gmhTODAY 13 gmhToday March April 2017 | Page 95

We appreciated the history, and traveling over trails used by Clans, like the MacDonalds and Campbells, and saw their ancient battlegrounds. We loved Scotland and its people. If you should be so inclined as to add “Walk the West Highland Way” to your bucket list, you will likely come away as we did, exhilarated, emotionally uplifted, confident in our physical abilities and ready to plan more such trips. In spite of some rain and some rigorous terrain, this trip was the best of times! Amazing Vistas ABOVE: Map shows stops along the West Highland Way BELOW: Worn and weather beaten passport that was stamped at each stop along the 96-mile trail. Feasting & Whisky • Every day a “full Scottish breakfast” arrived, with the emphasis on full. We hit the trail fortified with a rasher of bacon, broiled tomato, porridge, a potato “tattie” scone, sautéed mushrooms, baked beans, one egg any way you like and – black pudding, an acquired taste. • After every dinner we ordered up the famous Scottish dessert, sticky toffee pudding, a date cake with caramel sauce. • When prepared well, haggis is delicious. Perhaps reminiscent of turkey stuffing. • We all came away loving the Scottish smoked fish soup, Cullen Skink. Sticky toffee pudding. • Coronation chicken sandwiches (curried chicken), the Queen’s favorite, were popular and tasty. GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MARCH/APRIL 2017 gmhtoday.com 95