The hand that holds Sterling, holds Scotland

Oh how the Highlands rejuvenate the soul!!! There are no words for the landscape north of Edinburgh. Rolling hills (they claim are mountains) covered in snow and swirling streams of water. Sheep peacefully grazing and highland cows wandering aimlessly. Castles there are like Starbucks, they are on every corner and are a guaranteed high. You see one and you want to drink it one tip of the cup, letting its warmth sink down your throat! And yet it leaves you wanting more, and the next day you have a headache if your eyes can't find one. We were lucky enough to go to Loch Ness on a sunny, flawless day and thus were able to see every speck of beauty out our tour windows. As usual we were aware of how different we are, such as us running and jumping through the fields on our bus breaks while others walked around with heavy shoulders. For those of you who saw our pictures, you can tell we are ones who want to fully absorb it all, in every way we can!

After Loch Ness and the castle there we moved on to Inverness, where we went hiking on the Great Glenn Way and wandered the city. After that we took the train to Dundee where my friend Matt picked us up and let us stay at his lovely flat. The next day was the most magical of all, and the fullest too. We went to the infamous St. Andrews and experienced the posh golf course there. We walked along the beach on another perfect day, and marvelled at the old stone around us. After that we went to a small town up the coast called Creole, where Matt's darling parents live. We wandered the oceanfront with them and went to a warm pub for fish-n-chips, and of course looked at embarrassing photos of Matt as a baby :-) Then came my personal favorite, something I have DREAMED of doing for so so long! Can you guess? I have always wanted to see it snow on the beach, and not just flakes but snow that sticks. I couldn't imagine what it would feel like, that slick soft wetness of snow mixed with the grainy earthy sand. It was absolutely freezing but we didn't care, we danced and jumped and played and embraced this phenomenon. It truly was a magical day, and I was so glad I got to see more of Scotland than Edinburgh, for I know cities are not a proper portrayal of a country. Now I am in Belfast, and will report more when I slow down enough!