by In the first 15 minutes of rising, the weather change from sunny to rainy to windy and cloudy to sunny to rainy-this would continue all day. We drive south from Oberon and around the scenic tourist route to Inveraray-some beautiful coastal scenery and several examples of standing stones used for religious, burial, and council purposes. They are not dissimilar stones such as Stonehenge. And Inverary we visited the castle of the Dukes of Argyle – Inverary castle. It was impressive and well worth the time and money. Great armory, Kitchen, paintings, dining hall, drawing rooms, and outfits… It’s still the home of the Duke of Argyle so some parts are still private.
Following the roads, to Stirling, we passed along the Bonnie Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. We took both the high and the low roads. We stopped On the beautiful banks of the lock for lunch-in bright sunlight, before having to dash to the car as the wind and rain returned.
We drive into Stirling after lunch and went straight to Bannockburn to hear the story of the greatest Scottish battle which was one over the English in 1307? By Robert the Bruce. It was very good.
Next Stirling castle is the most impressive castle we have seen, not that we would not have seen the others which are all different and well worthwhile. The castle is currently being renovated for a measly £20 million. The Great Hall is to be completed in September it will be fantastic. Interestingly the buildings were originally covered with a plaster facade of sorts in a gold/yellow colour – not all boring and dull grey granite.
Admission price includes a free half-hour tour and entry to the Duke of Argyle stealing residence (worth a look) the kitchen in Stirling castle was impressive. The castle-like Edinburgh Castle is also a top of Crag and tail up to 250 feet above the surrounding towns.
Unfortunately, the William Wallace monument was already closed by the time we got to it so it was just waiting till the morning. We had a hot chocolate or 2 and then retire to a B&B for the evening, our last night in Scotland.
