For the past three months we’ve been faffing around trying to decide where to take an autumn break, following building work in our home. We finally decided on a trip to Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia but several things have conspired against us, principally Brexit.
As the UK nears its (latest) deadline of 31 October, we wondered if it would be wise to be away from the UK in October at all. The £ has collapsed and who knows what might happen as the deadline gets nearer? And as news-junkies, well, we’d be missing so much entertainment back home.
All of which is a long-winded way of saying we are now going to Scotland. In our own car which means as much luggage as we fancy (and you need a lot for Scotland) and as much camera gear as necessary. It also means no airports or passports, though that might change if wee Nicola gets her way.
Our itinerary is based on a well-known drive - the North Coast 500. This is a popular route, hotels are few and far between up there in the far north and they are booked up sometimes a year in advance. Many of the hotels in Scotland haven’t moved on since the 1950s. So here goes:
Inverlochy Castle, Fort William (1 night)
Loch Torridon, Torridon (1 night)
The Plockton Hotel, Plockton (1 night)
Newton Lodge B&B, Unapool (3 nights)
Granary Lodge, Mey (2 nights)
Rocpool Reserve, Inverness (2 nights)
Kinloch House, Blairgowrie (1 night)
The Plockton Hotel is in Scotland’s prettiest coastal village. It’s probably a two-star but we’re staying there in the hope of getting a decent dawn photograph of nearby Eilean Donan Castle.
Newton Lodge is a newly renovated B&B near Klyesku in majestic scenery. Two miles from Newton Lodge, is the appealing Kylesku Hotel which is booked up months ahead but we’ll probably take all our meals there.
Granary Lodge is part of the Castle of Mey estate, which was once the home of Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother. On her death, the estate was inherited by HRH The Prince of Wales who holidays there every August. He has recently opened a smart-looking B&B, Granary Lodge where we will stay for two nights.
We always try and avoid Glasgow and Edinburgh and just concentrate on the wild, wet and wonderful.