Short Getaway in Scottish Highlands (Part 1)

When I was in the UK earlier this year, I went to many interesting touristy places.  I spent 23 days in the UK, I went to London, Amesbury, Edinburgh, Stirling, Dunfermline, St. Andrew, Roslin, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Highlands.  This time I want to write about my most favorite place in the UK, the highlight of my UK Trip.  Yeap, if you follow my Instagram account you can probably guess it right.  It’s the the Scottish Highlands.  

Loch Ness

Winter isn’t really my favorite season, especially in the UK, no offense, but it’s really not cool traveling in the pouring rain.  However, I already had my trip scheduled, and booked everything, except for Highlands.  I canceled my booking in the Isle of Skye, making it tentative, depending on the weather. 

I was staying in Aberdeen that time and my “traveling partner” decided to rent a car and go for 1 day trip to Highlands.  Yes, it’s impossible to cover Isle of Skye in just one short day, it takes 6 hours driving from Aberdeen to Portree, I believe.  So, we decided to go to Urquhart Castle and either Glenfinnan or Eilean Donan Castle. 

The weather was beautiful, it’s still cold but it was sunny and if you live in the UK, you will certainly understand how lucky it is to find a sun in winter.  I was in such a great mood that day, I was so excited, probably the only unfortunate thing was that we left home a bit late around 10-ish in the morning.  If we have had left home earlier, we would have spent more time in Inverness, exploring the city perhaps.

Yea, a little back-light or amateur technique.

The road trip from Aberdeen to Inverness was surprisingly pleasant.  Although it was a long journey, the landscape was amusing.  We took couple of stops to get a few shot on the side of the road.   The view was indescribable, especially when we passed by Loch Ness.  Well, geographically Urquhart Castle is located on the shores of Loch Ness, between Inverness and Fort William, so yeah!  Urquhart Castle is one of the most picturesque landmark in Scotland and the largest castle and stronghold of medieval Scotland and also from this area around this castle that many of ‘Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster’ sightings have taken place. 

The castle is very important as Urquhart witnessed considerable conflict throughout its 500 years as a medieval fortress and its history from the 1200s to the 1600s was particularly bloody.  Following the invasion of King Edward I of England in 1296, it fell into English hands and was then reclaimed and lost again.  In the 1300s it figured prominently in the Scots struggle for independence and came under the control of Robert the Bruce after he became King of Scots in 1306. (historic-scotland.gov.uk) 

Just a tip, before you visit Urquhart Castle, just make sure that they’re open that day, although it’s open for public all year round, a phone call wouldn’t hurt.  For more info about visitation please click here. 

If any of you wonder what is that on my head, well, like I said, although it's sunny it's still cold.  So, I turn my scarves to a headband instead, really warm.  :D 

What a sight!

The fact that not many people visiting the ruins that day was just perfect, it’s really easy to get a clear shot.  I spent around 1 hour there and then off to the next destination, Glenfinnan Viaduct. 

Check out my Instagram account @anggiangela for more traveling pictures or some other random pictures :p