Highest of high

The sun decided to come out today. Albeit only occasionally, however it certainly added to the overall picturesqueness of the Scottish vistas we experienced throughout the course of the day. The blogger arose early and wandered up the noisy road to catch the bus to the airport in order to collect the required wheels for the few days ensuing adventures. All went well until confronted by the hordes of travellers alighting from planes wanting the same thing. Hopefully Brexit will fix this. Eventually independent, we took to the roads and headed north for the highlands with a few diversions and lessons along the way. First diversion was missed turnoff's and thus insights into obscure Scottish towns. Well their main streets anyway. Key lesson was get a real map. Regardless of the tech nothing beats a good old printed piece of paper to show the way.

Another diversion was St.Andrews and setting a couple of course records. Shortest time on the tee. Most pictures taken per time spent. Least number of strokes taken. Definitely worthy of entries into the record books. Foresaking the tourist routes and using our new found technology ( printed maps) we hightailed up the highway listening to the best and worst of the 80's on our digital radio whilst the technological marvel of our VW spirited us towards our destination. Eventually we turned left and headed up in to the hills. Verdant plains graced our vision along the way. As did a variety of vistas that often reminded of home until the old stone buildings and strange sounding place names showed we were indeed in a strange land. Absolutely beautiful though. An abundance of the local floral emblem lined the roads along with green gullies, bubbling creeks, autumn leaves, an abundance of fir trees and the occasional road kill ( rabbits).

Higher and Higher we climbed. Sometimes seriously steep roads. This as a great drive. Eventually we shot over the very top of the highlands which were set up for the serious business of snow skiing. Give it a month or two and they'll be in to it. These hills are unique. They resonate in a variety of colours and shades as the varying light bounces off the vegitation patches in cacophony of patchwork patterns whilst the vista desolves into the distance. Photo's courtesy of Ro.

And thus we arrived in Tomintul. Highest town in the Speyside region and as quaint to boot. Dinner at the joint across the road from our abode was superb. Seems like the town is full of touring Middle Aged Men On Motorcycles (MAMON's). Given the well made roads it's not surprising. A couple of drams of the local finest whilst listening to the life imitating art of the bar staff soap opera was thoroughly entertaining whilst increasing the verbosity of this post.