Our program coordinator, Kirstin Heggie, was our 'chaperone' for the weekend trip to Skye, driving us around, showing us the sights and taking us out to some authentic Scottish meals. We had a really great time with her and I'd like to think the feeling was mutual! The trip started out with a 5 hour shot straight up the western coast of Scotland to the Isle of Skye. Aside from a day of driving around the Ring of Kerry in Ireland last summer, I honestly have never seen such stunning landscape before. For about the first hour or two we wind up the two lane highway that serves as the main route to the Scottish Highlands, passing mumerous lochs and mountains dotted with sheep. Every now and then, as it tends to do in Scotland, it would downpour, shortly followed by a burst of sun and then more rain. About 3 hours into the drive we made a stop in an area called Glencoe so we could get a good veiw of the "Three Sisters", three mountains lined up next to eachother that overlook the valley below. From here we continued on our way up to the town of Portree in Skye. By the time we got there it was 10 at night, but it was still light out! I guess I hadn't thought about how far north we were (same latitude as New Foundland or St. Petersburg, Russia).
On Saturday we got up early to beautiful, sunny weather and were off for our full-day tour of the Isle. We started up the coast to the "Old Man of Storr" which is a giant rock pillar that sticks up out of the otherwise hilly terrain. From here we continued up the coast making stops along the cliffs, and finally to Kilt Rock (a giant cliff that looks just like the pleats in a kilt). From here we started to wind around the northen tip of the isle, making stops at the Museum of Island Life and the Talisker Whiskey Distillery. By the time we were back to our hostel at the end of the day we were all pretty tired, but Kirstin had made a reservation at a restaurant in town which we gladly accepted (I ordered a steak... when else can I afford a meal like that!).
Sunday we made our way off Skye, slowly working back to Glasgow. We first stopped at Eilean Donan Castle which is supposedly the most photographed castle in Scotland... I could defnitely tell why. Eilean Donan is located on its own outcrop of rocks in the center of Loch Duich, with views up and down the massive body of water. The castle itself is connected to the land by a long, narrow stone bridge and is honestly something you would expect to see in a movie. From Eilean Donan we continued south making sure to stop for a boat tour of Loch Ness. Unfortunately we did not spot Nessy, but I'm still convinced she's out there somewhere. From Loch Ness it was a straight shoot home (which unfortunately none of us remember because we were all asleep). I think without that trip I wouldn't have gotten a real sense of Scotland while over here, and it's made me realize just how much more there is to see in this small country. I'm definitely going to have to make a return trip in the near future....
Aside from travels, life in Glasgow has been pretty good these past couple weeks. I've had a bunch of visitors which has been a good way to see more of the city that I haven't seen yet. I think in the past 3 weeks I've visited the necropolis and cathedral four seperate times, and I can't even count how many times I've given a tour of the campus. The one downside, and yes I know it IS Scotland that I'm in, is that it before yesterday it had rained for 10 days straight. Luckily we're having a nice string of sunny days, and for the past two I've been out in Kelvingrove Park, taking in the sun and studying for my final exams. In fact, I just finished up my last one this morning which I feel very confident about, and have one left in my bagpiping class next Thursday. I would like to say I'll be studying all week for it, but Friday I leave for a weekend in Paris... I have a feeling that might get in the way.
That's all for now... hard to believe it but my study abroad adventure ends 11 days from now! Can't wait to see you all when I'm back in the states!
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