Summary
Exploring the Highlands
For a long time, I aspired to fully explore the breathtaking Highlands of Scotland! Not merely a fleeting visit, but an immersive experience where I could leisurely drive through enchanting landscapes, take breaks in charming villages for tea and lunch, and indulge in the exquisite local seafood.
Thus, I yearned for an authentic Highlands holiday!
Travel Options
Even during my time residing in Scotland, I had envisioned a memorable road trip through the Highlands, a plan that ultimately remained unfulfilled.
Residing in Edinburgh and St Andrews, my adventures predominantly revolved around the East coast, with only brief encounters in the Highlands.
Eventually, we resolved to transform that ‘wishful thinking’ into a concrete plan for traversing the Highlands!
Departing from London, there was, unsurprisingly, no more convenient option than the Caledonian Sleeper—driving from London to Inverness would have been quite the endeavor.
Quaint Activities
The Caledonian Sleeper was exceptionally convenient, imbuing a sense of enchantment to our journey (almost akin to heading off to Hogwarts).
We enjoyed sleeper carriages (providing a personal bed), dined in the on-board restaurant, and even seized a bottle of wine to relax with some television before sinking into a deep sleep, only to awaken in Inverness.
This served as the initial destination in our exploration of the Scottish Highlands! Traveling this way was remarkably hassle-free, complete with breakfast (and a shower) on the train, which left us perfectly primed for the day ahead.
Culinary Experiences
Our meticulously planned journey through the Highlands had an unexpected twist—we intended to seek out the hidden culinary gems of the region.
However, these aren’t truly hidden; they are simply less frequented. The charm of the Scottish Highlands is that, often, the lesser-known locales possess equal, if not greater, beauty than the highly regarded attractions.
Typically, sights may gain fame through films, television shows, or stunning photographs, leading to an unfair attention disparity. For example, Eilean Donan Castle surged in popularity after being featured in iconic films like Highlander, despite the fact that many equally stunning castles are scattered throughout the Highlands that do not receive the same recognition!
Discovering Hidden Gems
We planned to venture further into the Highlands to uncover these remarkable hidden gems—while still visiting the popular destinations—there was no way I was going to miss out on the mesmerizing NC500!
Upon arriving in Inverness, we procured our rental vehicle and made our way to the Cairngorms, specifically to Rothiemurchus.
Our morning agenda began with white-water rafting—though not before a refreshing cup of tea, of course.
Ultimately, due to recent rainfall, we had to pivot from the initial plan of tubing down the river to an exhilarating quad biking escapade throughout the Cairngorms.
Quad biking allowed us to indulge my quest for adventure while simultaneously experiencing the breathtaking countryside.
There was simply no way we could have explored as far on foot, and more importantly, it was tremendous fun!
We paused at local farms to observe the iconic hairy coos (Highland cattle), raced through forests, and splashed through streams! (Did I mention how exhilarating it was?)
When the rain began, we returned to The Druie Café for a delightful lunch, accompanied by another soothing cup of tea to warm our spirits.
Enthralled by the quality of their cakes (where we had earlier enjoyed tea), I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious beef stew we ordered for lunch.
When the cake arrived (alongside refreshing Ginger beer), The Druie quickly secured its place among my favorite spots in the Cairngorms.
Afterward, we made our way to Loch an Eilein to walk off some of that cake and explore the castle situated in the center of the loch…
Eventually, we were picked up to explore the estate’s deer. Scotland is home to numerous wild deer, but the ones on the estate are accustomed to visitors and eagerly approach for a treat!
A delightful sight was the female deer, accompanied by adorable fawns and a younger stag.
These deer can be quite clumsy and might even step on your feet in their eagerness for food, so caution is advised around the stags particularly.
I absolutely treasured this experience and cannot recommend it highly enough for those intending to explore the Cairngorms!
For dinner, we made our way to The Old Bridge Inn, where I was treated to a much-anticipated pre-dinner pint before savoring a delightful Scottish salmon starter (for myself) and a leek and potato soup for Lloyd.
Meals included lamb (for me) and duck breast for Lloyd! To add to this, the food at The Old Bridge Inn is nothing short of spectacular! Although the service could have been better, particularly since it was quite busy during our visit, it is forgivable.
This popularity justifies the recommendation to secure a reservation beforehand; you do not want to risk disappointment should you arrive without a table booked.
However, should one find themselves without a reservation, it could present the perfect reason to enjoy a refreshing pint or a crisp glass of wine at the bar.
To cap off the evening, Lloyd opted for the Scottish cheese board while I indulged in the creme brûlée! In summary, dinner at The Old Bridge Inn was exceptional and comes highly recommended.
After a brief interlude to enjoy the live music at the Inn, we decided to retire for the evening and head back to Bydand for a well-deserved rest after a fulfilling day across the Cairngorms!
Tomorrow promises the allure of the stunning North Coast 500, which I eagerly anticipate.
