We (Norm and me, my sister, Stacey, and her girlfriend, Tara) just returned from a 10-day adventure in Ireland and Scotland. Stacey and Tara met us in Ireland. We landed in Shannon, and visited County Cork (Blarney Castle, of course) before heading west again, travelling up the coast, and ending in the northeast corner, in Belfast. Our agenda was packed as was our vehicle. The journey was long and our nerves grew short. Despite everything, we enjoyed Ireland's fantastic heritage and landscape. The moist escape (from the desert) was super as I was able to leave the body lube at home.
Driving on the other side of the road/car was interesting - what's up with those Brits ... We managed just fine ~ only one minor incident that involved me behind the wheel. Hopefully Alamo won't look too closely at the left-side hub cabs.
The weather was spectacular. I returned to the UAE with a tan. We experienced light rain on days 1-2 in Ireland, but nary a drop until the morning of our departure. We experienced Scotland's entire week-long summer, which is a miracle I understand.
We took a ferry from Belfast to Stranraer, Scotland. There were several hiccups along the way (missing our first ferry, which resulted in our not being able to pick up our rental car in Scotland), but everything worked out. We hired a car to take us from Stranraer to Rothesay. Rothesay (the Isle of Bute) is the birthplace of Stacey's great grandmother and it was truly paradise. A haven stretching from the sea up a hillside. Architectural styles include victorian era homes and some bauhaus inspired structures. Our stay here was the highlight of the trip. We rented bikes and circuited the 25 miles around most of the island.
Ireland: stops/sites along the way included Cork (Blarney Castle), Killarney (the Ring of Kerry, Balleybarbury Castle, Staigue Fort), Dingle, Adare, Galway, Ballymote, Sligo, Donegal (Donegal Castle), Giant's Causeway, and Belfast (Belfast Castle) .
Scotland: stops/sites along the way included Dean Castle, Rothesay (Rothesay Castle [captured by vikings in 1230], St. Blane's Chapel), Edinburgh (the Museum of Edinburgh, National War Museum of Scotland, and Edinburgh Castle). The palace was closed as Prince Charles has visited the morning of our tour. During our tour around Rothesay we visited Scalpsie Bay (with the Isle of Arran in the backdrop), which is home to a pod of sea lions, stone circle of Ettrick Bay, and the stone circle near Kilchattan.
