The Highlands

We left Edinburgh, rented a car, and headed to the Highlands, specifically to Glencoe.  Its claim to fame is that this was where the Campbells massacred the MacDonalds, way back when.  It's a rough and rugged country, and spectacularly beautiful.  The drive was around 3 hours, and lots of fun.  "Stay left!"  Remember to stay left!

Just outside Edinburgh, we passed this massive sculpture called "The Kelpies." This photo doesn't give you an idea of their size, rearing above the M9.  They appeared out of nowhere.  Now that's what I call Art!  (Notice the raindrops on the windshield.)

 It was more common to see things like this hay truck, waiting to pull onto the road.  The hay is rolled into smallish bales, which are then wrapped with plastic and stacked like toys.  It rained every day.  SO nice!

 Trees lined the roadside, and logging was common.  I'm not sure what was going on with these trees, but we saw several stands of trees that looked just like this.  Perhaps they are planted too close together for the lower branches to thrive?

 But as with all conscientious logging, new trees are planted, as replacements.  We saw new trees everywhere.

 The landscape changed dramatically, when we reached the Highlands.  Mountains jut up from the earth, covered with green and dripping with water.

 Along their bases, are train tracks and trestles, that look like they've been there forever.

 This is one of my favorite photos.  It's got my husband, in the car, and me with my camera...he did all the driving, I took about 3000 pictures.  :)

When we were almost there, we stopped at a viewpoint.  wow.

 When we finally arrived, we were rewarded with this double rainbow.

And a good Scottish dinner, of steak and ale "stew" with a pastry lid.  yum!

It was a trip to remember, and I'm working on that, as diligently as possible.  It was wonderful!