Thistle Holiday to Inverness, 2009
by Margaret Rowe, Friday, 7th August 2009
32 Thistle Members and friends set out on 19th July to enjoy a holiday in Inverness. Although it was a long journey north the Memory Lane coach, skilfully driven by Frank was extremely comfortable.
The Waterside Hotel, beautifully situated by the River Ness was very welcoming. After a quick freshen up we all relaxed over an excellent meal. Afterwards on a lovely evening many of us strolled along to follow the paths amongst the Islands.
Monday we visited Dunrobin Castle and enjoyed the wonderful castle, gardens and a Falconry Display. Then along to explore Dornoch, its cathedral and converted Jail and also to find lunch before journeying on to find out more about and to sample the whisky at Glenmorangie Distillery. After another sumptuous meal at the hotel we relaxed in the bar lounge or went out for a stroll to find out a little more of the city.
The weather could not have been more beautiful as we travelled through magnificent scenery, heather covered mountains and wooded glens, lochs and waterfalls beside the shores of Loch Maree and on to the world famous Inverewe Gardens. There we strolled and learnt more about the plants and trees and marvelled how they grew on such rocky ground; gazed across the waters of Loch Ewe to the distant hills. On our way back we stopped at the Corrieshalloch Gorge where many of us walked down the steep path, over a suspension bridge and along to the view point to see the huge drop of the waterfall. It was easier coming down than going back up! In the evening there was a light shower - virtually the only one in the week, but some still enjoyed a walk.
Wednesday was a free day to explore or do some shopping. However, at 10 o'clock we enjoyed a sail on the Jacobite Legend on Loch Ness down to Urquhart Castle - no sign of Nessie! Later in the afternoon we met on the steps of the historic Town House, where we were to enjoy a guided tour. In the evening we were holding a Scottish Dance and some of the local dancers and friends on holiday in the area came to join us - it was a happy evening.
Thursday we visited Cawdor Castle, the home of the Cawdor Family. It was very interesting and it had that warm, lived in feeling, with lovely fresh flowers from the gardens. The walled garden had a colourful display of many different flowers and there were magnificent trees around the estate. Our next visit was to Culloden, where there is a magnificent new Centre. We studied all the information, lived the experience of the battle on the screen all around us, got the feeling and ferocity of the fighting and the sadness looking at all the fallen on the field and then, with the use of a handset, explored the battle fields, finding the lines of battle and the marking stones of the fallen Clans. After our meal at the hotel we had a most enjoyable evening at the Spectrum Theatre for the Scottish Show Time.
All too quickly we were at the end of the week, but luggage on board we had one more visit. That was to Waltzing Waters at Newton More where there was a spectacular - wonderful, colourful movements of water as jets rose in time to the music. Coffee and shortbreads and off on our journey home.
We arrived home tired, but happy about 7 o'clock. A great holiday - where are we going next year?