Page 15 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

DISC OVERING SC O TLAND  13

Day 5: Skye to Inverness Day 7: Macbeth and Whisky
Cross over the sea to Skye Shakespeare probably invented
(Easter–mid-Oct; fewer ferries Macbeth’s association with
in winter) (pp156–7) and use Cawdor Castle (May–Oct)
it as a stepping stone back to (p150), but visit this wonderful
the mainland by means of the small building anyway. Every-
bridge near the quaint village of thing about it is bewitching.
Kyleakin. Soon you’ll pass the Lunch by the sandy lagoon of
very picturesque Eilean Donan Findhorn and then drive to
Castle (p155). Take a slightly Dufftown, the capital of
longer route via lochs Garry and Speyside whiskies (pp148–9).
Oich to charming Fort Augustus Even if you don’t like the taste of
and the Caledonian Canal to the “water of life”, a distillery tour
reach the day’s highlight – Loch is fas cinating. Sleep wherever
Ness (pp152–3), mysterious and the whisky trail takes you!
inspiring whether you believe Dufftown is a good option.
in monsters or not. Judge the Gardens at Cawdor Castle, still the stately
evi dence for yourself at exhibi- Day 8: Deeside to home of the Thanes of Cawdor
tions in Drumnadrochit, where the “Antarctic”
you’ll also find the ruins of From Dufftown a roller-coaster cathedral and its carefree
Urquhart Castle. Sleep in road leads past ski slopes into student atmosphere. Then find
Inverness (pp150–51). Queen Victoria’s favourite a place for lunch on the drive
landscape, Royal Deeside around the East Neuk coastline
Day 6: Around Inverness (pp148–9). Go to Ballater and (p128), which shows, without
Spend the morning on a take the route south which question, Scotland’s most
Jacobite Cruise (Mar–Sep) gives the option of visiting picturesque harbour villages.
(p151) on Loch Ness, ideally one Balmoral Castle (limited Nowadays there are more
that includes the Caledonian opening) or Scone Palace artists than fishermen here.
Canal rather than just the loch. (Apr–Oct) (p126), or shopping Tear yourself away in time for
Alternatively, hunt for dolphins in the fair city of Perth (p126) a visit to Falkland Palace
in the Moray Firth or, depend- if the other sights are closed. (summer only) (p128), a
ing on your interests, plan to Leave enough time to spend stunning Renaissance hunting
spend part of the morning at at least one-and-a-half hours lodge designed for the Stuart
Culloden (p150) or Fort George in the Antarctic, brilliantly kings, and a favourite haunt of
(p150). To really understand recreated at Discovery Point Mary, Queen of Scots. Return to
Highlanders and their history, in Dundee (p127). Spend the your favourite East Neuk spot
see the moving exhibition on night in this friendly wee city. for the night.
the Battle of Culloden which
ended the old clan culture. A Day 9: St Andrews and the Day 10: East Neuk Back to
walk around Fort George, among East Neuk the Start
the best examples of military The famous golf course is The distances from East Neuk
fortification in Europe, is equally always fully booked months to the start of this whole tour
impres sive. Stay a second night ahead, but visit St Andrews are short so the final day’s
in Inverness or move on to Nairn. (p127) for its golfing museum, route possibilities are many.
Dunfermline Abbey (mid-
Mar–mid-Oct) (pp128–9) is
the last of the imposing
landmarks well worth a visit,
or head to the beautifully
preserved 16th-century village
of Culross (p129). Walk a
section of the Fife Coastal
Trail (p199) or, if you missed
them, take in either the
magnificent Stirling Castle
(pp124–5) or the impressive
Falkirk Wheel (p129). If you
return to Edinburgh you can
see the amazing Forth Rail
Bridge (p75) on the way and,
time permitting, follow in the
Queen’s footsteps on board
the former Royal Yacht
The Caledonian Canal at Fort Augustus, along the scenic route to Loch Ness Britannia (p74).

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