A first class seat on the train to Scotland. Ah, it's a great way to travel. Nine hours to relax and enjoy the countryside slipping past. I've almost recovered from the shock of a 16 pound taxi fare to drive around the corner to the station at five o'clock in the morning with next to no traffic. I'm also endeavouring to be philosophical about leaving the octopus strap for my luggage trolley in the afore mentioned cab. Lesson 1: All loose items to be placed in bag.
The day flies by too fast, so much to see, towns and villages all lifted straight off the lid of a chocolate box, sheep and cattle grazing in lush green fields, rivers and streams meandering between tree-lined banks, and then we're over the border and into Scotland. The North Sea is stretching to the horizon and cliffs cascade to the waters-edge. Forests of conifer march up steep hillsides while heather covers yet more hills with a hint of the colour to come, shallow streams ripple over a pebbly beds, and yes, there's a highland coo! I'm in Scotland!
I'll spare my readers the dramas of changing trains at Edinburgh, suffice to say that a large bike bag and a rather full sports bag on a trolley with no strap …
When I arrive in Inverness I've abandoned all thoughts of taking a bus to pick up the car, and grab the first taxi I see as I walk out the door.
Into my little black Peugeot 207 and off to Strathpeffer. I'm a nervous wreck, first roundabout and I take the wrong exit. Up the road, do a U-turn at the next traffic light, and now I'm off to Strathpeffer. There's a Tescos as I go through Dingwall so I stop to pick up some groceries for the week and a bottle of wine because I SO need a drink!
One or two more wrong turns and I'm out of Dingwall and by some miracle arrive at Fodderty Lodge (built 1730) to take up residence in Lodge Barn for a week. Fortunately the barn has been converted to a charming cottage which looks out into the garden and has every modern convenience... including a corkscrew. Here's to a week in the Highlands!
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