In another life, I was Scottish. Or British, at least! For me, Scotland has always been a mythical land. Green and golden Highlands, old towns, castles, landscapes that take away your breath ... enough to feed my dreams of big spaces and discoveries for at least 10 years!
So, in another life, I roamed through the Highlands horseback riding, my hair flying in the wind, bathing in the infinite lakes and traveling from castle to castle ... Well, failing to live in the Middle Ages, with all the disadvantages that are related to that, I propose to make you relive my journey through Scotland, not on horseback, but by bus!
First love : Edinburgh. Imagine you arrive from a magnificent, elegant, but cold and rainy London. And suddenly, out of the bus, Edinburgh stands before you, bathed in a golden light, green, dynamic and quiet at a time. And your friendly couchsurfing host who welcomes you with a charming French : « Should we give each other one or two kisses? "I am delighted! A day walking in the city, discovering the medieval district, admiring the sea in the distance, climbing a hill overlooking a beautiful view of a chain of white and fluffy mountains (we're in March) ... paradise ! And for dinner, a traditional dish! Are you afraid to try the Haggis, the famous dish of sheep's paunch? If you like meat pie, you will love it! You can always fill yourself with scones and cream, if you do not wish to taste the traditional dish!
Edinburgh is beautiful, but it is necessary to explore the rest of Scotland! I suggest you do it by bus: the local service, Citylink, offers excellent packages for a few days, allowing you to multiply the stops and to move quickly and comfortably on the territory.
In my case, 5-day package, go! A little detour by Glasgow before arriving in paradise (another) on earth: the Highlands. While sunlight pierce the clouds and bathes the atmosphere of a golden light, the mountains rise before us, on the turning of a sinuous curve of the road to Fort William. The face stamped in the window, smiling ear to ear, I have only one desire: to yell at the driver to stop to enjoy the show. Contain yourself !!! I almost cried because of so much beauty. Seriously.
Love. Ohhh love. Fort William. Before arriving there, while looking at the lakes that crisscross the mountains, I wonder about this destination. Is it possible to beat or have another surprise after the magnificent spectacle that was just offered to me? Maybe! I arrive at the bus station.
I always prefer walking to go to hostels: inexpensive, it allows you to discover hidden places and have unexpected perspectives on the hidden treasures of the cities, at you own pace.
So, get out of the station, turn left onto Belford Road, pass the hospital and Lochaber Leisure Centre and continue straight at the roundabout, just after the Glen Nevis camping, for 5 kilometers. It's nothing, 5 km, when we have all the time!
I walk along a beautiful and crystalline river, surrounded by snowy mountains. The further I go, the more I sink in the Highlands. I quietly leave the small town ... am I on the right path? I stop at a park information to ask. I am not far off! I continue to walk while admiring the mountains (I'm very contemplative). Glen Nevis, Ben Nevis, why do I see these names everywhere around me?
I arrive at the hostel. BUT WHAT HOSTEL! All made of wood, spacious, clean, dormitories (empty, for me!) that smell like forest and the beautiful river flows right across the street. Speaking on the other side of the street, what is this huge mountain that I can not see the top, directly in front of my bedroom window? "This is Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK! What !? 3 p.m., I have time to hike a little! Incredible panoramas, peaceful sheep, friendly people ... the ingredients for an infinite love!
I take the road, the day after, with the desire to stay. You can be sure I tried! Last stop before returning to Edinburgh : Inverness. The road to get there is beautiful. Weaving through lakes and mountains, it allows you to discover castles seated on the banks of lakes and breathtaking panoramas.
Inverness. Where you can meet Nessie (the Loch Ness monster) at any time, at the corner of a path, for example! Inverness, where the sunset bathes the city in a bluish glow and where the night illuminates the roofs of an almost living light. Where long walks along the water, with people from all over the world, will make you discover a beautiful architecture and where people will smile to you, on the street, to make you feel ... at home!
Mathilde Crépin-Bournival
Je suis une géographe qui souhaite raconter des histoires à travers mon objectif. Je mise sur la beauté, peu importe la forme qu’elle prend, pour vous montrer les dessous, souvent insoupçonnés, des endroits que l’on visite!