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Go Girl Travel UK Escape - Day 9

All good things must come to an end they say, but not to worry! We are already planning our next Go Girl Travel Escape. 😁

Thank you so much for following along with us! If you have never been to the UK, we hope that our travels were inspiration and motivation for you to book the trip you've always wanted to take. If not the UK, then where? Let us help you plan the perfect escape on your bucket list.

Our biggest takeaway..... Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK should be on everyone's bucket list! Cheers!

Go Girl Travel UK Escape - Day 8

Our last full day of this amazing trip started with rain in Edinburgh and lasted most of the day, but we pushed forward with our itinerary soaking in every moment (figuratively and literally, lol.) Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland located on the Southeastern Coast. Similar to Dublin, it is a walkable city for the most part and Delta now offers direct flights from select US cities.

Our first stop of the day was at Swanston Farm which is located just a few miles from Edinburgh and easily accessible by taxi/Uber. It is described as "a true haven near the city for those who want to stay, work or unwind closer to nature." You can visit this 700-acre working farm for the day or a weekend retreat and choose from activities like golf, hiking, biking, walking, etc. Our interest was mainly to experience the Highland Cows (pronounced Coos in Scotland) up close and personal.

We were delighted to meet Thelma and Louise plus 2-year old Haggis. This ancient breed of cattle is known for its flowing mane and horns. These majestic creatures have long, shaggy coats that vary from red, to black, to yellow. You'll see from the photos that the rain was also causing them to have a bad hair day. They were happily eating and couldn't be bothered with us, but we enjoyed observing them, all while taking in spectacular vistas of the farm and Edinburgh in the distance.

We also had brunch at the brasserie which was delicious! It was obvious by the crowds that it is a popular restaurant with locals as well. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner but days vary. Reservations are recommended.

After our visit to the farm, we headed back to Edinburgh for more sightseeing. The Royal Mile (High Street) is the stretch of road from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood. You will find LOTS of souvenir shops, restaurants and tourist attractions here along with bag pipe buskers. So cool! Part of the street is closed to pedestrians only which we learned when Google Maps sent us on a wrong turn the day before when trying to return our rental car.😫

Next up was our self-guided tour of Holyrood House. If you have time to see both Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyrood House, we would recommend it but we only had time for one. Holyrood House was founded in 1100 and the Abbey in 1128 and it is the official residence of King Charles III when he is visiting Scotland. It was also the home of Scottish royal history like Mary Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert also stayed on long visits.

It is much smaller than some of the other royal residences like Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle but just as beautiful. We were especially impressed with the gardens. Breathtaking! The Abbey is still attached to the palace but is only partially complete. It appeared that restoration efforts were underway.

When our tour was completed, we enjoyed a proper afternoon British tea in the cafe. For afternoon tea sittings, reservations are a must but if you only want to purchase snacks, pastries, etc., they will accept walk ups. The food was fabulous as were the scones and the clotted cream.....our last time eating clotting cream for awhile. So yummy, and nothing like it in the US.

With our last day coming to an end so quickly, we left the palace and walked back on the other side of The Royal Mile then back to our hotel to unpack our treasures and get ready for our last reservation of the day......dinner at Johnnie Walker's 1820 Rooftop Bar.

Johnnie Walker's distillery is located right on Princes Street (a busy part of the city with historical monuments, restaurants, shops and hotels. We were not interested in doing the whiskey tour, but it is a busy tourist attraction, so book tickets in advance.

We were excited to eat dinner at the restaurant because it has the most spectacular views of Edinburgh especially at night. The views are almost 360 degrees on the exterior in the outdoor dining area which is perfect for sunny and warm days. Even though it was closed to outdoor dining, you can still go outside to soak in the views. The food is served tapas-style. We really enjoyed the buffalo chicken and chips we ate. They also offer a plethora of creative cocktails.

Edinburgh was truly a great ending to our UK Escape, and we packed as much in as possible in our short 1 1/2 days in the city. It's time to plan our next trip.😁

Go Girl Travel UK Escape - Day 7

We were sad to leave our homey little 3 story hotel this morning. The Portree Hotel is right in the city center facing Somerled Square where many community events are held. It is within walking distance to shops, restaurants and a great location where you can find things to do in every direction. Built in 1875 it is full of charm and has a quaint little restaurant and bar on the bottom floor. We had a long travel day ahead to Edinburgh and they were so kind to pack lunches for us to eat along the way. You can always ask your hotel if they provide this service. Note: There are very few restaurants, gas stations, etc. outside the big cities in the UK.

On the way out of town we stopped to take a picture of the sun starting to come up over the Cuillin Hills. In my mind I imagined God blessing us with a painting of the beautiful landscape we were leaving behind. It was truly magical and a moment I’ll never forget.

If you choose to rent a car and tour on on your own like we did, make sure you have a confident, somewhat experienced driver among you. I finally got up the confidence to drive some of the more rural roads in Skye and it is difficult to gage how close you are to the center line when driving to n the opposite side of the road and car. When a big tour bus passes you might tend to veer too close to the curb. 😳 I’m not saying I did but the tire is fine.

The drive from Isle of Skye to Edinburgh is stunning and offers several scenic routes but the most beautiful is via the A87, A82, and A85. Here is a breakdown of this picturesque journey that we experienced:

We travelled east from Skye, crossing the Skye bridge. We drove through the breathtaking Glen Shiel and saw the five sisters of Kintail mountains. The legend of the Five Sisters of Kintail tells the story of seven sisters, daughters of a local farmer, two of whom married visiting brothers, who said they would send their five other brothers for the remaining five sisters to wed. However, no one returned and the five remaining sisters agreed for a local wizard to transform them into peaks in order to preserve their beauty while they waited. We stopped to take a quick picture at a very crowded car park area. I believe our picture may only have three of the sisters because we were too close to capture them all. 😊

Although we didn't have time to stop, we were able to see Eilean Donan Castle from the road. I snapped a photo from the car and wished we had more time to explore. Perched on a small island where three lochs meet, this romantic fortress boasts a breathtaking setting and is one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks. People from around the world visit to admire its famous view and learn about its rich history.

As we headed toward Fort William, we drove pasts the stunning Loch Cluanie and Loch Lochy. We continued on towards Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most famous and dramatic landscapes. The Glencoe Valley offers some of the most stunning mountain and moorland views. The area offers numerous hiking opportunities and the drive through the Glen is breathtaking with towering mountains on both sides.

We proceeded to Fort William from there which is often referred to as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK.” It is a small town located at the foot of Ben Nevis. It is a hub for outdoor activities like hiking, climbing and skiing (in the winter.) It also serves as the terminus to the WEST HIGHLAND WAY, a long distance hiking trail from Glasgow.

One thing that many like to do here is ride the Jacobite Steam Train, often called the “Harry Potter Train,” which travels over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. You can also visit the Nevis Range and ride the gondola up the mountain.

Ben Nevis, standing at 1,345 meters, is the tallest mountain in the British Isles. Dee Anna and I were eager to say we’d been there and snap a quick picture. The mountain was about 10 kilometers off the main road, with the last 3 kilometers being a single-track road full of deep potholes. Despite being on a tight schedule, we were determined to at least catch a glimpse of it from below.

When we finally reached the car park, we asked which of the visible peaks was Ben Nevis, only to be told that it wasn’t visible from there. To see it, you had to hike from the car park along a path leading through a gorge. After scrambling up the rocky trail, the view would open up, leading into a serene upper glen. A wire bridge crosses the gorge to the base of a waterfall, offering a clear view of the mountain.

Unfortunately, pressed for time, we couldn’t make the hike. Disappointed, we headed back to the main road and continued on to Edinburgh, missing the chance to see Ben Nevis up close.

At this point, we were out of time to make any more stops if we wanted to make our 3:00 reservation to a place I'll share with you later. I really wish we could have spent at least a day at each location, but it gives me a reason to return in the future. I'll mention some of the things we didn't get a chance to see for your reference, but I definitely encourage you to explore them further on your own.

We passed through Callander which is a charming town located in the Stirling council area of Scotland, often referred to as the "Gateway to the Highlands." It lies on the eastern edge of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, making it a popular stop for visitors exploring the natural beauty of the region.

The town itself is picturesque, with traditional stone buildings, cozy cafes, and local shops, making it a lovely stop for both nature lovers and those seeking a quaint Scottish village experience.

The next town I would have liked to have seen is Doune. Doune is a small village in the Stirling council area of Scotland, located near the River Teith, about 8 miles northwest of Stirling. It is best known for **Doune Castle**, a well-preserved medieval fortress that has become famous for its appearances in film and television.

Key Highlights of Doune:
- **Doune Castle**:
- **History**: Built in the late 14th century by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, the castle has a fascinating history and was an important strategic stronghold in medieval Scotland.
- **Pop Culture**: Doune Castle is widely recognized for its role in **Monty Python and the Holy Grail**. More recently, it has been used as a filming location for **Outlander** (as Castle Leoch) and **Game of Thrones** (as Winterfell in the pilot episode).

Doune makes for a great stop if you're interested in Scottish history, beautiful countryside, or pop culture landmarks, and it's easily accessible from Stirling and other nearby areas.

And now the much awaited highlight of our day. For those of you who love the Outlander books or series you will understand. A visit to Midhope Castle!!!!!

Midhope Castle, located near South Queensferry, around 30 minutes from Edinburgh, is a 16th-century tower house and part of the Hopetoun Estate. It is best known as the fictional “Lallybroch House” the family home of Jamie Fraser in *Outlander*. For fans of the series, the exterior of the castle will feel instantly familiar, though the interior is not accessible due to its ruinous state.

While the castle itself is not open to the public, visitors can walk around its exterior and take in the surrounding countryside.

Visitor Information:
- You need to purchase a permit to visit the castle, which can be arranged through the Hopetoun Estate’s website or upon arrival. Keep in mind that access is sometimes restricted due to filming or estate activities.
- If you're planning an Outlander-themed trip, Midhope Castle is a great addition, along with other nearby filming locations like Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace.

Although it limited us on time to stop more along the way we both agree it was worth it. It made me want to go back and rewatch from the beginning to be able to relive the moment all over again.

After we left Midhope Castle we had about a thirty minute drive to our hotel.

The Roseate Edinburgh is a luxurious boutique hotel located in the heart of Edinburgh. Set in a pair of charming Victorian townhouses, it offers a blend of classic elegance and modern comfort, making it a top choice for travelers seeking a refined stay in the city.

The rooms and suites are beautifully designed, with period features, plush furnishings, and luxurious amenities. Each room is individually styled, offering comfort, sophistication, and modern comfort. I loved all of the different places we stayed on our trip but as far as comfort and decor this was my favorite.

From here we dropped off our luggage, returned our car and went straight to our dinner reservation at The Queens Arms. Here we enjoyed a traditional Sunday Roast that was magnificent. We were so excited to have a friend all the way from my hometown who was visiting Edinburgh for missions join us. We laughed and caught up as we enjoyed a wonderful meal. I especially laughed as we tried to get a “good”picture. It had been a very long day and it showed . Thank you Melanie Dempsey for taking the time to join us ❤️

After our dinner we couldn’t wait to get to our rooms and get to bed. We were exhausted. It had been a glorious but very long day.

Go Girl Travel UK Escape - Day 6

Today we soaked in all of the Isle of Skye as possible! Our top two must sees for our last day were the Fairy Pools and Dunvegan Castle. Two nights is not enough when visiting the Isle of Skye! It is a bit of challenge to travel to Isle of Skye because there are no airports nearby. We recommend traveling from Inverness via car which will take about 2 1/2 hours. The route is very scenic. In fact, all of the vistas on the roads in the Highlands of Scotland are spectacular.

You can also travel by train or ferry partially but driving by car from either Glasgow or Edinburgh will still take you 5+ hours. We suggest spending at least 4 nights on the Isle of Skye but 5 would be ideal.

On the way to the Fairy Pools, we stopped in Carbost soaking in more of the Highlands' beauty. No matter which direction you turn, you are seeing majestic beauty all around you.

The Fairy Pools are one of the most visited places on the island. It is about a 45 minute drive from Portree. If you go early in the morning or late afternoon, you may avoid large crowds. The last few miles are single track roads adorned with many potholes, so you need to pack your patience and extra care. There is a car park located near the hiking trail where you can easily access the trailhead entrance.

Why are the Fairy Pools? The legend goes that a local Clan MacLeod chief of old married a fairy princess, giving rise to many fairy place names on the Isle of Skye.

It is also said that Fairy Pools attracted selkies. These mythological creatures, disguised as large seals during the day, would come to the beach at the foot of Glen Brittle where they would shed their skins and change into human form for the night, to bathe in the pools under the light of a full moon.

The total round trip walking distance is about 3.5 miles to see most of the Fairy Pools. Most of the path is easy to navigate but there is one steep incline and a few rocky places. The weather can change rapidly so dress in layers and have a rainjacket. We had wind, rain, sunshine and a few midges, eek, all in the span of a couple of hours! HIking/waterproof shoes are best.

The trail is very dog friendly but they must be on a leash. One dog was loving the swim in the Fairy Pools. (See video in the comments below.)

On our way to the next stop, we happened upon Cafe Cúil. We love to plan very detailed itineraries, but sometimes it's fun to just be spontaneous. We loved our late lunch here - Beef brisket toastie with cheese and onion jam, chips and mac and cheese bites.

Dunvegan Castle was about a 40 minute drive from the Fairy Pools. This castle belonged to the Macleod Clan and still is a working castle/residence today. The surrounding gardens are so lovely worth the stroll along the water's edge. On the self-guided tour of the castle, you will find lots of Scottish historical artifacts including a waistcoat that belonged to the Bonny Prince Charlie. Be sure to visit the dungeon!😳

We ended our day with a fabulous dinner at The View Restaurant at the Cuillin Hills Hotel in Portree. This 4-star hotel would be our top recommendation for accommodations in Portree. You have an amazing view of the harbor, and the food and service are outstanding. They just completed a major renovation of the lobby and bar area. Book well in advance of your stay!

Visiting this magical island exceeded our expectations. If you visit Scotland, it is a must do, bucket list destination. We say goodbye to Skye in the morning and press forward to Edinburgh!

Go Girl Travel UK Escape - Day 5

We had to say goodbye to our sweet little AirBnB and our new sheep friends at 5:00 am this morning. I don’t think either of us slept much anticipating getting up so early. We were also concerned about the hurricane coming toward our friends and families at home but we didn’t want to miss our flight to Scotland!!!!!

Dee Anna deserves a medal for her drive from Bentham to Manchester airport in the dark. The signs and highways are much different than in the USA. We returned our car and took an hour and 45 minute flight in a small plane to Inverness, Scotland. I had planned to take a nap on the plane but the view was magnificent and I couldn’t stop looking. We flew right up the Coast of England into Scotland. I took pictures from the window but they don’t capture the beauty that I wished I could share. When we got to the airport we rented another car to start our journey from Inverness to Portree.

Our first stop was the site of The Battle of Culloden. The Battle took place on April 16,1746, on Culloden Moor, a short drive from Inverness, Scotland. The site of the battle is open to visitors, and there is also a visitor center with artifacts and interactive displays. Unfortunately we couldn’t stay long enough for a tour because we wanted to get a glimpse of Inverness before heading to Skye. Inverness is a breathtaking city on Scotland’s northeast coast, where the River Ness runs through the middle. It's the largest city and the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands. Inverness has everything from history to wild landscapes on its doorstep. You can explore distilleries and castles, and go looking for the famous Loch Ness Monster.

We traveled alongside the Loch Ness for miles and miles. We couldn’t get over how beautiful and massive it is. There is plenty of room for the Lochness Monster to hide! The tiny town of Loch Ness is quaint and lovely. You will find gift stores, cafes, and a few hotels. You can also cruise the Loch Ness in search of Nessie if you have the time.

We made it to Portree around 3:00 pm, checked into The Portree Hotel but quickly left. We wanted to make it to the Quiraing and be back before dark. The Quiraing hike is a famous landscape in the North of Skye. It is a product of ancient geological processes, formed by a hard layer of igneous rock supported by a softer, crumbling layer of sandstone. The erosion of the sandstone has resulted in a fascinating collection of rock formations and boulders the size of buildings. Some think the rocks look like a man’s face lying down. On the way up the weather changed four or five times. It would rain and then clear up with clouds or sunshine. We looked over the water and God blessed us with a beautiful rainbow.

This is one of my favorite spots on the Isle Of Skye! The incredible, scenic landslip is located North of Skye, and If you are going to do any walks on the island, this is the one to do! Even if you don’t want to walk, just visit via the car park. The views at the car park are just incredible! The drive up can be a little challenging but is not that bad if you take it slowly, learn the rules of the road and avoid potholes.

Weather In Skye is unpredictable and can change in a moment. Dee Anna and I felt so blessed that the weather cooperated for us to see it and even had a little sunshine. Today was a great day but we are exhausted. We had a lovely dinner at our hotel, and then headed to bed. At dinner we decided we were sleeping in until at least 8:30 tomorrow!

**Check below in the comments for video footage.😁

Go Girl UK Escape, Day 4 -

Today, the rain slowed our plans a bit. Maybe we were experiencing "sympathy rain" due to the hardships with the hurricane-related weather our friends and family were enduring in Florida and Georgia. Having a little slower morning with our past three jam-packed days and enjoying our AirBnB was nice.

We loved our AirBnB which was located between The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales making it convenient to explore both areas. From the AirBnB patio, you could see the three North Yorkshire Peaks - Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-Y-Ghent. The pictures will not do it justice because it was so rainy and cloudy, but we highly recommend this cottage especially if you wish to hike the three peaks. I will share the link for the rental on the picture. Also, when we opened the blinds, we had several early morning greeters just waiting on us to get up and say hello. 😁

Despite the rain, we were determined to get as much of our itinerary completed as possible. We left for The Lake District with our first stop in a small town called Kendal. We spent a few minutes walking through the town and toured their oldest church, Holy Trinity Parish. It was bulit back in the 13th century and has the most beautiful stained glass windows. It also boasts being one of the widest sanctuaries in the UK with five full rows of pews going across.

After a stop in Kendal, we headed north to Windermere in The Lake District, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explored the town and had a yummy Italian lunch at Cafe Italia. After lunch we went down to Bowness and walked around the lake, in the rain, lol. It is truly breathtaking even in the rain!

We would highly recommend visiting The Lake District for a vacation in the UK. There are numerous lakes, quaint towns, shopping, dining and budget to luxury hotel accommodations on the lakes. There are so many family friendly outdoor activities as well.

We had many opportunities to see more of the English countryside and stopped multiple places for photos. We hope you enjoy them.

Tomorrow, we head off to Scotland.

Thanks for following! We love reading your comments!

Go Girl UK Escape, Day 3 -

Cheerio London!! We will see you in a bit. Today we left London…. Obviously, the capital city of England, but also it is one of the largest cities in the world. For me it was “Brilliant” to experience its famous rich architecture, and history but it is time to head north to the beautiful town of York.

We took a taxi to King’s Cross train station to start the next leg of our adventures. We had so much fun talking to different taxi drivers and hearing the “inside scoop” and opinions on the Royals and what they had heard. I cannot share the secrets we learned so please don’t ask 😊

The train station……This was a first for me so it was a fascinating experience. It could be a bit overwhelming for first timers when you walk in and see the platform display boards but you just need to ask someone if you aren’t sure. We had a lovely, scenic 2-hour ride up to York. After two days of continuous walking our legs and feet were thanking us for the small break.

On arrival to York we took a short taxi ride to pick up our car rental. This is the part I have been a wee bit nervous about. 😳 I have to give Dee Anna five stars for her driving. If you’ve driven in the UK you know what I’m talking about. Along with narrow roads lined with rock walls, the roundabouts are many. It takes one person to help count the exits as the other one drives for best results, lol. It is crazy to say the least.

We had a short "walkabout" to the little Downtown of York. York is a walled city in Northeast England which was founded by the ancient Romans. We actually saw one of the Roman Columns displayed. Its huge 13th-century Gothic cathedral, York Minster, has medieval stained glass and two functioning bell towers. It was massive in size and the detail is beautiful. The City Walls form a walkway on both sides of the River Ouse. The Monk Bar gate houses an exhibition tracing the life of 15th-century Plantagenet King Richard III. Dee Anna and I were in awe that we were walking around one of the oldest cities in England dating back to 71 AD.

A few more things we learned were that it’s Britain's Home of Chocolate, the most haunted city in Europe and also houses one of the best racecourses in the country. We were “gobsmacked” to see how many people were there on a Wednesday afternoon to enjoy the many shops and food tents along the cobblestone alleys. It has also been a filming location for tv and film like Bridgerton, Chariots of Fire, Elizabeth, Harry Potter and Victoria.

The Shambles Market dating back to William the Conqueror is fascinating and full of shops and eateries. We enjoyed a freshly baked Cornish pasty in a cute little bakery while we listened to a street busker-singer sing The Little Mermaid and Frozen’s “Let it Go." We spent a little more time here than we expected so we needed to “crack on” to our next adventure.

Next up, a lovely hour and a 1/2 drive through the Yorkshire Dales to get to our AirBnB. I believe we went through 450 roundabouts with a steady rain making it a little more challenging (for Dee Anna) but she amazed me. Only a few times did I gasp, which is great for me, and I helped by leaning away from the wall that I thought we were hitting and putting my imaginary brakes on. Dee Anna handled my nervousness like a true friend. At least to my face, lol. 😝

We drove through some of the most beautiful countryside I think I’ve ever seen. Sheep! Lots and lots of sheep, cows and beautiful dry stone walls that snake their way through the fields and rolling hills. We had planned to stop more along the way to our AirBnB as we drove through the Dales but only stopped a few times In Pateley Bridge and Grassington because of the weather. Plus, it was getting late.

One word of advice, don’t get out of sorts if things don’t go as planned. An itinerary is just a guide but you don’t know how it will play out for every trip so you must go with the flow. Kind of like life in general.

Regretfully, it was raining harder and the sun had gone down and our journey felt like we had driven much farther than we actually had. We decided, since it was late and we were so hungry, to stop at a grocery store. It would be nice to have dinner at our AirBnB and just relax. (Another word of advice don’t go to the grocery store hungry.) That’s all I’m going to say about that. 🤣

We finally made it to our AirBnB but not without getting a little lost. It’s quite scary being out in the middle of nowhere with nothing but sheep, farmland and utter darkness. Our host talked to us over the phone for at least 2 miles to help get us all the way to the gate. Lesson learned! Get to your destination before nightfall when in unfamiliar terrain. This turned out to be a “smashing” day!