Sunday 09 July, Glen Urquhart, Glen Affric and Aberdeenshire


After this walk, we follow Glen Urquhart and take the road from Cannich into Glen Affric towards Loch Affric.


Unfortunately, we are out of film. We promise, next time we take more pictures. And we did, these pictures are made in 2002.

Monday 10 July 2000, to Bielfeld near Aberdeen
We hope you haven't got the impression we are incorrigibly alcoholics (Elisabeth doesn't drink at all, back in Holland and Teije just sticks to a few beers). But the Scottish (yes, it's all their fault) are very hospitable and they all offered us a drink, which we couldn't refuse, of course. And it was our last night in this hotel (we didn't know then that we would not only return again within two weeks, but also the next years). We had talked with Iain and Cathy, the owners, till far beyond closing time, so we show up quite late for breakfast.

. On the way we pass by Castle Fraser, which we visit. It is administered by the NTS (The National Trust for Scotland) and we find out they are the 'expensive Trust' (Historic Scotland being the cheap one). They administer almost half of all the castles and ruins and ask £ 10,- (€ 16) per person as entrance fee. In 2001, the fees have been reduced. But we must say, the castle was very impressive to walk through.
After a short visit to Aberdeen, we drive back to Bielfeld were we have seen a nice inn, 13 kilometers from Aberdeen. In the Bielside Inn, people are also very hospitable, but we did notice a difference with the Highlanders, but we don't know how to describe these differences precisely. Anyway, we still feel very comfortable with the Scotsmen.
Tuesday 11 July 2000, Aberdeenshire, Archeolink and Aberdeen
The day starts dull and especially windy. We first go to the Archeolink Prehistory Park, where they show very fascinating audiovisual exhibitions, but the constructions of buildings from different time periods outside are also very interesting. Just when we walk outside, it starts to drizzle. The wind is rising and the nice walk becomes a run to see as much as possible in a short time.Very annoying for Teije, because he has this uncontrolled inclination to read all the information signboards. So, he gets wet, while Elisabeth has returned to the warm and dry museum. But we can recommend a visit to this park, assuming that it is dry and not too windy. It tells about the history of Scotland from about 6.000 BC. until 84 AD. (the battle of Mons Graupius in which the Romans defeated the Picts). In the open-air there are reconstructions of buildings and archeological sites from different time periods.



At night we have a long conversation with a Scot who has lived in Holland for some time and therefore speaks a little Dutch. He tells us about an amusing book about the Dutch people, which we can recommend to everybody who wants to know more about the Dutch and their strange habits: The Undutchables. It is available in English as well as in Dutch. We buy it immediately after our holiday and really like it. We have never known we are such a funny people.