Day 7: Oban
Breathtaking Glencoe, Beautiful Oban and British Sweets
Today was my biggest WOW moment since we left Edinburgh but it started with slight disappointment. We were supposed to take hike in Glencoe but it rained. Plan B was to a gondola ride on Ben Nevis but it was too windy. Plan C was a stop at the Commando Memorial and a trip to the Glenfinnan Viaduct AKA the Harry Potter train before making our way to Glencoe.
As we came upon Glencoe, with Adele’s dramatic theme from Skyfall blasting though the coach, my heart was in my throat. It stayed there the whole time we were there. I thought the atmosphere would be somber because of the massacre there in 1692 but it was the opposite. Everyone was taking pictures out the window of the coach and oohing and aahing at the scenery. When we got off of the bus, it was evident that this place is more than just beautiful. There is a healing energy there that is palpable and ineffable. I didn’t care that it was windy and raining and I left my jacket on the bus. I wanted to stay in that incredible energy much, much longer. Magic, magic, magic.
After the majesty of Glencoe we made our way to Oban. Anne's music choice was perfection twice that day. She played "Land Below the Waves" by the band Skipinnish as the seaside town came into view. This quickly became my favorite song. I still listen to it frequently and every time it reminds me of Scotland and the warm Heberdian breeze.
Just like in Inverness, we were split between two hotels in Oban. Matt and I stayed in the Glenburnie Hotel, which was fabulous. I don't know how we lucked into a bay view room but we were not complaining! Matt commented, as we were sitting in the armchairs looking out the window, "I feel like we're on a cruise ship!" It was that relaxing!
Just like in Inverness, we were split between two hotels in Oban. Matt and I stayed in the Glenburnie Hotel, which was fabulous. I don't know how we lucked into a bay view room but we were not complaining! Matt commented, as we were sitting in the armchairs looking out the window, "I feel like we're on a cruise ship!" It was that relaxing!
We opted for the famous fish and chips shop where I got haddock and Matt, ever the adventurer, order haggis for the second time, this time deep-fried.
After dinner we walked out to the grocery store to see about getting a few beers to bring back to hotel. We soon realized none of the beer was refrigerated. A little taken aback by this cultural difference we opted to stop into a pub for a drink but not before walking out of the shore with a few British sweets to try. I’ll let the pictures illustrate how I felt about them. |