To the Highlands

Our time in the Borders has come to an end, as have 2 manic weeks since we left Australia. Such a huge time catching up with everyone we could and enjoying their company, food, wine and other drinks. It has been BIG.

We set off today at an easy pace as nothing is really too far from anything over here. Our ultimate goal is Rannoch Moor, the Kingshouse Hotel, but first there is a stop at the Falkirk Wheel.

This is an inspired piece of planning and outstanding engineering. It is unique in the world. It’s purpose is to do away with a huge number of water locks on a canal system that connnects Glasgow and Edingburgh.

The wheel takes on the barges in it’s water filled gondalas and lifts them 35 metres to the next canal, where they simply putter off down the next canal. Remarkable. We took the tour which included a ride in a barge being lifted up and then a short ride along the upper canal and back down again. The entire lifting process takes about 5 minutes, and the entire tour about 1 hour.

This was well worth the stop over.

Now to the Highlands. Once we leave the motorway near Stirling and head inland in a north-west direction it doesn’t take long for the landscape to change from the rolling farmed fields to: forested tracks of land; rugged and bare mountains, lochs and rivers. Dramatic stuff. There is a photo to be had at every bend.

The road climbs all the time, and then over one winding section you emerge and are confronted by the vast area of Rannoch Moor, framed on all sides the steeply rising mountains. Just about my most favourite place in the world.

I have had a screen saver on my computer for ages with the view of Rannoch Moor, and now I am here. Our house in Sydney is called Rannoch House, after this area, so you can imagne the impact this place has had for us both. Even in the short time we have been here the view has changed dramatically, with rain squals speeding up the valley and then sunshine through the fast moving clouds.

Our accommodation at Kingshouse far exceeds our expectations. It seems that I had forgotten what a lovely (and huge) room I had booked. Kate’s room is also lovely and perfect for an Associate. Our room is on Level 2 (the top level) and the view from our balcony is a replica of my screen saver. Mind you, the rain is teeming down and the wind is so strong that you can’t really venture onto the balcony.

Suffice to say I am in seventh heaven here, and whatever weather comes our way I am determined that I’m still getting out into it, even if on my own.