CAA Manitoba Fall 2018 | Page 42

truly appreciate Scotland ’ s abundance of freshwater .
Before leaving the mainland , we stop at the stunning Eilean Donan Castle , one of Scotland ’ s most photographed attractions . Nestled on a tiny island at the convergence of three lochs , the stronghold was once the seat of Clan Mackenzie — until the failed Jacobite uprising . Our knowledgeable tour guide imparts both historic facts and helpful travel tips before we embark for the marquee destination of Skye .
The rain returns . We look for lodgings , but the tumbleweed lifestyle shows one of its failings : We only manage to find a spot because someone has cancelled a booking . When travelling on Skye , a popular destination for Scots and tourists alike , always arrange accommodations before you go !
Ultimately , we only spend a few days

See it with CAA

Cruise sCotland , ireland , northern ireland , FranCe & england
British isles Cruise PrinCess Cruises
prefer cruising to driving ? hop aboard this 12-night journey around the british isles , including the scottish highlands , irish castles and some of england ’ s most historic sights . onboard , take in cooking demos , spa experiences and broadway-style shows .
may 1 – 13 , 2019
Caamanitoba . Com / groupCruises
on the island , but we could ’ ve easily stayed a week . Hiking the large pinnacle rock of Old Man of Storr on a foggy day feels like another planet . To warm up , we attend a ceilidh ( party ) at the community hall in Staffin and dance a few jigs and reels .
Driving the northern tip of Skye , we stumble upon an impromptu sheepshearing demonstration ; farmers are harvesting wool from their flocks right at the roadside . Shortly after , as if a switch has been flipped , the weather turns hot and sunny , so we visit a beautiful coral beach . Another long hike commences — this time to the Fairy Pools , so called due to legends of winged creatures frolicking in their waters . We cool off by dipping our toes into the icy streams flowing down from the mountains .
Loch Ness , Culloden & Edinburgh Thanks to a tip from our Eilean Donan tour guide , we take a ferry back to the mainland . From the tiny seaside hamlet of Kylerhea , we board the MV Glenachulish , helmed by an affable captain and his trusty border collie . Upon landing at Glenelg , we dash to a beautiful campsite at a horse stable in Drumnadrochit . The kids immediately join a friendly game of footy with fellow campers from England and Scotland .
Clockwise from top : Behind bars at Inveraray Jail ; our car hire ; haggis with neeps and tatties ; roadside sheep sheering
The next day , we visit the Loch Ness Centre and
Exhibition to learn the facts and fiction behind all those Nessie sightings . Continuing northward , we spend a day in Rosemarkie , which is considered one of the world ’ s best spots on land to view dolphins . We don ’ t see any in person , but there is plenty of photo evidence to back up the claim .
For the history buff , no trip to Scotland is complete without a stop at Culloden Battlefield , the infamous site of the 1746 defeat of the Jacobite uprising and the demise of Highland clan culture . A little farther south , we climb into the mountains of Cairngorms National Park and visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre , where we feed the herd . The funicular railway ride to the summit of CairnGorm offers spectacular views of snow-capped peaks in the distance .
As we leave the rugged Highlands and head toward Edinburgh , the countryside becomes lush with farms and towering trees . I opt for a tour of Edradour — Scotland ’ s smallest distillery — while the kids and their mom visit the Scottish Crannog Centre in Loch Tay , near Aberfeldy , for a look at Scottish life during the
sheep , jail , car , family : ryan van horne ; haggis : Xtelle / istock ; street : chris148 / istock ; castle : manu bravo
42 Fall 2018 CAA MaNITOBa