UK Day 9 - Loch Ness & The Highlands, Scotland.

Our last day in Scotland, we booked a day tour to Loch Ness and the Highlands from Timberbush Tours.

Got a cab to the departure point at the foot of Edinburgh Castle (that's where their office is located by the way). A bit early at 7.45 a.m. when the tour starts at 8.10 a.m. Bus was full, some locals, some Australians, Welsh, a couple of Thais, maybe a Filipino as well. Diverse group.

We saw a fox! In the city! woots

The usual busy street was totally empty in the morning.

Our Scottish bus driver cum tour guide wearing a kilt!

More traditional clothing!

A couple of hours of scenic drive through up the Highlands - this is a glimpse of Stirling Castle on our way.

Roads like this - I've only ever seen them in movies. omg

Another castle glimpse - this is Doune Castle.

A short toilet break at Kilmahog - they have these few Hamish on their grounds. So cute!

The roads! It's so amazing! Feels like I'm in a country movie from Hollywood. XD

The Scotland highlands is sooooooooo beautiful beyond words!

Reached Glencoe - apparently an infamous massacre site of the Clan MacDonald.

Crazy mountains.

So out of the world to be here!

Living in a dream - this. Best picture ever!

Lunch at Fort William area. Finally got to try some haggis. Which I didn't fancy because of the herbs.

I can't tell you how much I love seeing the woods. Magical~

Ominous clouds - lucky us though, no rain on us.

*hyperventilates*

I think this is nearby Fort Augustus.

And finally we reached our destination - Urquhart Castle and the Loch Ness.

It's just a huge massive lake.

And the castle is in ruins.

Hello Lake Nessie.

It's funny seeing a ruined castle.

You can't really imagine what it was like in its glory days.

Just a few rooms that were somewhat still in-tact.

Dunno what's this.

If I recall correctly, Urquhart is pronounced as Er-ket.

Crazy narrow stairs that we can climb on.

To have a picturesque view of the lake.

Beautiful~

Skeletons.

Time to leave, taking Jacobite loch cruise.

Goodbye~

I was sitting out alone with the wind in my hair while my mom was inside the boat, said it's too cold outside. Met this friendly couple, Polish girl and English man working in China. Talked a bit, shared their travel stories, especially Japan their favourite country. And also about Malaysia which they liked coz we have concerts here unlike in China. LOL.

Getting dark.

Then it's time to head back to Edinburgh, with a quick toilet stop at Pitlochry. In summer we're given time to get down and do some visiting here, but in winter season it gets dark too early and shops are closed so we weren't given the opportunity. Oh well. Guide was helpful he dropped us off near the Edinburgh bus station where we took the £17 night bus back to London - almost 9 hours journey but ride was comfy thank goodness, managed to rest okay till our arrival at 7 a.m.

Simply loved the tour - probably the most unique one because it's so crazy beautiful. Tour guide was funny as hell though a lil difficult to understand due to his strong Scottish accent. But that's awesome since our tour was made all the more 'authentic' that way. Even played us some Scottish folk music on our fantastic scenic drive - man it brought me tears no kidding. Seeing the highlands with such beautiful music, the experience was truly overwhelming and moving to me.

If you ever had the chance to visit Scotland, make sure you get the best out of it by touring the highlands. Maybe more than a day. It's breathtaking!

UK Day 8 - Edinburgh, Scotland.

Woke up from a great sleep and was prepared to head for breakfast at 7am only to be told by the reception breakfast doesn't start till 8, or 8.30 can't remember. *thehorror*

Nonetheless the kind lady packed us some awesome scones, croissants, apples and biscuits and we ate in our room. We were going to have a packed itinerary so we wanted to start as early as possible.

Walked about 20 minutes from the hotel to Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official residence in Scotland. Unfortunately, it was drizzling the whole morning and skies were gloomy as hell.

We were so early the place wasn't even open yet. Nevermind we weren't planning to tour inside, it costs 10 pounds and I was more interested in another castle.

Palace guards here wore differently from England's. Looked more like army guards.

The Scottish Parliament which is just opposite the castle. Really weird design.

No one's interested to have a look inside either haha. Security seemed to be a hassle too.

The road up the Parliament is the famous Royal Mile, where you'll find most of Edinburgh's famous tourist attractions. It's a long walk uphill that ends with Edinburgh Castle.

On the way up passing by museums and stuff, you'll see John Knox's house - Knox was a Protestant Reformer in those days. His name seemed to crop up a few times. lol

Rushed to make it to Mary King's Close tour at 10 a.m. Phew right on time just as they were about to start. Wasn't expecting it'd take this long to reach here. Costs 12 pounds.

Anyway totally loved this underground city tour! Before all the newer buildings built on top, the city here was actually much lower on ground. As times changed and diseases spread, the old city was demolished and got buried away as people built new cities on top of them and ground level became higher. The closes were forgotten, closed to public for many years and simply became history.

Totally recommend this 1 hour tour that gives you an insight of how people back then lived, how dirty and foul it was, how cramped the rooms were, how dark and dangerous the walkways were.

A close is like a flat, there are many owner names of closes along the Royal Mile. Most of them are sealed underground as it's too dangerous for anyone to walk in them.

Landscape.

St Giles Cathedral - it's free to go inside but no photography.

Somewhere along the street I took a left turn in hunt for THIS. Apparently this cafe is the birthplace of Harry Potter. JK Rowling used to sit in there and write her first drafts of the books. lol

So so so gloomy. Noticed I didn't use an umbrella, rain here is too fine.

Deacon Brodie's workshop was originally here.

So this says. He was the inspiration behind Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Hehe couldn't resist taking photos of men in kilts.

Random.

Camera Obscura, if you want to have a 360-degree view of all of Edinburgh that costs you about 10 pounds.

Finally made it to the end - Edinburgh Castle! Entrance fee was 14 pounds.

Perched atop a hill, offering you beautiful views of the city.

Cannons.

Governor's House.

This old castle is beautifully ancient!

Huge rooms.

The Great Hall.

The Scottish National War Memorial. There were huge books with list of names there.

Especially loved the prisoners room.

One of the reasons why we were on such a tight schedule was to make it for the daily 1 o'clock cannon gun firing! Awesome molly what a great experience to hear the shot and get a shock of my life! hahahaha. IT WAS LOUD OKAY. Really fun, something totally new to us. Do not miss this!

Supergun Mons Meg on display.

St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh.

Soldiers' dog cemetery awww.

After the castle tour, we took some time to stroll along the street and buy some Scottish souvenirs like cashmere wool that my mom fancied.

Anyway once done with the Royal Mile, it's time to head back to the hotel via Princes Street - a busy shopping street. Really cool that the streets are in one straight line - so easy to navigate.

Scott Monument on Princes St.

Scottish National Gallery.

Think it's a uni or something.

Up close.

Bagpipes live!

Dinner was at the hotel's Thai restaurant.

Food was great to our surprise!

Cooked by real Thais, who questioned our decision to holiday in UK during the chilly season lol. Well it's not just them, think we met a few locals who asked us why the heck we come now and not when it's hotter. XD

5 pounds, in Scottish and England notes. Wasn't aware that they have different notes.

Another successful itinerary. Enjoyed our day much, had great tours and I was simply impressed with the historical side of the city. My mom especially loved Edinburgh Castle - she couldn't stop raving about it. :)

One more day in Scotland to come..