The Highlands and Loch Ness

The next day, we set out for our tour of the highlands and Loch Ness. The tour company picked us up from our hostel, which was nice, and we left Glasgow at about 8 that morning. 

We stopped at a couple of towns in the Highlands, but it was mostly a bus tour. The highlands are absolutely beautiful, but they're somehow different from the countryside of Ireland. They're...wilder. More dangerous. I was almost afraid of nature as we stopped and took pictures and passed it on the road. Irish wild is just green and beautiful. Scottish wild looks like it bites back. 

The weather was, for the majority of the trip, abysmal. It rained, it was freezing, and the wind would not let up. Here I am in front of the Three Sisters Mountains, considered some of the most dangerous climbing mountains in Europe, with my hair planning an escape. 

In the afternoon, we went to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. It was really beautiful, but REALLY touristy, and the lake doesn't have many places to walk around. We went on a short nature hike near the lake and then took some pictures by what little shore there was. 

I was disappointed overall that we spent so much time on the bus, and didn't stop in as many places as I would have wanted. For the price, I think we should have had more photo ops. But I know that had I not gone, I'd be kicking myself forever, wishing that I had gone to Loch Ness when I had the chance. 

Two things I learned from this vacation: come with a plan, and stick to that plan. Overall, I'm glad I went, but I know I need to prepare better for the 10 day break I have planned later in the month.