Edinburgh, Oban, Balloch, Loch Lomond...

This weekend 2 women from class & I went to Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond then on to Oban for Saturday and Sunday. I took tons of PICTURES. It was a lot of fun, by the end we were totally beat. Loch Lomond (yes...like the song "on the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond...") was FABULOUS. It was a perfect day. We ended up staying at Dalkirk Farm on the edge of town in a 3 bed room that was once the stable. It was charming - replete with sheep, cows, the whole 9 yards. The owners were such a darling couple that were simply astounded that we walked all the way from the train station to their house. We had such a nice day - we took a boat trip up the Loch, then hiked up to the castle that is on the lake. We spent an hour just sitting on a dock watching people play with their dogs and the boats go up and down. We then went to Trosachs National Forest where there is literally an art exhibit IN the forest. It's fascinating to look at. Then we BARELY escaped a downpour and ended up eating fish & chips (OMG - I got SO sick. So much for thinking after all these years I could eat fried food!). Then we went out to the farm for the night.

We originally were going to go to the Isle of Syke, but realized by the time we got there, we'd have to turn around and come right back, so we decided to go to Oban. On the way out we had a 1.5 hour stop in Dumbarton Central so we went walking around (smmmmmallll town in Scotland) and ended up having scones and tea at a church fundraiser for Alzheimers!! We had scones with church ladies. They were so cute & were delighted to tell us all about their trip to the United States -- to Las Vegas!!! I loved it. Originally we were going to go to the Isle of Mull, but there was a random football (read: soccer) tourny on the Isle so we couldn't get accommodations on the Ilse & it was POURING. We ended up staying in Oban and going to the Oban Distillery, the Chocolate Company, and out to dinner at the Waterfront Bar where I had the BEST fish pie. Then we went to this place called MacTavish's where we saw a "Scottish Show" including bagpipes, a tiny girl dancing over swords and a singer (which was actually only marginal - yikes). Finally we got a good nights sleep at the B&B. We walked a TON. I had a great weekened, but now I'm glad to be back. It was long, strange trip. We did have a good time. This morning we ended up chatting with a woman from the United States who has been living in London for the past 4 years working for the Justice Department at the Embassy. She was REALLY interesting - she told us that we HAVE to go see a show in London - that they are fabulous. She has worked for the Justice Department for 40 years. I was telling her how I was also selected for the internship at the London Embassy but that I turned it down for the UN - she told me that was GOOD because they pretty much treat their interns like errand runners. Phew! Missed that boat. Thank goodness!

In summation – a lot of rain, but a lot of fun. I took so many random pictures (see link above) that are a lot of fun. Scotland is gorgeous – once we were on our way to Oban, the train ride alone was a treat and made it worth the trip. Thus far my only real complaint…the exchange rate. UGH!!! What is the US doing wrong???