The Scotland Trip, Nov 2018. Day 3
29.Nov.18. Fort William
I dare say the best part of the whole trip began on this day. The foul weather aside, we had been looking forward to this morning. Craig’s parents, Eileen and Michael, drove out from Newcastle to meet us in Glasgow. We were picked up from the AirBnb at 9.30 a.m., and headed out to a breakfast place I found on TripAdvisor — the Wilson Street Pantry.
It was a few streets over from where we stayed and had high ratings on the app. The food was again delicious, and so was the coffee. They do a mean full Scottish breakfast — it was probably the first time I came to fully appreciate the Scottish wonders that are potato scones and Scottish sausages. Then again, the cafe is on the steeper end of the spectrum — a really rustic interior and undoubtedly hipster. So if you were on a budget, you would do well to find one of the countless other good and affordable cafes in town.
The road trip to the Highlands officially began then with happy and full stomachs. We made our way to the gorgeous A82 route and set the destination to Fort William, which was just 5 minutes drive away from our next AirBnb. Craig and I made ourselves comfortable in the backseats with cushions and throws while Eileen blasted her favourite Kelly Clarkson album. I did not mind it at all. If there was just one thing that dampened my mood, it was the constant rain which obscured the best views in the country. Yet, it was cosy enough in the car that I remained contented.
Since our journey began early, it was almost a given to make a stop at Tyndrum, which is a small village situated just about halfway to Fort William. Attached to their gas station is a gift shop, a convenience store and a large cafe, making it the perfect rest stop. The cafe has surprisingly large choices of bakes and they looked mouthwatering. As I was still rather full from breakfast, I went for the classic but delightful set of cream tea while everyone else went wild with the sweets.
We browsed at the gift shop for quite some time, and purchased snacks for the journey at the convenience store. We tried hard not to overdo the latter but failed rather badly. During a conversation a few days prior, Michael brought up the existence of a British condiment — pickled mussels. Since then I had been very eager to try it and to my luck found it at the very convenience store at Tyndrum. It was a dangerous item to purchase on a road trip, not least because it is mostly liquid sold in glass jars but also for its distinct and pungent smell of seafood and vinegar. I felt the thrill as well as guilt for opening the jar to sample a few mussels immediately. Alas, my cravings rarely have self-control, but to everyone’s relief no incident occurred before we got to our AirBnb.
It was barely after 4 p.m. when we arrived at our AirBnb but there was already little light left in the winter sky. In fact, with the rain the visibility was so low that we had missed the driveway of the cabin the first time and had to take a U-turn 5 minutes away.
This story would not be complete if I did not divulge some details on the selecting of the Heron Bay cabin. Craig and I tend to go to further lengths than an average couple to find a hotel/AirBnb, and Heron Bay was supposed to fit many of the criteria we had — a good location, affordable price, comfort, decently furnished and stylish, and overall experience, just to name a few. On top of that we wanted to make sure both Eileen and Michael had a say in the choice and as such, we had a voting procedure as well. This place was supposed to be the highlight of the trip, and we were all very much looking forward to the arrival.
The cabin did not disappoint. In fact we could all agree it was worth all the trouble we went to agreeing on this place. The Heron Bay cabin lies on the bank of Loch Linnhe, along the A82, and 10 minutes drive to Fort William.
It was a beautiful location, with the glen on the other bank overlooking the bay. We could not see much on arrival, but the sound of the loch was impossible to ignore. The lodge was really faultless. On entry we were greeted by the spacious and inviting living room, a large dining table, a fire place and a pile of logs which added to the country experience for us city folks. The ensuite bedrooms were located on opposite ends so there was a lot of privacy as well. To top that off, the bathrooms had amazing 360 degree showers, huge tubs, and heated flooring! It was hard to leave the bathroom, since it was probably warmer than the rest of the lodge. The kitchen was well-equipped too. You could tell they never had a lack of guests because there was a generous variety of goods and cooking essentials left behind and an array of fancy teas and coffees. Needless to say, everyone was impressed.
We took note of all that was available in the lodge and prepared to take off again to Fort William for a grocery run. Craig and I hurtled into the little Tesco like a couple of children on a school trip. It is no secret between us that grocery shopping is one of our favourite couple activities. I wonder if this applies to most couples or just the ones going through the long distance woes. We indulged ourselves a tad more, filling the trolley with more items than were essential. Every potential meal was accounted for, no matter how trivial.
When we arrived back at the cabin there was one major problem awaiting us. The heater in the cabin did not seem to be working even though we have left it on for quite some time then. I was no expert in workings of the Scottish heating system, or even the British one to be frank, and let Craig and his parents fuss over it.
Before the misery of the cold and damp could set in, Michael turned his attention towards the fireplace which at the moment appeared to be our best chance at getting some heat. Craig too could not help himself but join in the fire-making business, something which he never had a chance to do before. He was so focused and determined to be successful that it was a joy watching him in the process. If you have not realised by now, I am utterly in love with him and did fall in love again right there as a girl would when she sees her boyfriend playing with a child.
It took about twenty minutes before the fire was up and roaring, while our luck turned around the same time as the heaters began to work miraculously. Everyone then took their turn for a hot satisfying bath. It had been a very long day indeed.
We cooked our ready meals from Tesco and was finally ready to wind down by the fire. I prepared my favourite instant noodle, spicy and steaming to warm me up from the inside. No one ate at the dining table.
Telly was on the background but we paid little attention. The rain was still going strong outside, but it did not matter for our chatter was just as raucous. I had wished that time would stop then.
