I hope you don’t get sick of hearing about our Scotland trip, but I wanted to tell you about a little adventure we had one day. (If you’re in a hurry, you’ll want to skip this post!) I’ll try to get back to the occasional normal post after this, although there’s precious little excitement happening around here.
We spent our first week in Scotland at Isabelle‘s exploring the beautiful area around Edinburgh. There were castles, abbeys, churches, golf courses, and scenic little villages. After that first week, we decided to go and spend a few days in the Highlands. We stayed in a little hotel in Dornie, just within view of the beautiful Eilean Donan castle.
The first night in our hotel, we met a fun group — a camera club of 10 people from Darbyshire in England who were in the Highlands for a week to take pictures. On the second night, we compared notes from our first day’s activities, and they said they’d been on a long drive to have lunch in a potting shed. “You must go — it’s a real experience and it’s something you’ll talk about for a long, long time!” they said. When my plan for the next morning sort of fell through, we set off with these instructions that I barely remembered — “Turn right at Shielbridge, go over the mountain and just drive until the road ends.” So we drove. Over the mountain. On skinny little one lane roads. Absolutely fantastic, unbelievable scenery. And lots and lots of sheepies.
Did you see the sheepies in that picture? Well, after driving for what seemed like a very long time, we thought we might have missed a turn somewhere, so we asked a young woman on the side of the road if she’d ever heard of the place that serves lunch in a potting shed.
Hmmm. She thought for a minute. “Yes. I think if you go back up the road to the second house by the candle place, that’s where they serve lunch in a potting shed.”
We went back up the road and turned into the drive of a very pretty Scottish manor house. Hmmm. There was a shed. And what looked like a small parking area. But no signs. So, I walked up to the house, and into a very cluttered vestibule to ring the front door bell. A big pair of waders that had just been stepped out of stood in front of the door and there were two, wet, friendly dogs there to keep me company. After a few minutes a …. ok, ManoftheHouse, you must cover your eyes now. Ok? So, a ….. HOT, mid-50ish gentleman with an even HOTTER Scottish accent answered the door. (Think Sean Connery with hair.) Flibbertygibbet‘s “breath in, breath out” advice was ringing in my ears. Lost or not, this camera club adventure was really working out for me so far!
Ahem. I asked Mr. HOT Scotsman if he served lunch in his potting shed. (Stop laughing, I really did!) He sort of laughed and I explained the whole thing to him. He thought awhile and said I must mean “Sheena’s Tea Hut, but that’s about 20 miles from here.” Then he came out to the car and showed us on the map where we needed to go. And if there’s one thing we learned in the Highlands it’s this: 20 miles isn’t really 20 miles. It’s WAY longer. Maps, while an accurate picture of where you need to go, are in no way accurate about how long it will take you to get there. But what the heck, we had all afternoon so we thanked Mr. HOT Scotsman and continued on our way, chuckling at the fact that his neighbor thinks he serves lunch in his potting shed. (He’s probably serving something in his potting shed, but I don’t think it’s lunch, if you’ll forgive me for saying so.)
Anyway, we followed the map, and sure enough, we eventually came to the end of the road.
And the beautiful little village of Corran. We crossed the footbridge over this beautiful little river (as instructed by Mr. HOT Scotsman.)
And on the other side of the bridge, lookie what we found!
A Buck! At this point TheManoftheHouse is freaking me out by telling me if this guy decides to charge us, we’ll be in big trouble. So we sort of freeze, except that I’m wildly snapping pictures. We have to get around him, so we start inching forward. And that big rack decides to walk up and sniff us!
I’m having a fit — although calmly snapping pictures. TheManoftheHouse manages to get past him so I just sort of stood still and he walked past me. You would have thought he was a skunk or something. Anyway, we went to the end of the path, turned left and there before us was Sheena’s Tea Hut at long last.
It looks just like a potting shed! There was a group of 5 people crowded into the little shed and we stepped inside. One of them was having chicken noodle soup and it was drizzly and cold, so I told Sheena we’d like some soup too. She was all out because “I had a big group of 10 people in here yesterday and they cleaned me out!” So, we had a scone and probably the worst hot chocolate I’ve ever had but the atmosphere was wonderful and Sheena (a great grandma) was just as charming as could be. We talked to her for quite awhile. (And used the facilities too, ’cause the camera club said you should do that — she takes you into her house, through her hall, and into her own private bathroom! Where, conveniently, I might add, there’s a little donation jar LOL.)
During the course of our conversation, Sheena mentioned that she gets lots of visitors. “Supposedly, I’m on the internet.” And, indeed, she is. (If you click on that second link and scroll down to the end, you’ll see pictures of Sheena and of the inside of the hut because I’m a dope and didn’t take any.) Sheena also told us all about the buck. They think he’s about 18 or 19 years old and he’s been coming to Corran for about 9 years and as Sheena said “I love him to bits!” The town feeds him and he’s always there except when he’s in rut. There’s a long story behind it, but they’ve named this little buck Bin Laden. Does this look like a Bin Laden to you???
Yeah, me neither LOL. The camera club was right though– we had a fantastic adventure driving to Corran and it’s something we won’t soon forget. Corran sits right on a little bay surrounded by mountains and the scenery is stunning. Look at these gorgeous little fishing huts, each with their own painted door.
And our timing couldn’t have been more perfect. It was rainy and drizzly, but because it was fall, we were able to see all the beautiful orange on the mountains. As you can see there was snow at the higher elevations too.
So. If you’re ever in the Highlands, take the advice of the camera club and go visit Sheena — it’s something you’ll talk about for a long, long time.
XOXO,
Anna
P.S. You need to run and check out Camille‘s blog — she’s having an AWESOME giveaway!!!
Lots of great pics. Looks like a great trip!
Your pictures are beautiful! It must have been something else to be there in person. Love it.
Forget the pictures of the inside of the potting shed……where are the pictures of Mr. HS??? hehehe…Your pictures are lovely;)
Wow what a terrific adventure and lovely pictures! However, you are missing just one picture, Mr. Hot Scotsman. The buck just doesn’t do it for me after the mention of Mr. Hot Scotsman.
Still giggling here about what Mr HOT Scotsman might be serving in his potting shed!!
Thank you so much for sharing your adventure. The Highlands are my very favourite place to be – we even spent our honeymoon there – and Eilean Donan is gorgeous. Did you go round the castle? It’s lovely as it’s still very much a family home.
I can almost smell the fresh Highland air :-)
xxxx
Oh, thank you for taking me to Corran with you! I enjoyed the countryside of Scotland! What a lovely place…been wanting to go there for years! Too bad we all missed out on the soup at the potting shed, drat that camera club! LOL! ;)
Thanks for all the lovely photos. It was fun to visit the camera club link!
Next time you go to Scotland, can I go too???
Now that was a memorable story! Wish I’d been there with you. I’m putting Scotland on my list of places I need to visit…someday!
OMG!!!! I want/need a HOT Scotsman. I have a cold bald 60 year old LOL To, To Funny Anna. xoxo jewels
Wow, that was a great adventure. Your pictures are making me yearn to go to Scotland. Elliott has ancestors that have a castle there that we would love to go see! (Not that they would know us!)
Anyway, I am glad you had a great adventure, and I hope we get to see a few more of those beautiful scenery shots!
Wow, what an awesome trip you took. I love the pictures.
Awesome. Simply awesome. I live in Scotland too… Scotland, Connecticut that is. LOL…
Jen :)
Anna, since my peeps come from Scotland, it’s a place I’ve always wanted to see. I don’t know if I’ll ever get there, but I sure have enjoyed your pictures.
What a great day! I loved all of the pictures and story. It makes me want to go there and stay for a long time.
Thank you for sharing your pictures! You are pretty darn brave driving on those narrow roads. My husband is English and we just got back from visiting his family. We took a trip up to the lake district (beautiful as well) but full of those tiny roads with sheepies. Needless to say, he did all of the driving.
Who could get sick of hearing about Scotland? Those pictures are stunning!
That is a wonderful story, Anna. Thanks so much for taking the time to share it & all with photos.
Now… run and get the DVDs “Monarch of the Glen”… all filmed in Scotland. A great BBC production… fun story… beautiful scenery. It won’t beat your real life experiences but will certainly rattle some memories.
Joni
i will never tire if scotland pics.
i love them.
you are too funny.
It was bad enough that you didn’t take me with you but not bringing me back the HOT Scotsman is almost unforgiveable!! The pictures are awesome. What a wonderful experience. I’m so glad you had a great time.
A great story Anna – and the photos are gorgeous! Shame you didn’t get any of the HOT scotsman!
Oh, Anna! Next time leave hubby at home and give me a call. We need to go back and take pictures of mr. Hot Scotsman!!!!
I’ve read many a novel where the setting is either Ireland or Scotland and the writer has done extensive research. Someone is always getting lost driving because of local directions “it’s just down the lane and turn right.”
Anna! You’re making me homesick for castles and ruined abbeys and little villages! Not to mention Hot Celts! The OC would sell his soul for a chance to play at St. Andrews…Did Themanofthe House play??
Your pics arne stunning—what beautiful sceneray, !
You were so lucky to run into those camera club folks and get instructions for such a great adventure.
Thanks for sharing all of this…..sigh!
As well as golf the OC is big into cycling. He would love that tour those guys went on!
…Ahem, just think of my misspelling as an attempt at a Scottish accent…aye, that might explain them….that or the way my cursor jitters all over the place.
Love love loved the post. Really loved it. It made me feel like I was with you. The pics and commentary was lovely. How could anyone be in toooo big of a hurry to read this! I will never get there so keep the posts coming.
What pictures and what stories! Too funny.
Oh that was all just too funny :) I love that you met a big deer. I would have cuddled him like a dog. Plus, HOT Scottish man? Nice going, Anna – sounds fabulous!
oh my gosh:) I love the pictures. Ok I really love the story about the shed. asking mr. scottsman:) if he served lunch. Wow that was a big step. What a story. I love the castle in the first picture. Amazing. Thank you so much for sharing:)
Where have I been??!!! A trip to Scotland? Sounds like a dream come true. I for one could never tire of such wonderful stories and breathtaking photos. Thank you! x
That’s a great story – loved reading it and seeing more pics. It all looks so scenic and beautiful. Tell us more about the trip, we aren’t bored!!
Those are some awesome photos! Looks like a wonderful trip. But, for goodness sake, where’s the pix of the hot scotsman?
we forget somethin’ darlin’?????
um HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no pictures of hot scotsman? aye.. a scottish accent just makes me swoon, swoon i tell you. warms me to the core.
i’m going to start blogging again….. one of these days.
in the meantime, i’ll live vicariously thru you!
What a hoot chicky – I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have the guts to walk up to a house and ask about lunch and tea, especially if he was HOT – I would have become all tongue tied for sure. Your adventure sounds wonderful though and it’s the best to meet the locals – I think you learn a lot more about the area.
Keep up with the adventures it’s fun to see the beautiful scenery and hear your tales.
Hugs – karen
Anna, thank you so much for these photos and post, it’s wonderful. I have always wanted to visit the Highlands and hopefully will one day, providing you give me the address of a certain Mr HOT Scotsman!
Kimx
Wow, great read! I wish I could have seen Mr. Hot Scotsman. I laughed at your quest to find the potting shed. Your photos are so wonderful – Scotland is soooo photogenic :)
Oh my, where can I book a flight?! It looks so beautiful.
And I enjoyed the previous posts too. Some of the pics reminded me of the neighbor on the show about Tim the toolman.
Oh, oh oh! I’m enjoying your trip vicariously! I saw the sheepies (very white). What gorgeous countryside. Where’s the pic of the HOT Scotsman?
You drove…how was that experience?
Jody
What a great post, I really enjoyed reading it. Corran looks absolutely beautiful and the buck is cute too. You chose absolutely the right time of year to visit that part of the UK, glad you had such a good time.
Oh Anna. . . I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time. What a wonderful adventure (in so many ways!)! Thanks for all the wonderful photos & stories. I never tire of them.
xo, Bren
What a fantastic trip you had. I cant believe you got that close to the buck. WHOA!! Your one brave gal. Manofthehouse didn’t sound as brave as you. LOL
The worst hot chocolate huh?? Don’t hold back now we really wanna know how you felt about it. LOLOL!!!
I must have been in the same place as Sarah (AnyoneCanQuilt)… where have I been??!!! Great Scot… what a trip!
T Gonna go fill my coffee cup and sit a spell and read all about your fantastic holiday – and have my own little mini vacation via you!
I have no idea why I typed that “T”. I am a dork.
What a wonderful trip and amazing pictures. You made us feel like we were right along your adventure with you.
Seriously, you didn’t take pics of the hot Scot? What a lovely trip. Now I want to go again.
Awesome pictures Anna! I want to go the Sheena’s Tea House–mostly to see that cute deer. What an amazing adventure :)
Custard shortbread sounds lovely, it’s funny how some products are so widely available here in the Uk and not in other countries and vice versa…on my to do list.
Susannah x
Even if I was in a hurry, I wouldn’t have missed this post for anything! What a lovely adventure, Anna – I felt like I was driving down the road with you. Why didn’t you take a photo of the HOT Scotsman?!? I guess I’ll dream of a hairy Sean Connery now. Love Mr. Bin Laden – he is beautiful! What gorgeous scenery, too! I have to watch “The Quiet Man” now, even though it’s Ireland – the scenery is almost the same. Heavy sigh……..
Anna what beautiful photos! It all looks so beautiful! I would love to go … one day … when I get over promising myself that I will never fly again! :) Hope you are well! I love your kitties behaving badly! Our cat was so pleased to be released from her ‘prison’ (boarding kennel) when we returned that she has hardly left my side!
great photos…love the way you wrote this!! and the buck..and the tea hut…i wanna go! :)