Our Journey through Scotland Ft. M2 Machines VW Double Cab Camper – PART 2
Stage 8: Dunnotar Castle
Dunnottar Castle is a ruined castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Situated about 3 km south of the town of Stonehaven, the ruins stand on a rocky headland on the north-east coast of Scotland. and was therefore a bit difficult to reach by motorhome. You had to have a bit of puff to get straight to the ruin! If you wanted to get to Dunnottar Castle, you had to climb about 200 steps - on the way there and back. What is a challenge for today's visitors was the best protection against attackers in those days. The castle complex is located on a plateau whose flanks drop steeply 50 metres to the sea. Only a narrow spit of land connects the rock with the mainland, and this first descends and then rises again to the castle gate. A wonderful photo motif, but also a wall with a dark past, full of suffering and disaster!
Stage 9: New Slains Castle
The way to the next ruin was also very adventurous! Our 52 hp vehicle struggled over hill and dale and finally reached Slains Castle. The castle is famous for many reasons, partly because it was a place where celebrities were entertained on numerous occasions in the 19th Century. Most notable being, Bram Stoker and it is believed the castle is the inspiration for the setting of the tale in Count Dracula (1897). Once a huge estate full of beauty and elegance, the building has been dilapidated for many decades and is now only a shadow of its former self! The fascination lies in the sheer size of the remains, but also in the location, as steep cliff walls surround the building. Absolutely nothing is secured, so you should be very careful where you step or drive when taking photos!
Stage 10: Lairg
Now it was time to say goodbye to the North Sea and move further inland from the east coast of Scotland. In doing so, we came across wonderful natural meadows and vast lands in the interior of Scotland. Lairg in general is an excellent gateway to the wild region of Sutherland, often referred to as the last great wilderness of Europe. The roads leading from Lairg into the north of Scotland took our van through glens, past many lonely cottages as well as rugged and romantic landscapes, surrounded by a variety of native wildlife. Fortunately, the weather had finally turned to the sunny side, a bit untypical for Scottish conditions, but all the nicer for us!
Stage 11: Castle Fraser:
But before that, we visited Castle Fraser, about 30 km from Aberdeen, one of Scotland's most famous castles. The huge five-storey building from the 16th century is not only the largest of its kind; it also enjoys a magnificent location, surrounded by 140 hectares of land. Ideal for parking our motorhome right in the driveway and blocking the path of the red squirrels present there. Of course, only until the afternoon tea has been drunk and the scones with jam have been digested.
Stage 12: Ardmair
Such a sight will soon await us, the first time we encounter the Atlantic Ocean in the best sunshine. We took the northern route towards Ullapool, via the Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve. In Ardmair we were able to breathe in the Atlantic salt water air for the first time and enjoyed some spectacular views!
Stage 13: Loch Shin
Before that, however, the path led us past Loch Shin because Lairg had much more to offer than beautiful plants. Brooks and lochs adorned the landscape and offered a very interesting scenery. At this point at the latest, it became clear that Scotland simply had to have more sheep than inhabitants. All the claims to the contrary simply could not be true with this sight!
Stage 14: Ullapool
It has been 4 years since our last visit to Ullapool in 2019. A lot has changed since then. Particularly pleasing: all for the better! Ullapool did not come into being by natural settlement, but was founded in 1788 as a fishing harbour and has the typical charm of a fishing port due to the row of white houses along the coast of Loch Broom. This has only recently been completely modernised and blends in beautifully with the scene! The parking attendant was also gracious and did not stick a note on our windscreen, possibly due to the cute appearance of our camper.
Stage 15: Loch Torridon
The next stop was the somewhat more southerly area of Wester Ross. No, this does not refer to the continent in the outer west of the familiar world from Game of Thrones. It is spelled a little differently, but there are still similarities. Torridon lies in a dramatic and desolate setting below the mountains on the shores of Upper Loch Torridon in Wester Ross. The town lies on a scenic byway that winds along the north shore of Upper Loch Torridon, past lochs, cliffs, glens and green wooded slopes. Loch Torridon was our last chance to get our bus going, as our VW camper has to deliver for the infamous climb of the Applecross!
Stage 16: Applecross
A secluded peninsula in the west of Scotland, with overwhelming nature and wild mountain scenery. In the middle of it all: the small village of Applecross. The drive there is one of the most impressive experiences of a trip to Scotland. We almost turned back after the first few kilometres, as the road from the north already seemed very difficult. The approach to the village of Applecross is not exactly easy from either side. You need absolute concentration. From the north, the road goes over one of the steepest and most difficult passes, the Bealach na Bà. A bus, camper van or caravan has no business on this road, but our vehicle fought its way over the pass! The road north of Applecross is winding, narrow and confusing. The incredibly beautiful and varied landscape and the experience definitely make up for the strain! Arriving at the south end of Applecross drenched in sweat was definitely a very special experience!
Now be curious about part 3 of our Scotland trip, where we visited many more castles and impressive landscapes! Unfortunately, we must not forget to mention the fender bender for eternity! Thanks for reading and your fantastic support on all our various platforms! Stay tuned for part III which will be released on our website here pretty soon!
