September 3 - Day 16

Woke very early in order to get the bags out for the porters.  We could only bring one bag of a particular size but that doesn’t mean they’re lite.  We can put extra small bags on the bus but we have to load them ourselves.  Everyone has been buying souvenirs so the bags are growing.  Chuck bought a Harris Tweed flat cap and looks very nice in it. The room is large but there is no hair dryer.  We are located with our window on the main highway.  At least it is quiet later and not a problem. We are using US power adapters and it’s a learning experience just finding the outlets.  There are no power outlets in the bathrooms except for shavers.  They use Direct Current here which is very powerful.  There is very little lighting in the room which is not good for us with fading vision!  We’re off to Glasgow today with stops at Glencoe and Loch Lomond. We drive through Ballachulish to get to Glencoe, it is very beautiful.  We enter Glencoe through the tiny village of the same name. We are in Scottish Trust land so there are limits and controls over activity.  We enter Glencoe in full early sun.  It is a spectacular drive, very steep mountain sides with deep valley.  It is the home of the three sisters, three mountains aligned; the legend says a witch turned three beautiful sisters into the mountains.  Falling streams and wild flowers grow here.  The mountains are craggy near the top but covered in green grass most of the way.  It is eerily silent with only the wind blowing.  This is the site of a terrible massacre.  The Campbells killed 30 sleeping MacDonald’s over a dispute of loyalty to the monarchs. This area also was used in Harry Potter films and Bond film Sky Fall.  On over the moors toward Loch Lomond. We continue to think of Alaska scenery in various areas.  But there is no big game, so the thrill is in the mountains and lochs.  We stop long enough for some of the passengers to take the cruise but we opt out.  We have visited Loch Lomond at various times so didn’t feel we needed to do it.  Ben Lomond is out and clearly seen today. Not a high peak but very distinctive back drop for Loch Lomond. We take pictures from every angle.  The bus continues to Tabet Lodge, a smaller turreted old building. We walk around the grounds and visit the Lodge.  Every hotel has their tartan pattern in the carpet.  One of our passengers played in a dance band here when he was very young.  He has come back from Cork Ireland with his daughter from Australia to retrace his steps.  The cruisers and we get back on the bus and head to Glasgow.  Disappointed we didn’t stop at Luss, but can see the road house that sits in the village.  Enter Glasgow in bright sun and warm temps.  We stop at Glasgow Cathedral which dates back very early and where St. Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow’s relics are located.  We see the necropolis, a fancy burial plot for all the mover and shaker wealthy business people long ago.  Glasgow does not have the early history same as Edinburgh, they were founded on trade, mostly with America.  We also stop at the Provost house, the oldest house in Glasgow, 1481.  To our hotel, the Holiday Inn Express just one block from the top of Buchanan Street.  This area has changed greatly since we lived here.  A new Symphony Hall and the Buchanan Galleries, upscale shopping.  The buildings have been sand blasted so the black soot is gone. Buchanan Street is still a pedestrian way but the shops and restaurants have changed.  Lots of upscale shopping. Fraser’s department store is still here and we do a quick run through.  Princes Square is still very beautiful and very well maintained. As we turn the corner, voila!, the same Pizza Hut that we went to 25 years ago is there.  It was the only Pizza Hut in the city at the time and we had to go there for a fix.  There is a hodgepodge of American fast food places here now.  Many restaurants and pubs have taken over old banks and business buildings and retro fitted them, mostly conserving the original architecture. We see one old building on George Square where they conserved the building but built two floors with a glass covering.  We make our way to Sauchiehall, still the place for everyday Glaswegians to shop.  We do a quick stop in the Willow Tea Room to look at souvenirs.  Will try to get back for tea before we leave.  This tea room has a great history and is completely furnished and styled in MacIntosh motif.  We catch a cab to the Ubiquitous Chip.  It has been a dream to finally get to this great restaurant.  We travel by cab over to near Glasgow University.  The very old front buildings really look like Hogwarts.  We have to walk down a narrow lane to Ashton Lane.  It’s a funky tiny street jammed with tiny cafes and bars.  The Chip has been here since 1971 but it really came into its own about 25 years ago.  The ratings are still very high.  The dining room has a glass ceiling, stone walls, a fish pond and plants hanging down.  The meal is incredible.  We try a Portuguese chardonnay which was surprisingly good. We are served a beet root and yogurt aperitif, excellent.  Pat has the Mull crab beignet on corn chowder and Chuck has scallops.  We are served buck wheat bread with a dark yellow rich butter.  Main course is Scottish Angus fillets, Chuck has his peppercorn crusted Pat has brown butter shrimp sauce, steamed veg and Potatoes Anna.  It included a strange but excellent mushroom side, ground mushrooms in a sauce.  Dessert is oatmeal encrusted ice cream with whisky/honey glaze and fresh fruit.  Complimentary blueberry and coconut truffles served with coffee.  Excellent!!!!  Back to the room by cab.  Needing sleep. Don’t leave until 9AM and no need to pack since we’re staying two nights.  After all the coughing and sneezing on the bus we are starting to feel it. Trying to stave it off as best we can.  Nightly night!