My name is Marion Vermazen. I am a traveler, hiker, reader, Sun alumnus, computer geek, YouTuber, Spanish and French language student, knitter, weaver and genealogist.
To make it easier for you to follow our 2026 Spring European trip from the beginning I’ve linked the blog posts in order.
You can go to the first blog post of our trip by clicking on this link.
At the end of each blog post after that, there is a link to the next day’s blog post.
This morning after going back to the Coffee Bothy for breakfast we left the Isle of Skye and headed south.
The Eilean Dolan Castle location was first occupied in the 6th century. The current castle was rebuilt and opened in 1932. We didn’t go inside but we enjoyed walking along the shore in front.
We are staying at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel. When we got to our room it was very cold. We asked a housekeeping lady how to turn on the heat. She said to call the front desk. It turns out that the front desk controls the heat in all the rooms. They turned ours up to 19c. When we got back from playing cards the heat was still off. We called again and they turned it up to 22c. When that didn’t work they sent someone up to the room who determined that the heat didn’t work! Eventually a space heater was delivered. Now we are quite comfortable.
On Sunday we spent the day exploring a bit of the Isle of Skye. For breakfast we went back to The Coffee Bothy. It’s a wonderful small coffee shop with great bakery goods. The owners are so friendly as is the resident dog. Even though we are spending less than 48 hours on Skye we are becoming regulars.
After breakfast we drove a loop on the Sleat peninsula in Southern Skye.
To read my next blog post click here.
Today we drove across the Scottish highlands from the east coast to the west coast. Once we left the Inverness area we started to see people with cameras stopped by the side of the road obviously waiting for something. After a bit of Googling we figured out that it was the Highland Historic Commercial Vehicle Run 2026.
From the Scottish mainland we took the Skye Bridge to the Isle of Skye where we are tonight. When we first arrived at Juniper Cottages, where we are staying, it was too early to check in. We had about three hours before check in time so we stopped at a nearby coffee shop.
Then we drove over a one lane road through the center of the island. When we reached the water on the other side we got out and explored a bit.
For dinner we ate at a seafood restaurant, Claymore. It’s right across the main road from where we are staying.
To read about our second day on Skye click here.
Friday morning we drove a few miles outside of Inverness to the Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Center.
What happened at Culloden is well described on the map they gave us at the visitor center:
“Jacobite supporters, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British thrones, gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. It was the last pitched battle on British soil and, in less than an hour, around 1,600 men were slain – 1,500 of them Jacobites.”
From Culloden we went to a grocery store and bought food for lunch. Then we drove up the Ness River to Loch Ness and had a picnic.
When we got back to our hotel we played cards, then walked to Urquharts Restaurant for dinner.
To read tomorrow’s blog post click here.
Thursday morning when we woke up at Knowes Hotel we could see one of the fishing boats heading out from Macduff harbor. At breakfast we had a great conversation with a guy who grew up in Macduff. He suggested that before we leave we shouldn’t miss seeing a couple of small fishing villages further east along the coast.
There is a footpath along the cliff face east from Gardenstown to Crovie an even smaller village. Roger walked to Crovie from Gardenstown and the rest of us drove.
From Crovie we drove to Inverness. The restaurant where we ate dinner is right next to the castle which overlooks the River Ness.
To read about our second day in Inverness click here.
Marion's Blog 