The scattered ruins of Strome Castle cling to the hillside above Loch Carron, surrounded by rugged Highland scenery and dramatic skies.
Last Day
31st July
After having a nice long Sleep, it was time to have a look around Lochcarron, and Strome Castle was just down the road.
The National Trust for Scotland welcome sign marks the entrance to the historic ruins of Strome Castle.Stone ruins beside a loch under a cloudy Scottish sky.A loch view framed by the weathered stone archway of Strome Castle.The ruins of Strome Castle stand on a grassy headland, overlooking the calm waters of Loch Carron.
After this, I was going to Strathcarron, which is the next village over to get some food, but came across this. Someone had been going at quite a bit of speed and hit the side of a small stone bridge, please if you do come up to Scotland do be careful, especially if you aren't familiar with your car or width of your car. If you rent a car or motorhome, please also be extremely careful as they might be wider than you are used too and driving safe if more important than getting there quickly.
An overturned vehicle and road closure caused an unexpected delay on the journey through the Highlands.
So instead of the 2-hour detour that I would have had to take, I went back across the Bealach Na Ba to Applecross as I enjoyed the food at the inn last time and the weather was much better at the top.
Dark clouds gathered over the empty moorland, hinting at more Highland weather to come.Vast open moorland stretched to the horizon as dark clouds rolled across the Scottish Highlands.A dramatic view across the Highlands, with scattered islands and mountains visible beneath brooding skies.A sweeping panorama of the Scottish Highlands, where empty roads and vast moorland disappeared beneath a blanket of dark clouds.
When I got to the Applecross Inn, I was struggling to decide what to have as everything sounded delicious. After a little while I decided to have Haggis flambeed in Drambuie for my starter and a 10oz Scottish Sirloin Steak for my mains and both were delicious.
A traditional Scottish haggis, served simply with buttered oatcakes.A hearty Highland dinner of steak, chips, onion rings, mushrooms and peppercorn sauce.
Heading Home!
1nd August
The day after, it was time for the long drive home which I was aiming to do all in one day with a stop off at my cousins on the way back, but fate had a different idea as where the A82 and A85 meet at Tyndrum had been closed off due to a crash further down the road. The detour was going to take me back via Inveraray, but there had also been a crash there as well, so things were not looking good.
The diversion route led through classic Highland scenery, with purple rosebay willowherb lining the roadside and forests stretching into the distance.
Instead, I booked a last-minute hotel at Connel near Oban, called the Oyster Inn, as there was no way I was even going to make it to see my cousins anytime soon, plus I was getting tired. The Oyster Inn was awesome and was well worth the £99 per night to stay there including breakfast the next day.
The view from the hotel balcony across the loch, with mountains fading into the distance beneath an overcast Highland sky.After a long day on the road, the modern hotel room provided a comfortable place to relax for the night.The room also featured a spacious modern bathroom with a large walk-in shower.
Heading Home Again??
2nd August
By morning, the clouds had begun to break, revealing a much brighter view across the loch from the hotel balcony.Breakfast was a traditional Scottish affair, complete with bacon, sausage, haggis, fried egg, potato scone and baked beans.
The next day before setting off, I went to the Connel bridge, which used to be used as a railway bridge, but is now a single-track bridge with traffic lights at each end and was opened in 1903 (over 120 years ago).
Crossing the iconic Connel Bridge, with dark clouds hanging over Loch Etive and the surrounding Highland hills.A close-up of the original builder's plaque on Connel Bridge, showing it was constructed by Arrol's Bridge & Roof Co. of Glasgow in 1903.
The views from the bridge were amazing too.
Looking down from Connel Bridge, the fast-flowing tidal currents of the Falls of Lora swirl where Loch Etive meets the sea.A panoramic view from Connel Bridge, looking across Loch Etive towards the surrounding hills beneath dramatic Highland skies.Looking inland from Connel Bridge along Loch Etive, with calm waters reflecting the changing Highland skies and hills stretching into the distance.
After stopping off at my cousins on the way back, Cairn Lodge Services was my next destination, which is one of the sister services to Tebay Services, which is always busy and is a famous farm shop service station on the M6 in the lake district. I got some fish and chips and some sticky toffee pudding.
A classic fish and chips supper, served with chunky chips and garden peas after a long day on the road.To finish the meal, a generous helping of sticky toffee pudding arrived drenched in rich toffee sauce.
Unfortunately, it was getting late again, so I stopped off for the night at a place called Warrick Hall near Carlisle. It was a nice estate and included a really nice breakfast as well.
The final night's accommodation was a comfortable traditional hotel room, with floral furnishings and plenty of space to relax after the journey south.A quiet corner of the room, complete with a writing desk and views over the hotel grounds.The room's bathroom was surprisingly spacious, with a large walk-in shower and views overlooking the hotel grounds.The bathroom was exceptionally well equipped, featuring both a full-sized bath and a separate walk-in shower.The final night's hotel was an imposing sandstone building, looking even more atmospheric beneath the grey English skies.Stepping through the front door revealed an elegant entrance hall, complete with grand columns, polished wood floors and a sweeping staircase.
Getting Home, Finally!!
3rd August
The next morning, I woke up, had breakfast, wondered around the estate and then made my final part of the journey down to my home.
A hearty cooked breakfast provided the fuel needed for the final leg of the journey home.The terraced gardens at Warwick Hall offered sweeping views across the Cumbrian countryside, a peaceful final stop before the journey home.From the gardens at Warwick Hall, stone steps lead down towards the peaceful waters of the River Eden, with sheep grazing on the opposite bank.The long driveway winds through the landscaped grounds of Warwick Hall, with glimpses of the historic house visible between the trees.
I stopped off at Tebay services to get something to eat as well and then left and finally make it home after a while.
A final stop on the journey home at Tebay Services, whose award-winning timber-and-stone design is a world away from the average motorway service station.
I plan to come back to Scotland again, after passing my motorbike licence and going round the NC500 in 2027, but next on the agenda is a trip back to Japan.
