesque! This is not one of the windy-er roads, but the view was great! I mean I am used to seeing gray all the time - and then we went around a corner and there was SUN!!!!!

I thought this was funny. Boot means trunk.

I don't know if this is important either, but this is Drunkfeld Cathedral  They still do church in the part of the building that does not belong to the Scottish Historical Society.

This is the part that is owned by the historical society.  The graves there were so old!

And the doors were so small! All I wanted was for Jake to be there so I could ask him to stand next to the door!

Bahhhhhhh. Other creatures besides the Highland Coo live here, but let's be honest the Coo is the ..... ready for it?? COOOOOOO-LEST! Get it?!

I mean, I am not interested in veggies for the most part.  But aren't these so cute!

This is a waterfall/pond/lake-ish thing where Queen Victoria swam.  And it is in her honor that I am actually sitting on a mossy/moldy rock thing. Yucky.

STAG CROSSING!

"Who wants to dress up like the Highlander???"

This is how you know you are in Loch Ness. Loch actually is German for (not Lake) but cavity.  Interesting factoid for you right there.

I think this is what the Scottish would call an Inverness (or entrance, but don't quote me on it) to the Loch.

 There is the Loch!!!

and there is me... on the loch! Proof!

I mean I stood out in the wind for like 10 minutes.  Naturally I needed a drink. The guy on the left is Tony (the tour guide), then Sam and Kate.

Not just any beer.... read that label on the left carefully...

OMG!!! NESSIE SPOTTING!!!

nom nom nom nom nom

one cooooooooo!

2 coooooo!

mom and baby coo!

this boat was stuck on the rocks. Clearly I pointed and laughed; then took a picture.

On day two we went to The Famous Grouse whiskey distillery.  It is the oldest legal distillery in Scotland. 

Drinking whiskey at 11AM? Normal.

haha.

Their ads were very funny.  Here, the grouse is having a bad hair day.

These are the Falls of Dochart.  SO pretty.

Our driver didn't even have the decency to stop!! But those are the tracks that the HOGWARTS EXPRESS is filmed traveling on in HARRY POTTER!

This is Helen.  Helen is Hamish's (the famous Coo below, duh) partner.  However, there is a bit of drama around their otherwise picture perfect love affair.  Helen is pregnant and not by Hamish.  DRAMA.

The blighted lover, Hamish.

And finally, this is the monument memorial to William Wallace.  Braveheart, anyone?