We started the day too late! Had breakfast and said a heartfelt goodbye to Garry, our host at the Fox House Third Part Farm. We had a date with Peter Nevens, our second friend in Scotland, whom we met on our first trip and who is now seriously ailing.
Our trip from Beith to Wishaw took us through Glasgow, a place we’d like to return to when we’re a bit younger or perhaps better rested. The Glasgow accent is as thick as can be. Can you hear this: I onc lived in Blind Sheep. (I once lived in Glenshee.)
Wo ha the amanbrown nsup? (Who has the ham on brown bread with soup?)
The accents, like the politics, are extreme. Glaswegians are very pro-Scottish independence (from England), the Catholic Church is strong, and everyone has a story to tell, including Peter.
We were a bit late arriving at Peter’s house, and spent time remembering stories, telling him about the Scottish Open and the bomb. He told us about his special visit to the men’s Scottish Open and all the friends who had come out to greet him. Everyone loves Peter. We hope to see him again— and his brother, Andy, too!
From there, we headed north, through Stirling, toward Perth, and across the Highland Boundary Fault, marking the start of the Highlands. Suddenly, the land erupted into a row of hills, all purple and chartreuse with the heather and grasses. Stunning! The road curved gently as we went north up the Great Glen. It’s a geological marvel that the country hasn’t broken in half with all the lochs that link along this fault and cut the country diagonally. On our way, we saw a familiar turn off to Pitlochry— from our first trip here. We pulled off the road to look for the golf course and maybe lunch. Up into the hills to the golf course, we found a team match going on despite it being Tuesday. At 2 pm, match after match was finishing just out our window. We could tell by their faces whether they were winning or losing the hole. Never mind our soup and sandwich, this was live golf!
I bought a few markers. John bought a course guide, but we didn’t have time to play. Instead, we were back on the road for one more hour of gorgeous driving. The Brooklyn House, our B & B in Granton on Spey was just a mile from the golf course. We’d played there last year, so we dropped our bags and headed out. It was only 5 pm. We could easily play 18, but decided to bop around and play the most connected nine holes we could, so we could have time to do the town. Ha ha. The course was sparkling and magical. So nice to play it again!! I took at least 20 pictures. Every time the sun came out, I grabbed my camera. And it didn’t rain at all!
Our evening was spent at Craig’s Bar, known for “pie and ale” (dinner and a pint) and the largest selection of whisky in the Highlands. The barman has an 18-year-old Cardu. Very nice indeed. From there, home to our guest home and the lovely living room, which we have all to ourselves. Good night.