by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 29, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
Today needed to be a chill day considering we (I) was still sore after the hikes. We went to the Glencoe visitor center and checked out their replica turf and creel (a kind of wooden weaving) house from the time the massacre happened. We found some fun souvenirs like... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 29, 2023 | Blog, Terry
At the ‘craic’ of whatever o’clock we headed out to explore the Glen Coe visitors centre to find out more about this beautiful part of the world and it was well worth the trip. It told of the history of the area and in particular the mountains and... by Terry Thorpe | Jul 29, 2023 | Blog, Terry
At the ‘craic’ of whatever o’clock we headed out to explore the Glen Coe visitors centre to find out more about this beautiful part of the world and it was well worth the trip. It told of the history of the area and in particular the mountains and... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 28, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
After picking up a few Scottish souvenirs, we left Fort Augustus and drove to Glen Coe. This was the place where a big massacre happened in the 17th century where the MacDonald clan was killed by the Campbells. Our hotel still has a sign that says: “No hawkers or... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 28, 2023 | Blog, Terry
We left Fort Augustus, stopping by the gift shops to pick up some essentials we decided we couldn’t live without and made for Glen Coe and a portion of our trip I was very excited about. On the way we visited the Commando and First world war monuments as well as... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 27, 2023 | Blog, Terry
We got up and made breakfast at our hostel before venturing out to explore Fort Augustus, a place I’d been keen to show Katrine after it had made such a positive impression on me during my last visit when I sailed through it on the Caledonian Canal. There... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 27, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
It was time for a chill day after the arduous Ben Nevis hike. We slept in since we were lucky enough to have our hostel room to ourselves, and then found a tea room where we had tea and scones with clotted cream for a kind of breakfast. We wandered around Fort... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 26, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
After waking in our sleeper train, we made our way to the Ben Nevis visitor center. The weather has been dodgy and today looked like it the best day for hiking. And so it was, no rain, cold weather or strong wind, and just the right amount of cloudy. The hike up was... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 26, 2023 | Blog, Terry
The morning started with a quick walk through the nearby Glenfinnan railway museum which, although small, was surprisingly informative and well done. With a break in the inclement weather, we decided to take on the mighty mount of Ben Nevis, which translated from the... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 25, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
Today was a day of driving around the Isle of Skye, more specifically the Trotternish loop, for some scenery. The views included the Trotternish Ridge, Quiraing, the Old man of Storr (supposedly a buried giant whose thumb is still visible), and the one pictured here:... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 25, 2023 | Blog, Terry
After a hearty bowl of porridge at our lovely wee hostel we headed into the heart of Skye, driving a circuit of the beautiful Trotternish loop before ending up in Portree. The Isle had a dark and stormy beauty and a rugged landscape to match. Our next stop was... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 24, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
Aviemore’s Old Bridge Inn was our accommodation for the night, and we headed out early for a paddle on Loch Morlich in kayaks. I loved the trusting ducks that would come over and expect a nibble. We drove through Inverness and along Loch Ness, but no sighting of the... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 24, 2023 | Blog, Terry
We started our morning on the waters of Loch Morlich accompanied by the occasional curious duck. We kayaked on the lovely, wind free loch and although the sun didn’t show up the rain was thankfully absent and the beach was lovely. After our watery adventure we... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 23, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
Our lovely guest house in Elgin provided us with a great breakfast that even included some color and non-fried items, a rarity in Scotland. Our trip went on to the Culloden battlefield where the Jacobites (remember Jamie from Outlander? That side) suffered a brutal... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 23, 2023 | Blog, Terry
After a hearty breakfast and reluctantly saying farewell to our lovely guesthouse we made for Culloden. The battlefield where the Jacobite uprising of 1746 met its fateful end. It’s a familiar tale to me but never fails to stir something in my national pride. I... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 22, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
Today was the closest to a Scottish baptism as I could come. A “wee” train ride from Dufftown to Keith with a visit to Strathisla distillery where they make the Chivas whisky. A tasting flight was of course in order, which I had to be responsible for since Terry was... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 22, 2023 | Blog, Terry
We left our lovely guesthouse and made our way to Dufftown to ride the whisky line from Dufftown to Keith. After a charming chug through the Scottish countryside we arrived in Keith, a lovely wee village. Seeing as we had some time to spare it would be rude not to... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 22, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
Finally a long night’s sleep with no specific time to get up and nowhere to go in the morning. We made shameless use of the laundry machine at Terry’s sister before driving off into the Scottish countryside. We first had a cozy walk through Banchory snacking on some... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 21, 2023 | Blog, Terry
After a good nights kip (and a much needed clothes wash), so it was that we bade farewell to family and jumped in our loaner car “Sukki”, onward to adventures new in the land of my kin. I was excited not just to share my country with Katrine, but also to... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 21, 2023 | Blog, Terry
We arrived in Aberdeen and hit the station lounge for a coffee and cookie pitstop before picking up a few essentials for the onward journey then hopped on a bus to Michelle’s place. The evening was spent catching up with family and eating some lovely,... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 21, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
We arrived in Aberdeen early this morning after having a proper Scottish breakfast on the train (and my first ever shower on board a train!). Terry spent some time in the station lounge while I roamed the shopping center once it opened, and Terry joined me later. We... by Terry Thorpe | Jul 19, 2023 | Blog, Terry
We spent the morning exploring a beautiful private garden which helped redeem our mediocre hotel. What an enchanting place. We enjoyed a simple breakfast on one of the idyllic benches, surrounded by fauna and greenery of all sorts. Magical. Our day continued with a... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 19, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
Our hotel had the key to a beautiful private garden called Ecclestone Square park, where we had our breakfast all by ourselves among “Alice in wonderland” paths and flowers. We then headed to the IMAX theater to watch the latest Mission Impossible movie, where I... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 18, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
As one does in London, we started the day with a little shopping and a stop at a cafe. We then got ready for the evening’s big event: The sunset steam express. Pulled by a steam locomotive, we rode through the Surrey Hills. We were served a three course meal with... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 18, 2023 | Blog, Terry
Arriving at our overpriced hotel in London, we hit the shops to buy a shirt for me (and of course Katrine ended up with a new dress) so we could look the part for our evening excursion aboard a slice of history. The journey, including 3 course meal and champagne... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 17, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
Another relaxing day in Cascais with a slow walk around the town and seaside, browsing stores with an ice cream in hand. There was also time for a few hours by the pool (with another sighting of the duck family). It was sad to say goodbye to the family in the evening... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 17, 2023 | Blog, Terry
We had a chilled day wandering the beautiful streets of Cascais and managed to track down an ice cream parlour that sold (delicious) mint ice cream. The rest of the day was spent chilling at the pool before saying a fond farewell to the Sivertsen clan and co. and... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jul 16, 2023 | Blog, Katrine
Today was the day of very few plans. Breakfast, a massage, pool time (with the ducks again!) and out with the family to eat lots of seafood at “Baía do peixe”. Eaten the only way it can be eaten: messily with fingers. 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 16, 2023 | Blog, Terry
Got some work done and followed it up with working hard on being massaged at the hotel spa, then relaxing by the pool and following the adventures of the resident family of ducks. Katrine was of course overwhelmed to bursting and the cuteness. The evening started at a... 
by Terry Thorpe | Jul 16, 2023 | Blog, Terry
We met Katrine’s family in an Argentinian themed steak house for a delicious dinner. Nearby, while we ate a mass aerobic event was taking place and was too good to miss, so after dinner we wandered over and got involved. Afterwards we had a leisurely walk home...