CAA Manitoba Fall 2018 | Page 40

A commanding view of Loch Lomond

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efore my family trip to Scotland , we avoided dreaded “ I ” word : itinerary . When people asked about our plans , I ’ d say we were renting a car and going wherever the Scottish winds blow us . I wanted to soak up the country , like whisky aging in an oak barrel . While we did book a couple of things in advance , we counted on a wee bit of luck for most other details .
Glasgow & Western Highlands Upon landing in Glasgow , Scotland ’ s most populous city , my wife , daughter , son and I try to shake off our jetlag by admiring the beautiful stonework of the city ’ s historic streets . We also make a pit stop at the astonishing Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum , famed for its many French and Dutch masterpieces , as well as an impressive armour collection .
Suitably rested the next day , it ’ s time to pick up our rental car — or “ car hire ,” as they say on this side of the pond . We pack our mid-size ride with luggage and camping gear and head northwest to begin our journey . It ’ s my first time driving on the left-hand side of the road — with a stick shift , no less — but I get used to both surprisingly fast . My best advice to U . K . newbies : Take it
Pipe-and-drum band in Drymen
slow and have a good co-pilot ! Our first stop : Loch Lomond , the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain . We pitch our tent at Sallochy Campsite , a beautiful wooded spot . You ’ d never know it now , but the area was completely deforested in the 18th century , when grand oaks were toppled to make charcoal and tanning dye for textile mills . The forest exists today thanks to the third Duke of Montrose , who replanted all the trees before he died in 1836 . Well done , Duke of Montrose , a fine legacy , sir .
Even though the calendar reads late July , it ’ s a little nippy , so we stock up on wool hats . It ’ s advisable to pack layers and rain gear if you ’ ll be camping or spending any time outdoors in Scotland — the weather can turn on a 10 pence . After some post-breakfast stone skipping on the loch , we pack
a hearty lunch and hike uphill in the Rowardennan Forest . From our perch , we enjoy a commanding view of Loch Lomond and the woods below .
That evening , we drive through the village of Drymen , where a large crowd has gathered in the town square . Recognizing the unmistakeable sounds of a pipe-and-drum band warming up , we join the throngs of jovial locals . A free half-hour concert stirs our souls and gets our feet tapping .
Continuing our northwest migration , we settle into a campground in the stunning Tyndrum Hills , a popular stop for hikers . It ’ s a waypoint on the
Previous Page , skye : george hiles ; family : ryan horne ; cow : eric welch
40 Fall 2018 CAA MaNITOBa