FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: Seafood

Our journey northward continued towards the Highlands. We went through the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park again but this time on the west side. At Luss, we stopped briefly to take a peek at a Viking grave dated to around 1260 when Vikings raided and pillaged Loch Lomond.

Snaps taken through the car window

A very scenic drive!

Rare Viking hog back stone

I should take a moment here to introduce Secret Scotland. They are a company that can customise itineraries as well as selling readymade ones. We purchased one of the readymade ones as one of our reference materials. We have a love-hate relationship with it...so far, their recommendations have been spot on. However, as a somewhat obsessive compulsive person, the way the information is organised and written baffles me. Ok...it drives me nuts! It makes no logical sense!!! The verdict...worth getting, but make sure you take the time to read through the guide/itinerary properly as information on the same place/route sections can be found on different pages. For us, having to make frequent stops made the Secret Scotland file invaluable as we could ensure that we stop at interesting places rather than a generic coffee shop or village at random. Falls of Falloch was a hit with the children. Quaint little Countrymumkins was a hit with the olds for some tea. Milkshakes were only 1 pound each. Score! Lunch at the Loch Level Seafood Cafe was amazing! A place we wouldn't have stopped at as it was a little out of the way. The clams and mussels were fresh and well prepared. We never would have thought that Scottish oysters would be so good!

The children had fun on the rocks in the areas leading to and around the Falls

Falls of Falloch

Countrymumkins, a former chapel turned cafe

Delicious hot tea!

Worth a stop if you love seafood

Clams, with mussels in the background

Spaghetti with clams

Dessert was pretty good too!

It would be prudent to write briefly about our stop at Glenfinnan. The Jacobite steam train passes here on the viaduct, made famous by the film Harry Potter. We incorrectly assumed that it would simply be a matter of stopping at the right time, taking our photo and moving on. We were warned to be there at least 30 minutes before the train passes. In the peak summer season, I would recommend at least 45 minutes beforehand. We were there about 40 minutes prior and go the last parking spot before they closed it because it was full. The carpark further up ahead was also full and closed off. After that, there was chaos on the roads as people queued on the road, tried to turn around, parked illegally…In addition, for the best view point, you have to walk a further 20-30 minutes up the hill so do give yourselves enough time for that. Once on top of the hill, you have to jostle for photo positions! Some had been camped there for a while ready with their tripods, the late comers had to settle on grass off the path.

After our “brief” Glenfinnan photo stop, we meandered through the scenic West Coast towards Mallaig, following the steam train for a bit of fun. Our overnight at Mallaig was necessary to avoid an early morning drive. We had a ferry to catch that would take us to the Isle of Skye. Jaffy's Fish & Chips was conveniently next to our hotel. It was packed! There was only haddock left and it was good!