After the time in Wick and the Orkneys it became more exploratory sightseeing. The train ride to Kyle of Lochalsh via Dingwall was a plethora of different geologic and geographic moments. Other than most shops being closed as it was Monday, everything was spectacular.

From Kyle we journeyed through parts of the Isle of Skye to Teangue, a village that makes Harrington ON seem like a metropolis. The hotel was very high end (& was the only one available) as was dinner at its sister Inn. The next day woke us up to storms: high winds and heavy rain. After a visit to a neat, small new distillery (I will review it later) and hearing the ferries were shut down, two kindly ladies from Calgary offered us a ride back through Kyle to Fort William. There we could catch a train to Mallaig where we had a reserved hotel reservation.

This gave us another view of the Western Highlands which turned out to be spectacular in its own right. Got to see some major logging sites as well various recreational lakes (lochs). We made it to Fort William in time to see one of the Harry Potter trains (The Jacobite) before boarding our more regular West Highlander. The run to Mallaig included crossing the amazing horseshoe viaduct bridge seen in many Harry Potter films.

Mallaig is quaint, perhaps a mini-Prince Rupert. The hotel was nice as was the nearby pub wherein dinner was served. The next day was another intriguing ride all the way to Glasgow with countless changes in scenery including the beautiful Loch Lomond.

To see Glasgow it had been recommended to try the “hop on/hop off” bus. Great advice and would have flawless had the winds not come up bringing pelting rain. Oh well at least saw the city and ended up at the Piper Bar with its many scotches to sample and great food offerings to eat. After this it was back to Edinburgh and then via tram to the airport (EDI) and a short walk to the hotel. Next day flew to YVR via YYZ.

And after watching the BC Lions win the right to host a home playoff game in November by defeating the Roughriders I am now almost back in my study.

It has been an interesting voyage… Hopefully your October will be às thought-provoking…

.gw