Edinburgh to Inverness

Well what a great day. David awoke with dreadful cold and miserable but we packed up and caught bus around the corner to Straiton where the car was parked. Relieved to see it still there and no parking fine. Free parking for three days! Could never have had the car in town. Leaving Edinburgh was itself stunning as we crossed the Queensferry Crossing across the Firth of Forth-an amazing long bridge only opened last year. It is the longest bridge of its type in the world. We headed off towards St. Andrews. To my relief found a lovely pharmacist at St Andrews who was able to give David some relief-and advice. We then headed for the highlight of David’s trip - St Andrew’s Golf Course. It was a beautiful spot and we wandered around before heading into the golf shop. He will be looking good on the Tinwald Course! We left there and stopped not far away at a cool farm shop and cafe. Bought some lovely bits for our dinner, including a pot of “Hough” traditional Scottish meat paste, and had lovely lunch there. It left Maggie Beer’s for dead! I then took over the driving and what a drive. It was amazing. The road took us up over many hills and mountains, through ski fields and through villages. Just loved it. Even with the added challenge of at least 200 cyclists on a charity ride on mainly one lane roads. It was a very long trip but the scenery really was spectacular. We stopped at Braemar for a coffee in very old fashioned tearooms. It was another hour onto Inverness which is about the size of Timaru. Wandered around the corner for a lovely drink in a very local pub. We are now back at our third “small” home and after all my driving David is putting together a lovely platter from the farm shop. Cooking up some broccoli as determined to cure his bugs- and not catch them!Read more