First trip to the Highlands!

Just got back from the Highlands! Specifically, Oban and the Isle of Mull. We left early yesterday morning, drove through Inveraray, which was lovely, and into Oban. The Highlands are a huge destination in the summer, but as it turns out, not so much in the middle of January. The town was pretty much empty and a lot of things were closed, but it was still on the water and lovely to walk around. We ate a cute cafe and found a tower to walk up to (it looked like a tiny colosseum, weirdly enough). Then we ate dinner and had kind of an awesome slumber party night. The four girls from Wolfson that I went with and I were the only ones in our very very cute hostel room (with rainbow polka dotted bedding AND a TV). So we got into our pjs and talked and it was really nice. A quiet night in a quiet town.

This morning we got up early and caught the ferry out to the Isle of Mull, which is the 3rd largest island in scotland (factoid). One very disappointing thing was that the chocolate factory that is well known on the island was closed for the winter. I almost cried when I heard that. BUT we did do a somewhat-more-intense-than-we-thought-it-would-be hike that took us up a mountain and across a river and to neptune and then back. Pretty, though. And it wasn't cold at all by the end of it. Then we ate a late lunch at the one pub that was open, and then tried to walk to the island castle, but didn't quite make it. Had to turn around and come back to catch the ferry. We did, however, see lots of sheep and highland cattle and one pheasant that scared the daylights out of us by divebombing out of a bush.

Took the bus back, and here I am! Picture time.

At Inveraray we went for a walk and found a collie wandering in the fog. He didn't stop to chat, though. Seemed to be on a mission.

The castle at Inveraray.

Oban.

The fog lifting. That was really cool to watch.

The faux-colosseum.

Hehe. Reflective shot.

Becky and Molly and Karin and Emma in our very cute hostel room. Free wi-fi, too!

Oban in the morning.

On the ferry.

Our hike.

Reaching the summit. Not easy, especially when you've got five layers holding you back. Leggings under jeans was a tiny bit over the top for forty-five degree hiking weather.

This is after lunch, on our second walk of the day. I'm going to be sore tomorrow.

Sitting was a much needed thing.

Oban at night, right before we left.

Pooh quote: "If you're always saying, 'We'll see,' nothing ever happens."

Much love,
Erin