My annual summer trip abroad with students and family was outstanding. We went to London and Scotland. We got back yesterday, so as I organize my photos, I will offer one today. Our group went to the Highland Mountains and visited Loch Ness. From Wikipedia: “Urquhart Castle is a fortress that sits beside Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland. The castle is on the A82 road, 21 kilometres south-west of Inverness and 2 kilometres east of the village of Drumnadrochit. The present ruins date from the 13th to the 16th centuries, though built on the site of an early medieval fortification.”
Dark waters caused by peat deposits obscure Nessie the monster and the actual depth of the loch. We enjoyed our visit exploring the ruins including a boat ride. I haven’t been to Scotland since 1984 when I was in the Navy and stationed above the Highland Mountains at Thurso, the northern tip. It was a homecoming. More photos forthcoming.
Cindy Bruchman 
Oh my, back already? That seems to have gone quickly.
I know this castle, from numerous trip to the area. Looking forward to more memories, Cindy. 🙂
At least you must have enjoyed the unusually good weather?
Best wishes, Pete. x
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It was exceptional. Only rained on once in London. It was a 10 day trip.
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Phew! That went by so fast, Cindy! :)x
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Yes. A lot of steps I climbed. It worked off all the fish n chips and pints I consumed.
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It is beautiful, I’ve visited there many moons ago, glad to see it unchanged. Very glad you had good weather, London though 🤪 when you could have come to Newcastle instead! 😃
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We were fortunate the weather was so pleasant. What struck me in Scotland was how pristine it all was. Nothing had changed in 35 years since I was last there!
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That is a spectacular shot! I’ve always wanted to go to Scotland – did you find it easy to travel there? Love to see more from this great adventure!
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Hiya John,
Oh, it was marvelous. A whirlwind adventure. I have designs to return and stay for a week or two instead. Slow the pace down, rent a car, stay in an Air BnB, etc.. The group travel is fun and I love watching the students’ eyes widen with amazement. I highly recommend it. Stay tuned, soon as I catch my breath, I’ll share some favorite pictures.
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Cant wait, thanks for the update!
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Brother Bruce claims he stayed in Inverness Castle way back in the 70’s. It’s closed to the public now, so that was a pretty special experience.
Doubt I’ll ever get over there.
This time around.
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Hi JC. Well, unfortunately we drove around it. I didn’t get to stay and visit longer–that’s for a future trip probably when I retire. I don’t know if you can sleep in IC or not. But, it was a beautiful return and I’m pining for it, still.
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He said that you could stay there in those days. But they closed it to that later. I figure sleeping in a castle would be pretty cool – if there wasn’t any ghosts around.
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Some would love to sleep with ghosts. Not me. I’m a big chicken.
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love the lines, the shapes, the colors
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Thank you, my friend. I am experiencing emotional withdrawal. The region truly speaks to me.
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Spectacular photography. What a lonely place that would have been to live. One wonders what they would have to fortify against in medieval times up there.
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The English. Other Clans. 🙂
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They always had to watch out for the English! 🙂
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And the English had to watch out for them. 😉
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Beautiful photos as usual 🙂 I am glad that you, your students and your family enjoyed the trip to both London and Scotland 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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Thanks, John. It was a special occasion that I will never forget.
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As far as I know, during WW2, people were posted to Thurso as a punishment. Having said that, when I visited some forty years ago, it was a nice little ferry port with some terrifyingly spectacular cliffs. People still see the monster, by the way, and it remains quite a mystery, despite all of the faked photographs.
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Since we have alligators in the states and other parts of the world have living dinosaurs, and I’ve heard the depth is 900 feet, it seems plausible to me that a sea creature has survived the centuries. Those sterrifyingly spectacular cliffs are etched in my heart. I remember after a watch standing on the edge of them and the wind and the spray and the ancient aura affected me beyond measure.
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Nicely described, too
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Ta, my friend!
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Oh nice!!! I bet you had a tremendous time. What a fabulous first image.
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Hi, Keith! Yea, it was special because my son and grand daughter joined me. On multiple levels it was a successful, memorable experience.
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Oh that makes it even better! Was it your granddaughter’s first trip abroad?
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Yes. She’s a smart 12-year-old who bunked with three 16-year-old darlings. But, there was Dad and Grandma to hang out with, too. She is on the shy side and it was great to see her blossom. 🙂
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Sounds like you’ve had a great summer trip 🙂
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It was great. One of the best ones I’ve ever had.
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I’m glad the trip went well and look forward to more coverage. I have fond memories of Scotland.
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Oh good. We have to share. ☺
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I hope to do some posts about my family’s trip to the UK in 2002 soon.
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We did 3 days in Edinburgh and a highlight was Loch Lomond.
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Sounds like the same trip! We, too. I’d like to return for the summer. Hopefully when I retire.
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How wonderful. Looking forward to more.
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Thanks, Jennie. Hopefully this,weekend.
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Great!
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That is a beautiful sight. I’m going to ask my friend, who lives in Fife, if he has been there. I looked for Nessie in your photo, alas did not see her.
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She,was deep at the bottom, no doubt. 😉
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