My little room at the Royal Highland Hotel provided the environment for a much needed lengthy sleep. I had dined in the hotel’s trendy-ish restaurant where the chicken creation I ordered was very good indeed. It was really too nippy to venture outside and explore. But, there was time the following morning. I ventured into a Victorian covered market opposite the station. Much was on offer in numerous stores lined each side of a walkway. I recognised one place I had visited in 2013 from where I purchased a tartan tie. Sadly, the owner is retiring after decades of dedication to the business. I came away with further neck and headwear, very Scottish, but, wherever I have been north of the border, I have seen NO locals wearing anything like what I have treated myself to, and expect that I would stand out like a sore thumb wearing this obviously touristic attire, anywhere in Scotland.
The train, still looking as if it had just “left the works” was due out of Inverness at 12.14 At 12.12, I was still taking photographs and just made it on board at the last minute. Another clear day ensured the increasingly dramatic landscape interspersed with large bodies of water, looked their best.
I have happy memories of the Highland main line as far back as 1965, the centenary of the Highland Railway when a vintage steam train ran between Perth and Inverness.
My next trip would be decades later in 2013, steam hauled throughout to Inverness from and back to London Kings Cross.
But this time around, in 2019, I was awestruck by the vastness and remoteness and outstanding beauty of where I was travelling through.
And as darkness fell prematurely and we drew in Edinburgh Waverley, after another wonderful journey, I was, for a second time sorry today’s travels would soon be over.
An impending wardrobe malfunction, which began to manifest itself during the afternoon, deemed it prudent to acquire a fresh pair of trousers. I found a suitable pair in Edinburgh before any possible sartorial catastrophe! I had deposited my baggage back at the Ballantrae Hotel where I had been upgraded to a most spectacular and massive room.
In Edinburgh, I chose to explore the Christmas Markets. I know not the geography of Edinburgh, but the illuminated stalls lined walkways as far as the eye could see. A massive ferris wheel lit up the night with masses of choreographed colour. Despite the incessant ghastly Christmas muzak from which there was no escape, I was amazed at this mega Christmas event. Laser lights beamed and danced from on high across a dark sky as the rain now made an unwelcome and prolonged appearance. It didn’t matter, I had chosen my Alaska baseball cap over the red tartan one I had bought in Inverness!
Time for food. The eateries were crammed, but eventually, I ended up in “Wagamama”, where I tried out some Asian cuisine. I must mention Alex from Poland who took great care of me and told me much about her young life, travels and work. She has my blog details, but I fear she may find my railway writings tedious at best! However, Alex, if you do read this, thank you for excellent customer care, as well as everyone else who were most helpful. I wrote this blog in Wagamama’s; now it’s time to head back to the hotel. Yes, I shall be sorry to leave Scotland’s capital tomorrow.
The pictures below from top to bottom:-
Inverness
Aviemore
Five vews from the train
Perth
Five views of the Edinburgh Christmas Market.
Very best wishes and thanks for reading,
David.
David's Cruise 