A second visit to Greenock was for us…. Overcast and cold…
but that is the charm of Scotland, well maybe not for the people who live
there.
This gentleman has been playing the bagpipes at some of our arrivals and departures from port.
Hello Greenock
The New Cruise Terminal
Walking off the ship humming the tune of Mull of
Kintyre in my head, I was drowned out by the real thing, a lone piper welcoming
us to this bonny port of call. Finding our driver, we were soon winding our way
through the Scottish rolling hills heading towards Inveraray.
Incorporating a comfort stop with a scenic view of
the lovely Loch Lomond, we stopped on the outskirts of Tarbet. There stood the
majestic Tarbet Hotel, where many of the tourist buses were stopping to
deliver their guests to the Scenic Ferries that cruise up and down the loch. We drove further up into the mountains to the
famous “Rest and be Thankful” lookout. A stunning mountain pass viewpoint that divides Glen Kinglas from Glen Croe. Named appropriately, as it was once a place where people traveling the country would
stop, rest, and be thankful that they had reached the top of their climb. The upper road you can see is the new A road... the lower is the old Military route.
Eventually reaching Inveraray, we spent some time
wandering the main street visiting the many beautiful white-washed buildings and the shops
they accommodated.
Waterfront
there is a pride to everyones backyard here
Of course, we enjoyed
the obligatory sausage roll and cream tea for lunch.
Home of the Chief of Clan Campbell, Inveraray
Castle is a classic example of a stunning and impressive stately home in
Scotland. Beautifully maintained by the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, it is one of
the most popular castles to visit.
One of its claims to fame was that the castle was
used as the location for the mythical “Duneagle Castle” in the Downton Abbey
Christmas 2012 episode.
Our final stop was the lovely little village of
Luss, regarded as one the prettiest Scottish villages that sits on the banks of
Loch Lomond. Luss is famous for its quaint slate cottages and beautiful hanging
flower baskets.After our full day of sightseeing, we caught up with
wonderful friends that we had made on previous cruises. And what is even more wonderful now is that these two groups of friends have established a friendship
and now keep in contact with each other…..
We continued our party on the back of deck 11
after we staggered back onto the ship. Waving
enthusiastically to our Scottish friends shoreside, we continued with our
celebrations into the night… all I can say is “What happens on the ship, stays
on the ship”
our friends had a drone!
Great memories of this visit...
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