Scotland – Day 3 – The Kelpies, Falkirk Wheel, Stirling Castle, Doune Castle and the Highlands
Our third day in Scotland started off with breakfast and then a ride to the car rental place – Celtic Legend! It was suggested to us that we rent a nine seater van. It was a Mercedes Sprinter and we were worried it’d be too large, but luckily, it allowed for ample space as we drove throughout Scotland and the countryside.
This was also mine and Jon’s first time renting a car in another country and driving on opposite side within the car and the opposite direction while on the road. We were told by a cab driver to just take it slow and that we’d get used to driving and all the round-a-bouts. Jon and I would count aloud as we drove through the round-a-bouts so that we wouldn’t miss our turn. I’m sure we sounded so silly, but it helped! Also, we only got beeped at three times in all the days that we had this vehicle, so that’s saying something! Hahaha! One last thing, I’m usually pretty chill and can read for hours while traveling on the road. I never once picked up a book while we drove all 647.6 miles. I was either watching the road, looking out the window or would somehow fall asleep for a minute or two. Hahaha! Huge props to Jon for being brave enough to drive and for figuring it all out!
A picture of my side of the road.
It felt so weird to be sitting in this seat and not be driving!
This day was full of LOTS of adventure!!!! We really tried to stay on schedule so that we could see as much as possible while en route to the Isle of Skye.
Our first stop – The Kelpies!
Also, these kids are the best travel buddies – they’re always thinking up something funny! Love them! I have no idea what’s happening here… Hahahaha!
Very cool to see these up close!
It was very bright outside…
Next up, and not too far from The Kelpies, was The Falkirk Wheel. This is the only rotating boat lift in the world! It was so cool to watch it move. It take approximately five minutes to rotate.
A boat near The Falkirk Wheel…
Next, we drove to Stirling Castle! There was so much history here, some of which included Mary Queen of Scots, Robert the Bruce, William Wallace and Bonnie Prince Charlie. I love learning all about Mary Queen of Scots and not only her history at Stirling Castle but also throughout Scotland and England.
We met a friendly Scottish man near this statue of Robert the Bruce. He talked about how good our kids were and the energy associated with them – he called them Dream Walkers – and how he could feel their goodness…especially Jane. I couldn’t agree more… it felt like a movie. He told us about gold that had once been found down at a river and how he moved up to Stirling from the city years ago and never went back…and then he said his goodbyes and left. Definitely magical.
We checked out the castle and took it all in – so pretty! Lots of pictures in 3…2…1…
There were sheep everywhere down below…
Queen Anne’s Garden…
Scotland’s National Animal – the Unicorn!
Another unicorn…
Unicorn…
We loved exploring Stirling Castle and we were even able to sit and eat lunch up in the castle area, too! We were quickly learning that lattes were everywhere, along with dogs, while traveling in Scotland. We made sure to get one while here, too! It was delicious and so fun and we enjoyed it near a really cool Scottish man wearing the full Scottish attire! It was sooo cool!
We were on the road again, the pictures below were from sometime during this day and we were off to Doune Castle!
Doune Castle was used in Game of Thrones, Monty Python and Outlander as Castle Leoch! Jon and I were thrilled to visit here since we’re huge Outlander fans!
I was so excited that I jumped up into Jon’s arms!
This area inside the castle was used in filming Game of Thrones and Outlander! So cool and exciting!
Mary Queen of Scots stayed in this room…
Doune Castle was our favorite castle we visited. We loved the rustic parts of it and we loved that it was just sitting in the woods and not high up on a perch. There were little “hallways” and fun little rooms hidden here and there. We truly enjoyed this visit!
There was an audio guide by Sam Heughan…
The kids doing what they do best… which is whatever this is…
Henry brought along this wig and he would appear as a character called, Edna. LOL! I’m telling you, these kids are a hoot! Edna would just suddenly appear in the most unlikely of places. Bahahaha!
Me running to Jamie Fraser!!!!!!! If you know, you know… 😉
The prettiest bathrooms I ever did see… This was directly across from the castle. Forget the castle, I’ll just live in the bathrooms!
As we finished up checking out Doune Castle, they were closing up. We didn’t even think they’d close early, but we were so happy we stayed on a tight schedule throughout the day because we would’ve been so sad to have missed this place. We were the last ones to leave and then this was the road to exit the property… Tight and wooded and as pretty as it gets…
Somewhere along the way…that’s a reoccurring theme for me… we grabbed coffees and headed up into the Highlands!!!! We were so excited for this part! When I think of Scotland, I think of the Highlands.
The Highlands were everything and more and completely moody and utterly magical!
Honestly, had it been sunny, I probably would’ve been a bit sad. The rain, the clouds, the mountains and the colors…it was perfection for my eyes.
“The Wee White House” – Legangargh Hut on A82
I had seen this famous place (famous for being photogenic and beautiful – it also serves as a place to hikers to stay) pop up in our planning and I didn’t think we’d see it, but there it was!!!
The Three Sisters Mountain in Glencoe! Jon and I left the kids in the car and snapped some pictures! It was crazy windy and cold, but GORGEOUS!!!!
We settled in for our one night stay in Glencoe at The Isles of Glencoe Hotel. This was one of the only nights where we all shared a room. There were bunk beads, a rollaway bed and a king sized bed and the view right outside of our door was dreamy…
Our hotel had a place for dinner and a pool, so we ate dinner and let the kids swim for about 15 minutes. This was also the last night Jane would be 5…
I had a good cry and tucked her in and in the morning she’d be 6!!!
Our Birthday Girl in Glencoe!!!
Phew! That was an action-packed day! Jon learned to drive on the opposite side of everything, we visited castles, saw cool statues, we drank all the lattes and then drove up into the STUNNING Scottish Highlands!!!
Our next day consisted of celebrating Jane turning six with lots of fun along the way…
I can’t wait to show you what we did next!
Marie 🙂
