The Hebrides, Scotland

 

June 22, 2026

Mull and Iona

 

I had never been to the Hebrides,

And I was eager to go.

We boarded a ferry boat.

It was pleasant as it was slow.

 

We landed on the island of Mull,

Then loaded up on the bus.

Lavon and I sat top front,

Which was lucky for us

 

Through green hills, lakes and rocks,

There seemed to be a code,

on how traffic maneuvered

on the narrow, one-lane road.

 

Then we took another ferry

To the Island of Iona,

Scotland’s birthplace of the Church.

It had its own persona.

 

Stone walls lined the roads,

Along with colorful flowers,

Old stone buildings, an ancient church,

That spoke of higher powers.

 

We watched the boats sail on the bay

As we waited for the boat.

Then back to Mull and Oban

With Jan’s story while we were afloat.

 

It was a satisfying day

Which we finished off with dinner.

Touring the isles of the Hebrides

Was certainly a winner.

Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Ben Nevus

 June 21

What I did on the First Day of Summer

 

The mysterious Loch Ness monster,

Something we didn’t see,

Though we floated above its home

O so merrily.

 

It’s there we went to Urquhart castle.

It was quite a sight.

But it was all destroyed on the count

To keep from the Jacobite.

 

We drove by Ben Nevus.

In Scotland, it was the tallest.

But to these Coloradans, it looked closer

to the smallest.

 

We drove quite a ways

To Oban,

Played some games

And turned up the fan.

 

We slept well that night

Now we’re on the go

We’ll be headed to the Hebrides

To see what it will show.

 

Pitlochry/Inverness Scotland

 

Lots of Walking

June 20, 2026

 

Walked to Tummel River

100 stone steps uphill

 

Found the trail

From the evening before

 

Gem shop—heather to gems

Bought a necklace

 

Culloden battlefields

Heard audio in hearing aids

 

Cairnes and big trees

Snapped pictures

 

Inverness

Gateway to the Highlands.

 

Time for bed

14,196 steps

 

I’m bushed!

Edinburgh to the Highlands/Pitlochry

 June 19, 2026

Off to the Highlands

 

In Edinburgh got up at six to the alarm. Breakfast offered eggs,

sausage, Scottish bacon (ham), beans, tomatoes and blood pudding.

 

We went back up to the room, brushed teeth,

and finished packing to meet the others by 8:45.

 

We drove to Colross, a town from the 1600s.

They have laws to keep it looking that way.

 

I remember being there with my sister, years ago.

We had gone up to the top of the hill and took pictures.

 

This time, though, we toured the yellow house.

We marveled at all the nooks and crannies and garden.

 

The house’s owner Sir George Bruce made the town famous

For its undersea coal mining and its salt mines.                                    .

 

Later, we toured an ancient chapel at St Andrews

We walked around some impressive church ruins.

 

I dozed off on the long drive to the Highlands.

I woke up grouchy, though I tried not to be.

 

We took some pics in front of Ben Nevus,

Enjoying the beautiful scenery, and I felt better.

 

We got settled into our Pitlochry hotel, fortunately on first floor.

The hotel had many steps and no elevators.

 

Our guide walked with my friend and I to town to help us

find the heather gem shop and a grocery store for snacks.

 

Lavon and I ate a delicious supper at a pub.

Now I’ve eaten schnitzel in Ireland, Germany and Scotland.

 

After we ate, we took a walk, looking for the river,

but quit before we found it because of her ankle and my back.

 

Removed the stuff scattered on my bed and journaled.

I had been ready for bed all day long.

Edinburgh, Scotland

 June 18, 2026

Found

 

Hallelujah!

Airport Lost and Found emailed.

The lost is found.

When I hold my passport,

I can chillax.

 

We walked up the hill

to Edinburgh castle

Past so many old buildings.

Bought a funny book

for the nature center library.

 

Our guide led us to the tram stop.

We trammed to the airport.

I was so happy to get my passport,

I had my friend take a picture.

Then we trammed back.

 

That was about 2 or 2:30.

We found a place to eat lunch.

I ordered chips (not crisps)

Big bowl full of French fries for five pounds.

What were they thinking?

 

We walked back to the hotel.

Got directions for hop on and off.

Stayed on the bus out of the rain.

Rode the whole circular route.

No one quiz me on what the tour guide said.

 

Had biscuits and crisps for supper.

(cookies and potato chips)

Edinburgh, Scotland

 

June 17

Approaching

 

I’m approaching panic.

I’m not there yet.

I’ve done something

I never thought I’d do.

I lost my passport.

 

I only have today and tomorrow

in Edinburgh, Scotland,

then our tour group moves on

and we’re not coming back this way.

 

Debating.

Should I give the airport

a chance to find it?

I think I left it in the seat pocket

of my last flight.

 

Or should I cancel it

and order an emergency one?

 

I’ve been emailing and phone calling all day

and going around in circles.

 

We trammed back to the airport.

The woman at lost and found sounded confident.

 

But she’s not the one who’d be stuck in Scotland.

 

I’m not at panic yet,

but I’m approaching.

 

Tour group met.

Walked to pub for supper.

Enjoyed the evening

Pushed passport problem from my mind.

Temporarily.

First Day in Scotland

 

June 16

Arriving Without Passport

 

Ten-hour ride stuck between a couple

Pain, squirm, thirsty, and watch a movie

London to Edinburgh short flight

Chat with a dad and time flies

Arrive in Edinburgh,

Uber to hotel

I settle in

Friend arrives

Passport?

No!