We woke up early after our last (second) night at the Marriott. We tried packing sandwiches from the breakfast but they weren't very good so we threw them away! Oh well. So much for thrift on our trip. Thrift and this trip didn't get along. We stopped first at Dumbarton castle. It's being renovated, but egads the area is beautiful. Here are some shots of the place.
I got Whit to stop on our way out so you could see it up on the hill (in the top right). It's so high up!!
Here it was up closer.
Then we headed out to see Loch Lommond. On the way we stopped at Balloch castle. Funny name, right? They mostly all have funny names! It is being used as an education building and the surrounding grounds are GORGEOUS. They were getting ready for a fun run, though so we didn't stay long. It would be fun to do a run around castle grounds! Ha!
From the grounds of Balloch castle, you could see another castle! We actually drove past it on our way to Loch Lommond.
After that we drove along until we reached Luss. It's right on the lake. I stood in the lake (lots of Scots were there camping and doing water things. HOLY CRAP that water was cold.)
Brian didn't get wet. A WUSS IN LUSS! HA!
Loch Lommond was really pretty.
Here's Whit, looking pretty cute from behind, walking around Luss. We stopped in a little shop and bought a highland heather necklace for me and pin for my mom and also bought some shortbread.
Beautiful area.
Oh yeah--apparently there was a SHOCKING heat wave while we were there. Everyone uses C here, but they put it in F for the paper because 86 sounds terribly shocking to all the scots. HA! HOSPITALS were all prepped for people who would have HEAT stroke from the 86 degree weather! The only bummer is no one has air conditioning!
I thought this pathetic cat in front of a shop was so funny!
I also thought this sign was pretty funny!! No dog FOULING!!
Then we found the Castle Inverlochy by accident on our way. It was a really neat castle, right on the River Lochy. We just walked around on it for free, exploring on our own.
This is just right behind the castle. Isn't it gorgeous!? Yes, I'm referring to that handsome fellow there. The scenery is really pretty too...
After Inverlochy, we found Urquhart Castle, which is right on Loch Ness. We looked for a long time, but we never saw Nessie! We did make it to the Nessie museum, but still no sign of her.
Urquhart castle was really beautiful.
This castle was really cool. It was really fragmented. Gate house, with a restaurant and shop. Courtyard. Towers all over. Kinda strange. The whole of the castle had a lot of REALLY low ceilings.
Loch Ness was beautiful!
Here we are standing by the lake.
I LOVE THIS MAN!
THREE pairs of FEET!
We had lunch at the castle. It was pretty good! It was my first time to get scones and jam!
Here's their latrine.
Their bed area! Looks comfy!
This guy did a REALLY neat presentation on the Scottish throne and history of the castle. He also went into knights, etc.
More beautiful weather!
A little duck in Loch Ness. I hope it doesn't get eaten by Nessie!!
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