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Suzie and Nik Do The UK
  • Suzie Holland
  • Nicole Sumpton
  • Suzie Holland
  • Nicole Sumpton

Suzie and Nik Do The UK

Hello! We are about to embark on a most amazing trip to the UK! We are going to begin in London, make our way up to Chester for Eurovision in Liverpool (YAY!), then onto Edinburgh, then to Inverness, scoot down to York and then back to London :D Read more
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  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    The Kelpies, Falkirk
    111

    Highland Scotland Adventure!

    May 17, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Suzie - Today we did another pre booked tour, this time it was from Edinburgh to Callendar, Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness and Pitlochry and then back to Edinburgh! 12.5 hours in total and completely worth it!!

    Our guide William from Hairy Coo Tours was very knowledgeable about Scottish history and entertaining! Another great day was had by all!!

    Tonight I had my first Cullen Skink (chowder with smoked haddock, leek and potato) which was delicious and Nik had her first vegetarian haggis!

    Nik - It's been such a busy day and I'm very tired BUT I got to check off an item on my 'Things to do in Scotland' list. Try a (vegan)! haggis! I know most people will say if it's vegan it's not haggis...but screw that. It still has the same spices and the intent is there so I'm claiming it! It was very tasty and I wouldn't mind trying to make it at home.

    Then Suzie had a whiskey taster with three different whiskey's. I had a little of each, cause...when in Scotland...that's just what you do. Suffice to say I am very much NOT a fan    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Glencoe

    May 17, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Suzie - I have been wanting to go here for quite some time for its history. I won't go into what happened here between Clan's Campbell and MacDonald. Suffice to say, it was horrible and while I previously knew about it, to hear it again wasn't nice.

    Today it's empty, quiet and peaceful

    Nik - This place is cold and starkly beautiful. It also has a horrible and confronting history.

    One day in 1692, during bitterly cold weather, members of Clan Campbell asked for shelter from Clan Macdonald. (Clan Campbell were under orders by the government at the time.)

    Highland code is that you must provide shelter to those who seek it. Even if that person (or group) is your sworn enemy. And indeed the Campbell's and MacDonald's were just that.

    After sheltering with the MacDonald's for some time, and acting under government orders, (or so the story goes) the Campbells slaughtered the MacDonalds, their hosts, men, women and children. (Obviously a BIG breech of Highland code in and of itself.)

    Now one might ask, why the MacDonald's and Campbells were enemies before this. Well, that would be because many years previously, the MacDonald's rounded up a big group of Campbells, men women and children, locked them in a building and set it on fire, killing everyone inside. (No wonder they were enemies.)

    The Scott's have a long memory, and even today, over 300 years later the two clans are still at odds. You can still find establishments with signs out the front announcing 'NO CAMPBELLS ALLOWED '.    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    1

    Fort Augustus & Loch Ness

    May 17, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Suzie - I was very excited to see the Caledonian Canal this afternoon!! A marvel of engineering designed by Thomas Telford, who also designed the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales, along with other bridges and aqueducts).

    Built between 1803 and 1823, it's a man-made canal that links Inverness to Fort William to carry goods and supplies between the two areas. It also has a series of locks at Fort Augustus for boats. It really was marvellous to see and travel on for our trip out into Loch Ness.

    No Nessie's were located 😀😀

    Nik - We grabbed somethings to eat at Fort Augustus before heading out on our cruise. It was freezing out on the water, which was dark from the surrounding peat. On one side the land is somewhat developed with roads and towns. The other side is wild country.

    The Loch is a little over 36kms long and 230 metres at its deepest point. We were told that if you were to drain out all of the water then you could fit the entire human population of plant earth that's alive today into the Loch.    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Pitlochry

    May 17, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Another village I have wanted to visit for ages!! We are in the Cairngorms National Park. Beautiful little area and I would like to go back and spend more time there.

    I recommend the whisky ice cream from Scot's Corner!Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Nik & the Highland Coo

    May 17, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Suzie - We stopped at Perthshire and Nik got to feed a Highland Coo!!! Seemed upset when I told her we couldn't bring one home!! They are so cute!!! But those horns!!

    And we got to see the Firth of Forth bridge!!

    Nik - This is one of the things I wanted to do in Scotland. Pat a Coo! They are so darn cute with the shaggy fur over their eyes.

    It's scandalous that Suzie won't let me take one home. A true injustice.🙎🏼‍♀️ It's not fair!    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Edinburgh Adventures!

    May 18, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Suzie - Today, being our last day in Edinburgh, we went on a trip around this fair city 😄😄

    We started off at the National Portrait Gallery, then on the City Explorer Hop On, Hop Off, then lunch at Deacon Brodie's Cafe, then back onto the bus and then to the National Museum. Then we got back on the bus to Calton Hill and then walked to dinner and then back to our cosy apartment 😀

    What a lovely day!!

    Nik - A very much needed sleep in and lazy morning. I am truely exhausted.

    The Portrait Gallery which showcased many of Scotland's Historic people of influence was interesting. Later in the day we visited the National Museum. I could have spent longer...but it was late and we were asked to leave.

    Lastly a walk up Calton Hill. An easy walk but it has some nice views of the river and over the city.

    A nice ending to our visit to Edinburgh.    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    National Portrait Gallery

    May 18, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    This beautiful building is a homage to the people that ruled, influenced or built Scotland. The paintings, sculptures and the books are exquisite.

    The Great Hall really needs to be seen to be believed. It has stained glass coats of arms, and a painting that goes all around the Hall of everyone who made Scotland.Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Calton Hill

    May 18, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Suzie - One of the seven hills of Edinburgh, this is the easiest to climb 😀😀 The pinnacle gives beautiful views of Edinburgh and Aijā thought it was a good time to come out and get some culture!😄

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Highland Coo's!!!

    May 20, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    We are off on a tour of the Highlands of Scotland and going to Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye!!

    But first, our awesome driver and tour guide 'Andy S from Inverness' of Timberbush Tours took us to meet and feed Highland Coo's at Dochgarroch on that fabulous Caledonian Canal that we saw a few days ago.

    Nik still wants to take one home...I wish we could but customs will not let us through with one!!

    Nik - Yes. I still want a coo!    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Eilean Donan Castle

    May 20, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Suzie - I have wanted to visit here for quite some time 😀😀

    This beautiful castle is the seat of Clan MacRae and Eilean Donan is on an island accessible by bridge or boat. It translates from Gaelic (Eilean Donnain) as The Island of Donan, a monk who was martyred (according to legend) by a Pictish queen in the 500's.

    The island is at the congruence of three Loch's - Loch Halsh, Loch Long and Loch Duich and there has been a defensive castle here since the 13th century and before that there is evidence that the island could have been a monastery.

    It was neglected for several hundred years after the English government force's fired upon the castle during the Jacobite Uprising and was rebuilt around the 1930's.

    The castle was used in Highlander and Nik graciously indulged me in the scene where Kate is saying goodbye to Connor McLeod before he goes into battle and meets the Kurgen 😀

    It's amazingly stunning and there is no photography within the castle.

    Nik - It's.a beautiful place. Well maintained and it feels very isolated. As I walked through the rooms, and particularly the surrounding land it is quite easy to let your mind wonder back all those years, to see with the mind's eye the men and women walking the halls, tending to chores. It feels peaceful.    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    2

    Sligachan

    May 20, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Suzie - We stopped off here for those who wanted to see if the legend was true. The story goes that there was an old wicked witch who lived at the top of the hill who hated everyone below and poisoned the water below. The fair folk heard this and became very upset at the witch and enchanted the water saying anyone who bathed their faces in the water and let it dry naturally will have their youthful appearance returned to them. I bolted out of the bus!!

    Nik - Suzie will tell you the water wasn't cold. She's right. It wasn't cold. It was downright freezing.

    Nevertheless we both splashed our faces with the enchanted water.

    I wonder when the effects will kick in?    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
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    Portree

    May 20, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Suzie - I love Portree!! It's just gorgeous 😀😀😀 We stopped here for lunch and exploring. We had Japanese for lunch which was delicious then we explored this beautiful capital of the Isle of Skye.

    Nik -It was cold and windy on Skye but Portree is stunning. After the best Japanese bento I've ever had there was not much time to explore. It's a small place but there was not nearly enough time to explore and take it all in. If I'm ever lucky enough to be in this part of the world again I'd love to spend three days to really get a good feel for the place.    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Last View!

    May 20, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Suzie - Very windy and very beautiful!! There were even goats! Then happy but tired, it was time for the trip back to Inverness 😀

    The Old Man of Storr remained elusive though and was hidden by cloud!

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    1

    Another Walk Around Inverness

    May 21, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Suzie - We went for a walk and bus ride around Inverness today 😀😀😀😀 It was fabulous fun and so cold!!!

    And Nik and I went to a ceilidh at a pub called Hootananny's and we met Drambuie and Speyside single malt!!

    Nik - No plans for today so we took it as it came.

    Very cold day. Grey with rain, fog and wind. So a good day to do the red hop on hop off bus. We got to see the common sites from the bus and out of the weather.

    In the evening we went to a ceilidh at a pub just across the road from our hotel. The mucicians tried to teach those who were brave enough to try it a few traditional dances. It was fun to watch and the music was definitely toe tapping.

    I tried Drambuie, which was quite tasty, and then a Speyside single malt, which I hope never to taste again. Unfortunately whiskey is just not my cup of tea.

    It was grand!! 💜💜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💜💜    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Northern Scotland Adventure!

    May 22, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Suzie - Today it's another pre-booked tour to explore the north of Scotland, going to Dunrobin Castle - the seat of Clan Sutherland and John O'Groats, the last main village on the Scottish mainland. I have never been this further north before!

    First stop was at the gorgeous village of Dornoch and on the way out, we saw seals sunning themselves and swimming!! The castle was once owned but Robert the Bruce, however has remained in ruins since! It's called Skelbo Castle and it was built in the 14th century.    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Dunrobin Castle & Gardens

    May 22, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Suzie - This is an absolutely gorgeous castle owned by Clan Sutherland. Unlike other castles, you can take photos!

    The earliest part of the castle was built in 1275, with later parts being added in the 1800's. It has 189 rooms and it's been inhabited for over 700 years by the Earls and Duke's of Sutherland. It's currently occupied by Lord Strathnaver and his family.

    Nik - Dunrobin Castle which is HUGE, beautiful and well maintained. I felt bad admiring the place though as the clan which owns it ( the Sutherlands) were responsible for the Highland clearances. There were also many deer heads mounted on the walls which really doesn't sit well with me. I know hunting was a big pass time in history but all I can think is 'those poor creatures.'    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Helmsdale

    May 22, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Suzie - We stopped off here to admire the beautiful scenery and the the history of this little village. There is a statue to commemorate the (forced) Emigrants to different countries and areas during the horrific Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries in Scotland. One name synonymous with the Clearances is Sutherland.

    The stone bridge once led to a castle, however this has been demolished.    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK

    Latheron

    May 22, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Suzie - A gorgeous pebbled beach, a sea cave, a pretty village and a massive rock. A home from the Highland Clearances. This is Scotland 💜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    Nik - I liked it here. Beautiful in its stark nature. There was a little tumbled down house just up from the hill from the beach. I stood in the house for some time imagining the lives of those who had once lived there.    Read more

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