OOPS. Unlike me to get ahead of myself. I posted Glasgow before INVERNESS ( 5-8 May ).

Inverness is the largest City in the Scottish Highlands and as such is the Highlands ' cultural capital'. It developed in the 1700's around the hub of the Cathedral through the town market which still operates. The River Ness runs through the city where it meets the Moray Firth (triangular inlet-firth, of the North Sea). The famous Loch Ness is 21 kms South and feeds into the River Ness. The narrow passage where this occurs protects the city from being threatened from the ravages of the Loch Ness Monster (Nessie). Here is my photo exploration of the City.

  

                                      'Slan' Inverness

                                               Glasgow
Arrived here Monday 8th for a 3 night stint. Walking out of Queen Street Station into the centre of Glasgow was a 'sensation to the eye' experience being greeted with:

George Square

Glasgow city exudes 'old' and although having been in the UK now for nearly a month and thinking 'surely the next place can't outdo the last', invariably it does.

Glasgow does have it's busy retail hub, with a shopping mall the longest stretch I have ever seen or at least equal too ( Moscow Arbat street).

It is a bustling city with cafes and restaurants to be found everywhere and, somewhat surprisingly until reading up on the reasons why, more Italian cafes and restaurants than usual (if you want to know why, read up on it.) 
We had a fantastic late lunch the day we arrived at a Ristorante e  Pizzeria.

The view from our table.

Of course like everywhere around the world American food imperialism is abundant.

But you have to take the bad with the good and when it comes to Glasgow, at first glance, there is more good than bad.

It would have been good to have spent more time exploring Glasgow. The same can be said regarding everywhere we have been and if that was the case we'd never get home!!!

        Scottish Highlands and Kyle of Lochalsh-6 May

The two 1/2 hour train 100 km trip west of Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh ( Caol Loch Aillse-" strait of the foaming Loch" ) is one of the most scenic on the Scotrail Network. The best highlights are on the latter part where the mountains meet the sea. The village is at the entrance to Loch Alsh, opposite the village of Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye.

Looking over to Kyleakin on Isle of Skye.

The highland scenery is magical which is only caught  as a 'snippet' with a camera.

 The village is very picturesque and Kyle is a busy working Port.

Unloading wind turbine blades off a barge for transport on trucks.

The North Atlantic air route goes over the northwest highlands and is extremely busy.

And if you catch the train and alight at a intermediate station there is technology in place to ensure you alight from the right side of the train.

                                    Well worth the trip.

           THE WELSH HIGHLANDS AND STEAM!

A trip over the Snowdonia Highlands by steam train is an experience not to be missed. The steam line is operated by two entities , the Ffestiniog Railway, operating from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog and the Welsh Highland Railway operating from Caernarfon to Porthmadog. Travelling one way on both takes you from one side of the Highlands to the other which is what we did. 

Llandudno Jct to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The approach to Porthmadog.

We had lunch at Porthmadog which had excellent facilities with bar and restaurant. While here, the train we arrived on prepared for it's return journey to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

After lunch we boarded for the leg to Caernarfon.

Not ours. we're in cattle class.

This was a great day out seeing some magnificent country. Travelling around the country primarily by train as we are can present its challenges. Without wanting to bore, I will outline the logistics of this trip as an example.
We caught the train from Conwy, where we were staying, at 1019 getting off at Llandudno Jct., the next stop, at 1021 for a 1025 departure to Blaenau Ffestiniog. We arrived at 1130 for a 1135 departure on the steam train, purchasing tickets before departure. Arrived at Porthmodog 1250 departing on the Welsh Highland train at 1410 arriving at Caernarfon 1620. Walked 15 min into town and jumped on a no. 5c bus to Bangor. Caught a 1715 train Bangor to Lladudno Jct, express through Conwy, arriving 1800 then 15 min walk back to Conwy and dinner at an Indian restaurant. We had a 'ball'.