We finally set off on our Scotland adventure on Monday, April 7th just after lunch some 5 days later than originally planned due to Jo’s pre-op hospital appointments in preparation for her knee replacement surgery at the end of April. We got as far as Lancaster and stopped at a pub, the Greyhound at Halton, for a delicious dinner and overnight stop in their car park (S4S-S476745).

Next morning, we were up early and off before 08.30 to make our way to Dumfries to meet up with Jo’s cousin, Alison. She had baked cakes, scones and sausage rolls so we were glad we hadn’t had much breakfast.

After a short stop at Aldi to pick up some provisions, we headed up to Dumfries House, where King Charles has established a number of traditional skills apprenticeships as well as an education centre to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. Lovely house and gardens that were clearly very popular even in April as we only just got into the car park!

Onwards towards our night stop at Loch Lomond via Devil’s Pulpit Gorge.

We arrived at Firkin Point (P4N#56425) on Loch Lomond around 19.45 to find that cars had parked in our paid for spot. Admittedly, it only cost us £4.30 but the principle was that you needed a permit to stay overnight. Eventually, a family arrived back from the lake very apologetic (not least because we had blocked them in!) but by this time the sun had set and our pre dinner drink overlooking the lake had been spoiled. We did have an amazingly restful night and awoke to views of the lake. However, we were up and away by 06.45 as we wanted to get to Glenfinnan Viaduct by 09.30 but that’s a story for another blog!

Miles this trip: 449