Haggis Pie

Being sick when you are travelling is not that much fun… I got a dose of the flu in Ireland and am still trying to shake it, actually I’m trying to shake the gunk out of my lungs. I was hoping to get plenty of walking and hill climbing done while I was here, but just walking is a bit of a mission at the moment, so I think my plans to climb Ben Nevis have gone out the window. Bugger. Never mind, its not exactly warm here… about 12 degrees with sideways rain and a low cloud base doesn’t exactly inspire the climber in me!

However, being so far north, the days are loooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnggggg! the night I arrived there was still plenty of twilight at midnight!

I have one more night in Fort William and tomorrow I’m heading to Loch Ness for two days, hopefully by then I’ll have gotten over this chest infection and be able to get into the hills.

The rail journey from Glasgow to Fort William was absolutely amazing… After leaving the city and skirting along Loch Lomond, the train heads north into the highlands, firstly through lush woodland and later through the sub-alpine grassland. For the first time in 5 months I was able to see wilderness all around, no houses, fences, people, cars or McDonalds/Starbucks/Marks and Spencer stores or double decker buses in sight. The journey only covers 200 kilometers but takes 4 hours due to the terrain and gradient. Anyone planning a trip to Scotland should make sure they take this train! I took brazilians of photos but cant publish any yet because the hostel here won’t let people use the USB ports for some silly reason.

So, it’s down to town for a haggis pie (yes, this is not a joke!) Scotland is gaining a reputation for ‘Highland Fusion’ cuisine, including haggis pies, scotch egg pies and of course, angus beef with whisky and ale gravy pies. That deserves at least one michelin star.

Take care everyone, hope the snow in NZ hasn’t lost its novelty!

Jonny

~ by jonnyhanlon on August 19, 2008.