EURO 07 - West Highlands Lochs & Castles

Highland venture is definitely a great experience in Scotland. We joint a local day-tour to explore the natural beauty and luck that it was leaded by a patient, young and pretty Scottish lady. Though she carries a strong Scottish accent, it is still really nice to spend a full day with her and the rest. Her great patience to equip us with the historical background of the sites visit continuously throughout the trip and those Scottish jokes sharing is highly appreciated. We were brought to the place completely different from those commercial sites but full of picturesque scene. Below are the details of path to capture the spirit of the Western Highlands of Scotland and explore some of its most atmospheric Lochs and Castles for your interest.

Travel west from Edinburgh, past Stirling castle to our first stop at Doune Castle. Stirling castle was once known as the 'Key to Scotland', and it was here that William Wallace defeated the English army in 1297. After William Wallace's death it was Robert the Bruce who continued the fight for independence and we will pass the site of his most famous victory in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn. Then we arrive at the fantastic medieval stronghold of Doune castle. Built for Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany, over 600 years ago the castle is still in great condition. You might even have seen the castle before, it was made famous by the film 'Monty Python and The Holy Grail', with many scenes filmed here.

We then continue a little further on to Callander. After a short coffee stop we cross the Highland boundary fault line leaving the rolling farms for the wild mountains and forests of the Highlands. We will make a short stop at Loch Luibnaig before we continue over the Braes of Balquhidder, the final resting place of Highland outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. Made famous by Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy was a sort of Highland Robin Hood, he stole from the rich, but never quite got round to giving it to the poor.

From Balquhidder the tour winds its way through the tough knot of mountains known as Breadalbane (meaning the 'high country of Scotland') down to Dalmally and our lunch stop. Shortly after lunch we will see Kilchurn Castle, a magnificent ruin situated in the middle of Loch Awe and former home of the Campbells of Breadalbane. We will continue along the banks of Loch Awe through Campbell country to the picturesque town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne. Here you can visit the 18th-century castle and home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan. The town was built at the same time as the castle and has the air of a classic 18th-century planned village with its straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses. You can take time to explore the town and maybe call at the Old Jail or the maritime museum, the Arctic Penguin.

Leaving Inveraray, we take a drive up through the steep-sided mountains known as the Arrochar Alps to the great viewpoint at 'Rest and Be Thankful'. It was given its name in 1753 by the weary soldiers who had just finished building the old military road up through Glen Croe. From here we skirt around Loch Long and down to the Bonnie, Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. We make a short stop at the conservation village of Luss, with its quaint houses and stunning views across the loch. At 17.30 we make our way back to Edinburgh, with a short photo stop underneath Stirling Castle.

Reference: Rabbie’s Trail Burners