Ness' bit of everything

After Bath, we travelled north.

Our plan was always to go to Scotland, however the drive was too much in one go from Bath. We planned a stop in the Yorkshire Dales. We found a gorgeous shepherds hut in a small village called Crosby Ravensworth. This was close to well, not a lot. The nearest market town was Appleby, however it was just a large village in our eyes. This is a gorgeous part of England, feels rather remote but still close enough to get on the major transport route, the M6.

After a pleasant nights sleep with the log burner keeping us warm, we headed to Scotland. Glasgow was the first stop. We parked up in a 24 hour car park and checked in the Carlton George hotel. A gorgeous hotel, slap bang in the middle of the city. I found Glasgow similar to Manchester in ways. Some parts gritty and very edgy. It gave me the same vibes that the Northern Quarter gives me. Adding to this there was the modern architecture poking through, mixing old and the new together creating an interesting city to wander around.

We both enjoyed the Lighthouse, a visitor centre for design and architecture. It also holds exhibitions and is voted the best window with a view in Glasgow. We stopped at Riverhill coffee bar for lunch, a cute spot, not much room to sit but full of friendly staff and amazing lunch grub!

The morning after we grabbed breakfast at Spitfire Espresso and hit the road. We drove up the A82 on one of the best driving road we’ve been on. We drove to Glencoe with the most spectacular views. We did two walks that day, we went straight to Glencoe Lochan trail, a small walk to stretch off the legs.

After that we checked in to our Eco Cabin, at Glencoe Independent Hostel. We didn’t stay long as the weather was on our side and headed off to hike the Lost Valley (Corse Gabhail) trail. This was a more strenuous walk than the first, but nothing too difficult.

This was one of the most rewarding walks I have done. The valley at the top was spectacular with dramatic scaring of the landscape creating staggering features through out the hike.

After a long day travelling and hiking we spent the night cooking food in the cabin and relaxing with a gorgeous view of the mountains.

When we woke on the Friday morning, it was typical Scottish weather, so miserable. We decided to head to our next stop in Lockearnhead. A small village in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, hoping for better weather.

There was no blue sky or any chance of the rain stopping here either. However, we were greeted, in true AirBnB style to a stunning converted croft, Wester Auchraw Croft. I don’t even know where to start, the B&B was to die for, to top it off the hosts and their family were welcoming, friendly and very sociable.

If you are ever in this neck of the woods, I recommend a stay here. They have a room in the croft itself and also a yurt you can stay in.  Breakfast was provided in style with the famous whisky porridge.

It wasn’t exactly a tropical get away in a far away land or the road trip through Switzerland that we first planned. Nonetheless it was what we wanted to do with the budget and our week off work we had. I think we all take for granted the fact we can fly all over the world and over look the beautiful country we live in!

Ness x