LOCH LOMOND 21ST TO 24TH NOVEMBER

Only three words to describe our stay in Loch Lomond; O.M.G. As we arrived there was a mini argument between us; I was convinced we had come to the wrong place. There is no ‘personal parking’; only valet parking, all part of the service. When I checked on line (once in our room) I found that the room we had booked at less than $200 per night with breakfast was actually going for $568 per night excluding breakfast.

We have just spent three nights living the life of baronial Lord and Lady Muck! Our cases were removed from the car and transported to our room. From there on in it was “Yes, sir; certainly sir”. I could get used to this life-style; Hey, I AM used to it already. Breakfast is phenomenal as is all of the dining here. My favourite? Pheasant and haggis – hey, its’ a hard life but someone has to do it!

Situated on the shore of Loch Lomond, Cameron house even has its own sea-plane. Unfortunately it was not operating during our stay due to the bad weather. Well, you can’t win ‘em all and I just had to make do with a photo of the jetty instead.

The bed is by far the most comfortable I have ever slept in. All I need do now is find out if I can hide it in my suit-case when we leave.

Even the blooming bathroom mirror has an anti-mist section in the middle!

Cameron House is more of a resort than a hotel so we have a heated swimming pool to relax in when we get bored.

There is even a dedicated whiskey bar with more than 270 different malts to drink. Unfortunately Julie drew the line and banned me from sampling every one of them in stock! I still haven’t worked out what her problem is; it’s only 90 each night!

Day one we took a trip to a local distillery to see how the local brew was made. Single malt tastings were included in the tour price so thankfully Julie was the designated

driver.

On a note of sadness; there are 124 distilleries in Scotland but only 14 of them remain in independent control; Glengoyne is one of them. It is classed as a small distillery, only producing 1 million or so litres per year!!! I just couldn’t resist and will be bringing a couple of bottles home with me ‘for later consumption’!

The weather is generally rain, rain and more rain, cold and bleak. However, all this does is serve to enhance the experience. We are relaxing in the library or just sitting by one of the numerous log fires roaring away throughout the hotel. That is of course when we are not day-tripping, swimming or eating!

On Friday morning, after a leisurely breakfast we had the car delivered to us and took a ride out to Stirling Castle for a few hours. As with all castles of the era, their location is at the highest point of the region and designed for defence; in the case of Stirling Castle to defend itself from the marauding Sassenachs in days gone by. The views are awesome!

Tired and cold (I’ve gone bloody soft since living in Australia) we returned to our temporary home of luxury before dark (4-00 pm)  and got out of the car just as it started to rain again. Not a problem though, we just left the bell-boy to park the car for us.

Unfortunately, we have to leave tomorrow for North Wales and according the  weather forecast we could have trouble reaching our destination due to inclement weather – heavy rain and flooding forecast for the A55 near Bangor.

Watch this space!

TESTAMENT TO THE SERVICE HERE!

Didn’t book dinner at the hotel tonight assuming that we would get in to one of the 4 restaurants here. WRONG!

All restaurants fully booked with the first available slot 9-30 pm. Room service it is. And you guys thought we were having a good time.