8th Day - Monday - Loch Lomond
For this I was looking forward the whole time. A boat trip on Loch Lomond. When I was here the last time it was still cold and the weather not wvery good (it was the sme day I visitd Stirling). March is more winter, that I had at that time nearly 14 dayy sunshine and warm temperatures for March nobody could know. Therefor this time the temperature was not higher and the snow I was especting to see the last time was onm the top of the hills. Somehow it is a crazy world.
The weather today again was more changing, sometimes cloudy sometimes light rain and then again sunshine, which was nice warm. But first I had to find my way to the point where the boat trips starts from. But that was easy, at least I had seen the signs to Balloch at the A82 when I drove up Loch Lomond to the Westcoast. I only had to turn left twice and I was there, at a great parking area.
I wanted to do the great trip over the Loch but that was not going today. The weather was too bad and not enough tourist who wanted to go. So I had to take the "wee trip". Before that would start I had some time spear. After a short visit at the visitor Centre I knew where to go. Just a wee walk along the River Leven (the outlet of Loch Lomond) and then I reached the Loch. Here a kind of shopping Centre was placed with shops and cafes. Also here was an aquarium and in front of it is a sculpture of an otter (someone royal opened the aquarium but I cannot remember who). And there is an old carousel with wonder4ful old figures. Unfortunate4ly it was not working. But it was Monday and the weekend there are surely more people and the carousel is working.
Slowly it was time to go back to the landing pier. On the way to the ship somebody asked me if I am a native. I was not but I still could help him. I knew the way to the A82 also. Somehow the human was talkative, he told me that he was on the way to the Westcoast where friend of him will get married - even in Scotland are strange people :-).
On the boat I took a seat outside on the top deck and prompt had a chat with an English man. It followed the unavoidable question where I am from. Germany? No, he does not believe me. Ahh, two years New Zealand, yes okay..............
Was it raining when we entered the ship it stayed dry the entire trip so we really could enjoy the trip.
By the way, Loch Lomond is the biggest lake in Scotland, 39 km long an up to 8 km wide with many islands, some of them are private owned. Loch Lomond is the biggest reservoir of drinking water in the UK also. This giant lake has only one inflow and on outlet (River Leven) which runs into the Clyde. After our return to Balloch it started to rain again, otherwise I properly would have gone to Balloch Castle. But I have been wet often enough during this holiday, I did not needed another time. So I returned to my car. But I did not drove back the route over Glasgow and the M8. I definitely know this way well enough by now. I took the country road via Stirling and just before Stirling I had a fantastic view to the Castle.
Back in Edinburgh I walked towards the Castle. Somehow I had appetite for a pizza and I also needed some souvenirs for the ones who stayed at home. At other places there was nothing or only things very tacky or too expensive. But it was not better in Edinburgh. So I only bought a Highland cattle that gives a sound for my granddaughter Anne. Anyone else has to be happy with the photos I took. And the pizza was more a flop - brand freezer. But Scotland is a part of the UK so do not expect too much when it comes to food.
My things were packed fast so that tomorrow I will only have to pack a few thing from the bath.
Here are the pictures from Loch Lomond: