Inverness and the Highlands
My next stop was Inverness, Scotland’s gateway to the Highlands. Inverness is Scotland’s 7th largest city, with a population of 61,235. Carlos and I ventured here in search of a trip to the illustrious Isle of Skye, one of Scotland’s best known tourist destinations.
The Highlands is known for its scenery, and our drive north made it clear why. Sloping volcanic hills were all around us, covered in forest and grass. We ventured into town and to our first hostel. The night consisted of food, beer, and traditional music with new friends. This hostel was cheap, but junky. We were happy to switch to a nicer, homier hostel up the street for Sunday and Monday nights. A particular highlight at the new hostel was Matias singing in Portuguese.
The next day, Carlos and I took a guided tour through the Highlands and the Isle of Skye. This trip consisted of a number of stops for photos, with the first being a cute little bridge and train station. I took the opportunity to walk about on the tracks, somewhat of a childhood fantasy moment. The next stop was an outlook over a glorious mountain range.
After these stops, we finally made it to the Isle of Skye. We stopped in a cute little town on the Island for lunch and a bit of walking around the harbor. Carlos and I took in another serving in a long line of fish and chips meals, which I enjoyed alongside one of the two most distinctive Scottish foods/drinks: Irn-Bru. This soft drink seems to be available only in Scotland, and tastes vaguely of cough syrup. The recipe was recently changed, much to the anger of the Scottish populace.
After lunch, we stopped at a few more viewing spots, including a castle that held great strategical significance in the highlands. This castle held a variety of heirlooms belonging to the various nobles that had lived inside, and featured a particularly creepy reenactment of life inside the castle’s kitchens. Carlos and I finished the evening with Indian food before turning in early.
Next stop, Edinburgh.
