Driving to Loch Ness and on to Ullapool & Isle of Lewis 16-18 September

We left Pitlochry on to Loch Ness.  Before leaving we stopped at Eradour Distillery which is the smallest distillery in Scotland.  We didn't sample any this time because we were given a wee dram at Atholl Palace and liked it so much we just had to stop by and get a bottle.  We drove up to Inverness and on to Loch Ness.  We actually touched Loch Ness water - stuck our hands in the water.  Didn't spot Nessie anywhere  :(   We visited Urquhart Castle on the loch.  It must have been a great place and the view it had must have been incredible.  We spent the night in a quaint little B&B owned by Shirley & Stuart.  We met a couple from Kentucky - Judy & Frank - who were staying the night at the B&B as well.  They were a sweet couple.  We bumped into them again at the castle. 

We left Loch Ness and drove through the Cairngorms.  I know I keep using "gorgeous" to describe what we are seeing but I can't find better words to describe the beauty of this country!  Pictures will not do it justice and you have to see it for yourself to know what I am talking about.

We made it to Ullapool and spent the night in a B&B - Fyffe House - owned by Angus and his wife Pam.  Pam is a Michigander and Angus was born on the Isle of Lewis.  Ullapool is a cute little town that is doing an excellent job keeping it quaint and everyone was so pleasant, as a tourist I would stay there anytime.  Angus was an excellent host and great chef, scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for breakfast, yum!

We took the ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway - 3.5 hours.  It was better than I thought it would be.  Once we arrived at Stornoway we looked around a bit and headed off to Uig Lodge.  The roads would go from two lanes to one lane with passing spots for a car to pull in to allow another car to pass safely.  We were stopped by sheep on the road, highland cows in the fields.  We saw signs alerting us of deer crossings but we haven't seen any yet. 

When we arrived at Uig Lodge it was like a dream.  It is incredible!  We tried to work it out and we think it would hold at least 20 guests, I believe there are 12 guest rooms, 6 bathrooms and a decent-size kitchen.  We have it all to ourselves.  Yep, just me and Richard are Laird & Lady of the manor.  It sits facing The Uig Sands.  Richard got to golf on the "very" challenging golf course, winds a blowing but it doesn't stop him.  Eric is an excellent chef!

Very tired now and think we will head up to our "bedchamber",