Road Trip Around Scotland Part 5 (Edinburgh)

On the final day morning we wakeup around 8am and was very tired from the continuous high milage road trip. But we soldier on hoping to finish our final destination of covering the city of Edinburgh.
So after having a hearty english breakfast from Travelodge Edinburgh Central hotel we packed our stuffs and checkout from the hotel.

Travelodge Edinburgh Central hotel was in the hart of Edinburgh and it was a 20 minutes walk, so rather than taking the vehicle we decided to explore the area on foot, leaving the vehicle in the car park.

Travelodge Edinburgh Central hotel 

St Giles' Cathedral Edinburgh

Scottish Bagpipe player

Near the Edinburgh Castle there was a Whisky shop call "The Scotch Whisky Experience". Although we were planning to go to see a whisky distillery tour Isle of Skye, but didn't got time to do it. So we decided to checkout "The Scotch Whisky Experience" (https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/).

The Scotch Whisky Experience Edinburgh

The Scotch Whisky Experience Edinburgh

Dalmore Constellation 1966 Cask 7 - very expensive(£18,500)

The Scotch Whisky Experience Edinburgh

After going though the "The Scotch Whisky Experience" shop, we continued our journey towards the Edinburgh Castle. Due to the reason that castle is situated in higher ground in middle of Edinburgh, we can see the city clearly from the castle.

Edinburgh Castle

View of Edinburgh City

View of Edinburgh City

Edinburgh Castle Guard

Edinburgh Castle Entrance

Normally Edinburgh Castle will take 2 to 3 hours to explore the whole castle. But we were in a tight schedule to go back to Stoke On Trent early on that day and avoid all the, long weekend traffic made by the holiday makers. So we decided not to go inside the castle this time and try to explore the city a bit and get ready to the long journey back to Stoke On Trent.

While we were coming back we met the Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who marching towards the castle for some ceremony. Below are some clicks of them and city of Edinburgh.

The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland

The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland

The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Going for a wedding?

After having some sandwiches for lunch from a supermarket we started our long way back(250 miles) to Stoke On Trent. 

It was a nice drive back home with green grass lands and mountains.

Sheep

More sheep

More Grass land

We arrived safely at Stoke On Trent around 6 pm and it conclude our road trip around Scotland.

Enjoy!

Road Trip Around Scotland Part 3 (Isle Of Skye)

We wakeup following day around 8 am, after having breakfast, we packed up our gear and saying farewell to our friendly host of Flora Macdonald Hostel, we continued the expedition of Isle of Skye.

Flora Macdonald Hostel

Weather was on our side, with lot of sunshine, we cruise along enjoying the beautiful landscape of Isle of Skye.

Isle of Skye Landscape

Isle of Skye Landscape

We arrived at Coral Beach in Claigan, which gives a magical feel due to the white sand surround by black coloured beach and seaweed that makes the water look tropical blue. 

Coral Beach in Claigan

Coral Beach in Claigan

After spending several hours exploring the beach and sorting our lunch, we went on to our next destination Dunvegan Castle(https://www.dunvegancastle.com/).

Dunvegan Castle

Dunvegan Castle view from distance

Dunvegan Castle view from distance

Near the Dunvegan castle, there was seal boat trips, due to the popularity of boat trip over the castle  visit, we decided to go on the boat trip see some Seals.

Seal boat trip

Seals

More Seals

After the boat trip, we decided to go to the place we staying for the second night. We booked rooms in Raasay House(https://www.raasay-house.co.uk/) in Isle of Raasay. Isle of Rassay is a small island that separated from Isle of Skye and only connection between the two islands was the ferry that travel every hour.

Ferry jetty entrance

Waiting for Isle of Raasay ferry

Arrival of Isle of Raasay ferry

Everyone aboard the Isle of Raasay ferry 

Isle of Raasay ferry control room

After arriving at Raasay House we had our dinner and went straight to bed, dreaming of adventures of next day.

To be continued.... 

Road Trip Around Scotland Part 2 (Fort William)

From Glasgow we continued our journey to Fort William, another 100 miles towards Northern part of Scotland.

Our next stop was Steall Waterfall near Fort William, second highest waterfall in UK. As you can see from the photos, the roads and surrounding leading to the waterfall was mostly covered with rugged mountains. And to go near to the waterfall you have to go on foot, parking the vehicle bit further. So that what we did.

After spending around 2 hours near the Steall Waterfall and finishing our lunch, it was time to go to our final destination on the first day and our lodging place "Flora Macdonald Hostel" in Isle of Skye.

On the way to the Flora Macdonald Hostel we stopped at a super market to buy cooking stuffs for our dinner and next day breakfast.

It was nearly around 7pm when we came near to the Skye Bridge that links the mainland and Isle of Skye. From there it was another 30 minutes journey to our over night stay. 

Owner of the hostel came to greet us, show us the rooms where we are staying. The hostel had a Wood Burning Stove which was nice addition, it was getting bit cold so we had our dinner sitting around the wood burner and enjoy with singing some songs. We went to our beds around 11pm thinking of the next days adventures in Isle of Skye.

To be continued...