Tammie Macintyre-Steeves

Scotland is packed with amazing scenery, unbelievable history, unique experiences and incredibly friendly people!   A long overdue multi generational trip in 2022 that included my father, his sister and some of his children and grandchildren definitely allowed us to experience all of these things together as a family and did not disappoint.  Memories were made together and family bonds made stronger on a three week self drive itinerary. It included visiting islands, lowlands, highlands, cities and  venturing on roads less travelled. Our adventure began arriving at Glasgow airport where we picked up our two rentals -SUV’s for our group.  Picking up my aunt from her gorgeous flat in an old estate mansion in Paisley that I affectionately call “little Downton Abbey” we began our journey towards Edinburgh heading south to the Scottish Borders.  An area of rolling lush green hills and a lot of turbulent history of battles between the Scottish and the English crowns over land and independence.  We enjoyed exploring the area with an incredible three nights in the self catering apartments at Thirlestane Castle in Lauder.  Greeted at the gate by the present owner of the castle - Edward Maitland was a pleasant surprise and he provided a fantastic introduction to the castle. The castle provided a great base to explore from offering us a relaxing space to cook and connect with each other in the mornings and evenings.  So much history and natural beauty to enjoy here in this part of Scotland.  Visiting Traquair House - Scotland’s oldest inhabited house was a definite highlight steeped in history having been visited by 27 Scottish Kings and Queens dating back to 1107.   Incredibly the Stuart family has lived there since 1491. Our journey continued north as we headed to Inverness.stopping to enjoy Falkirk an area my dad spent his teen years and then stopping at the engineering feat known as the Falkirk Wheel, the boat lift that once again connects the Forth and the Clyde rivers after many years. Continuing on through beautiful Perthsire with a stop for lunch and a little shopping in Pitlochry.  Quickly through the Cairngorms to Inverness to enjoy the evening with cousins - good food and traditional music in the Inverness pubs. From Inverness we began our journey to the Far North along the North Coast 500 route.  Destination John O’Groats where my father spent the first ten years of his life.  Stopping along route at Dunrobin Castle and its gorgeous gardens you would think you were in France as this castle is very different in its French Renaissance and Scottish Baronial architecture style. To me though there is nothing like visiting a castle in ruins and really trying to imagine what it once was like.   Located in a dramatic location on the Caithness coastline is such a ruined castle gem - Castle Sinclair Girnigoe comprising the impressive ruins of two castles.  We finished the day watching the sun setting at the breathtaking Duncansby Stacks topped off with a fabulous meal at the Seaview Hotel. An early start next morning  to catch the ferry to the Orkney islands for our bus tour. It was a fantastic day spent exploring areas of natural beauty, attractions and ancient mysteries you will find on Orkney like the Viking built Magnus Cathedral,  the ornate Italian Chapel built by prisoners of war during World War II, the Neolithic henge and stone circle Ring of Brodgar.  Visiting  Skara Brae one of the best preserved prehistoric villages in Western Europe that is older than Stonehenge and even the Pyramids was a real pinch me moment. We continued our drive along the top of Scotland on the North Coast 500 to Ullapool to catch our ferry to the Isle of Lewis and Harris.  This is the unspoilt Far North and the scenery is truly out of this world! Travelling to the Isle of Lewis and Harris always feels like coming home to me.  This is where my grandmother was born and grew up.  It is two islands in one with dramatic contrasting landscapes, incredible white sand beaches and turquoise waters, wild mountains, rugged coastlines, ancient standing stones and a Gaelic culture with history that continues today. This was a time of connection with family still living there and just unplugging while relaxing, enjoying walks on the isolated beaches, on the moor with sheep, and fishing. Returning to the mainland we finished up our final days on this incredible journey in Fort William where my grandfather grew up staying in an inn on the property of Inverlochy Castle where you can enjoy breakfast in the castle.  Driving through the incredible and breathtaking Glencoe still blows me away every time!  Our final stops which we thoroughly enjoyed before returning to Paisley were at St. Conan’s Kirk and Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe before spending our final night on the road at the unique accommodation - the old Victorian Dalmally train station where trains still stop chickens wander the platform and a the friendliest welcome awaits. What a journey!