Loch Lomond Cruise & JAZZ!

Friday, September 28, 2018

Luss, Scotland, United Kingdom

The week we stayed in Largs simply flew past. It’s very much a seaside holiday destination, along the coast here.

On the train to Glasgow on Wednesday, we passed a caravan park near Stevenston, it was huge, and I mean huge, the train was going fast and we seemed to be passing it for a good minute. There had to be up to 1,000 of these wheeled, prefab buildings in rows and rows, couldn’t think of anything worse for a holiday. Asked a lady sitting opposite us if they would be permanent accommodation, she didn’t think so, and said she wouldn’t want to stay in one in the winter anyway.

So today, Friday, we headed back up to the highlands (north of Glasgow) for a Jazz weekend in Callander.

Passing Beith, we saw the other Chivas Bros whisky storage sheds (do you know that Irish whiskey is spelt with a e and Scottish without - whisky), these sheds are nestled between the town and Kilburnie Loch, and that site would be half as big again as the site we saw on Tuesday! If anyone is interested, go into maps and satellite the area, amazing.

Dahlias?

Stopped at Balloch to take in Loch Lomond and decided we’d do the 2hr cruise commentated by Neil Oliver of Coast fame. What a waste of time and money that was - we did get a snooze tho. We might as well have been on a ferry, the commentary was very intermittent, no Scottish music softly in the background between comments, totally boring. I asked one of the crew where the commentary was, he got very upperty says, I’ll talk to the captain, next thing the commentary is running, I think they get a bit over hearing it all the time so switch it off.

We drove up the left side of Loch Lomond, very very pretty, but as Kevin said, challenging, lot of traffic & big buses, narrow windy flat road, few areas to pass, so some impatience by others.

Stopped at LUSS, what a gorgeous place this is. So reminded us of Cong in Ireland, different architect and layout but just as pretty. Very busy with a lot of tourists. Many of Luss' cottages have been described as picturesque. The village has a kiltmaker and a bagpipe works. In recent years, Luss became famous as a result of being the main outdoor location for the Scottish Television drama series Take the High Road.

Arrived in at our BnB in Callander around 5.30pm, only parking was the street. We were extremely lucky to spot a wee gap by a motorbike 50yds down the street - we will leave it there until we depart!!!

Had a drink while we unpacked (2nights), showed Sheridan our room when we vibered, shared bathroom and twin beds! NOT what we’re used to but that’s how difficult it is to get accommodation here at annual Jazz weekend.

Walked the Main Street, got our wristbands (I’ve had to cut mine off, it was far too tight & pinching), and programs. Enjoyed a drink in a pub across from us, but gave up on the steel acoustic sounds.

Bed by 11pm.