UK & Northern Europe Roadtrip 2018
Week 3 – 29 May 2018 – 4 June 2018
Scotland/England
We have been absolutely blessed with good weather on our travels into the Highlands of Scotland. And boy were we impressed! What a great first month to our Europe Roadtrip.
29 May
We were on the North West Highlands Tourist Route. Something new for us, as we normally avoid anything with the word tourist in it! The highlands 
are amazing. Alth
ough anywhere with mountains, means I am pretty happy, this was next level!
I took so many photos and video. I may have to make a special youtube just for people wanting to adventure through this majestic part of the world.
It was breathtaking and in all seriousness you could spend a LOT longer. Our time in the highlands was treasured and with PERFECT weather.
We 
were told many times a d
ay, this was NOT normal weather. LOL! Blue skies and sunshine suits me!
We settled that night at Oldshoremore Beach. What a find! You feel you are in the middle of nowhere and then you climb a hill and there is a beautiful beach…
30 May
More glorious driving through the highlands today! Coupled this with a v
isit to Smoo Caves, a large combined sea water and freshwater cave 10 minutes out of Durness, Scotland. It was beautiful and of course we had glorious weather, so we were keen to investigate Smoo!
Popular spot, therefore, parking can be a challenge especially for larger vehicles. It is worth the walk down after enjoying the amazing view from above.
The first outer chamber was created by the ocean, the internal caves have been created by two freshwater streams.
There is a cave tour available or you can enter the first chamber and wooden walkway for free. There are notes available in various languages laminated for all weather conditions.
Very excited, we came across Roe Deer! Dotted here and there and also a herd of them in a small village. Heading down from the North in the centre of Scotland from Bettyhill to Helmsdale. We thought we had found Red Deer (not the right time of year) and were later told they were Roe Deer.
May 31
Driving around the highlands I have decided, is good for the soul! Breathing in fresh air, the green rolling hills entwined with the occasional sharp rocky rise. Beautiful lakes and hidden pools around every turn. Yes, there are one
lane roads for two way traffic. At times likes this, I reflect on how lucky I am to have my husband and driver, who can drive anything anywhere. I get to sit back and enjoy the incredible surroundings breathing in new energy from the ar
ray of nature before us.
Staying in Inverness that night, what a beautiful town! We took a drive out to Loch Ness, Brittains largest body of water by volume. It holds more freshwater than all of the other lakes in England & Wales put together. Famous for being home of the Loch Ness Monster. Sorry to report, no sighting of the Loch Ness Monster. It’s 32 miles long and one of the deepest in Brittain on average 229m!!
Fort George
Next stop, Fort George a large 18th-century fortress near Ardersier. Still an active military base and kept in immaculate condition. As English 
Heritage pass members we got in half price.
Free audio guide on entry explains the various areas and gives insight into what it would have been like. If weather is clear there is a chance to see dolphins. But alas, we had dreary weather with fog for our visit and no dolphins were able to be spotted.
Completed in 1967 and at the time of it’s construction it cost an equivalent to One Billion dollars today!
Highland Cattle – OMG!!!!
We made our way up through the Cairngorms mountains into Ballater.
There were a few times we were helping Betsy along with a ‘Çome on Betsy you can do it’!! With roads up to 25% in gradient. But, in true Betsy style she handled it like a pro!’
The highlight of this day (other than amazing scenery) was meeting a family of 
Highland Cattle. They originated in the Highlands and Hebrides Islands of Scotland and were first mentioned in the 6th century AD! Having been bred to withstand the conditions in the Scottish Highlands they are very hardy.
Bulls can weigh up to 800 kilograms and cows up to 500 kilograms. They have two layers of hair, one close to their skin that is softer to keep them warm and then a top o
ily layer to protect against weather. We LOVE them! There is more photos and video in our youtube weekly wrap.
We stayed at Ballater Caravan Park, a beautiful park with all the trimmings including no timed showers, hairdryers, playground and dump point complete with hand sanitizer! Also, their wifi is the first wifi we have come across that actually works throughout the park.
June 1
Balmoral Castle, lovely but not on your English Heritage pass and you only get to see one room of the castle, a ballroom.
This room had the Christmas photos for many years on display, art and some silverware. The grounds are beautiful. The staff at this castle were amazing, they were all so lovely but I would have to say I wouldn’t do it again. Just we were there and it is Balmoral Castle.
The new castle was completed in 1856, the Scottish home of the Brittish Royal family since 1852. Side note, you can stay in their car park over night if self contained.
Leaving Balmoral Castle we made our way to Edinburgh. Staying outside the city in Prestonpans.
June 2 Edinburgh Castle
We parked at the train station in Prestonpans and took a train to the city and made our way on foot to Edinburgh Castle. Arriving just in time for the 21 gun salute (an hour earlier than noted in brochures?). Quick check on the Queen’s jewels and spent some time looking in the military museum. Always 
interesting and a great spot for some reading for Miss B.
The royal castle has stood here since the 12th century. It is built on top of an extinct volcano which is believed to have risen 350 million years ago.
This is included half price admission on your English Heritage pass. More info and photos in weekly youtube wrap, including the 21 gun salute.
A walk around Edinburgh, what a lovely city and some amazing 
street buskers / performers.
More Worldschoolers
We then had another worldschooler meetup with Dominique, Anai & 
David. They were staying in Edinburgh. We had a great time, chatted for hours sharing stories and the kids had a ball!
LOVE these moments with other worldschooling families! Not only for the social enjoyment, but we will cross paths in many different countries for years to come. These friendships and community of like minded people just don’t happen when you are stagnant.
June 3
Back to England! Off to Barnard Castle set on a high rock above the River 
Tees complete with a sensory garden. Beautiful grounds, great information boards.
It is one of the largest castles in North England.
The original castle was made of mainly timber and earth.
Next castle of the day….Richmond Castle. Another one on your English Heritage pass, free 
entry. Situated on a rocky promontory above River Swale with lovely views over Dales market town.
Building begun about 1070 on this Norman stone fortress by Alan the Red. Henry II added the keep about a century later. According to legend, King Arthur and his knights lie sleeping in a cavern beneath the keep. (Information from English Heritage)
More Info and photos in weekly wrap on youtube.
June 4
Scarborough Castle with a great view over the port and town. 16 acres to stroll, fantastic free audio tour that really sets the scene. Great Information boards loads of reading opportunities for worldschoolers complete with time lines.
While we there a fog had set in and it was very eerie and very chilly!
The parking for the castle is timed. Collect a wheel clock from the newsagent (or draw a clock?) and set it to when you arrive then you have to be back by the maximum you are allowed to park there, which is signed.
We then left for York where we walked the wall of the city. Parking is expensive here, but we stopped in the car park for a local supermarket which had a 3hr limit. On returning from our exploring we did do some grocery shopping and fueled up. (Cheapest fuel in UK to date!
)
Brett had his hair cut at a barber and we found an excellent model and hobby shop. We made it out of there without buying anything, very rare indeed. Luckily we are at the beginning of our adventures or could have been a very different story!
Clifford’s Tower
Next on the to do list. What is left of York Castle on a mound raised by
William the conqueror in 1068.
The tower you visit was built in 1250s for Henry III. It was once a prison and a royal mint.
One of our favourite things about our visit was a large story book in the tower that explains various things about castles, the roles of the people who lived and worked there and ways in which it could be attacked. Very good for kids. I created a youtube version for castle lovers and worldschoolers as we would of liked to show Miss B before we visited so many castles.
Miss B read it to us and was a great interactive way of gaining a better understanding of what it would have been like.
This was another free entry with English Heritage pass.
We then made our way to just north of Doncaster to a lovely wildcamp. Details are listed on our page – Europe Roadtrip 2018 – Where we stayed.
What did we take
What we took, electronics, kitchen and all things we needed for the duration of our roadtrip click here. (we are slowly adding each week as we have data/time)
Having done a three and half month roadtrip last year in South Europe and 5 months in UK & Northern Europe in 2018 we were pretty confident in what we would need’this time. Also, what worked and what we would not bother taking again.
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More to follow next week as we continue our travels through Northern England, brief stopover in Rochford before leaving for France on 11th and new adventures await….
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