Sixty, Scotland, and a Birthday to Remember
Crossing Borders and
Nano-Technology
10 April
Every great road trip needs a soundtrack, and ours came in the form of Micro by Michael Crichton—one of Bev’s favourite authors. She insisted on doing all the driving (no complaints here), while I absorbed a steady stream of nano-technology, science, and just enough plot to keep things moving. Let’s say it leaned more “lecture in micro engineering” than “character study”… but it did the job and got us to Scotland in the right mood: curious, slightly bewildered, and ready for adventure.
Crossing the border (photo proof included below) instantly made the journey feel official. By the time we reached our cottage near Lochgilphead, the views had properly opened up—lochs, hills, and Toby’s very own two-acre paddock.
Bev admired the view over Loch Gilp. Toby claimed the land.
Glencoe, Haggis and Questionable Navigation
11 April
We eased into things with a trip to Oban—via Boots (painkillers for my protesting foot and my hip, that had joined in solidarity) and Costa (cake for morale). A well-rounded start.
Then Glencoe… and that moment when the scenery quietly takes your breath away. We stopped at Buachaille Etive Mòr, where Toby struck a pose like a seasoned landscape model, before heading to Kingshouse Hotel for a pint and tatties, neeps and haggis—served with a view that frankly did most of the work.
Castle Stalker rounded off the day, along with a brief and entirely unplanned excursion through someone’s farmyard. Sat Navs: bold, but not always wise.
Culinary Disappointment, Spiritually Restored
12 April
Back to Oban for supplies and a wander. It’s a lovely place—though sadly home to the worst fish and chips we’ve ever had (see Bev’s “before” photo for a moment of pure, unspoiled optimism).
Balance was restored later with the expensive purchase of a bottle of Lagavulin 16-year-old Isle of Islay single malt whiskey. Medicinal purposes, obviously.
Cairns, Culture, and Complete Saturation
13 April
A cultural turn at Kilmartin Museum—fascinating, atmospheric, and just dry enough to lull us into a false sense of security before heading out to the cairns and standing stones.
Cue rain. Proper rain. Bev went from “intrepid explorer” to “soggy but committed” in record time.
We retreated to the Kilmartin Hotel for ale and more haggis, while Toby watched our plates like a dog who’d been deeply wronged.
Glencoe in Full Cinematic Mode
14 April
Photography day in Glencoe. No hiking—my foot firmly overruled that plan—but plenty of stopping, wandering, and soaking it all in. Waterfalls spilled down the hillsides, mist hung low, and everything felt properly Scottish.
Toby joined me in the pass, supervising the operation.
We also revisited Castle Stalker—this time finding the correct route. Personal growth.
Sketches, Showers, and Paddock Patrols
15 April
Rain settled in, so we slowed down with it. I edited photos on a MacBook that sounded like it needed a cup of tea and a lie down. Bev sketched the cottage.Toby continued his tireless paddock patrol.
The Big 6-0
16 April
Birthday adventures took us to Kilchurn Castle along one of those drives where you keep saying, “This is ridiculous,” every few minutes.
No stags, but Highland cattle made a strong appearance—and honestly, they’re better value. The castle itself was stunning, with just enough light breaking through to make everything feel cinematic.
Then, as if on cue, a Highland cow appeared quietly behind me. No drama, no fuss—just there. I took the hint and got the shot. It seemed like the polite thing to do.
Farewell Scotland,
Until Next Time.
17 April
All good things wrap up eventually. We packed, Toby had one final sprint around his estate, and we hit the road—finishing off Micro as we went. A neat full-circle moment: from science-heavy beginnings to a quietly satisfying end.
Scotland delivered exactly what we’d hoped for—big landscapes, bigger weather, a few mishaps, and a genuinely unforgettable birthday.
Huge thanks to Bev for it all. We’ll be back… ideally with a fully functioning foot next time.
