Scotland Saga: The 1st Installment

roopakr · 14th July 2009, 22:50

One weekend + two cars + eight travellers = an experience to remember

The basic idea behind this thread would be to show the unadulterated, authentic natural beauty of the highlands and, of course, the rides that took us places.

The journey
I had a quick, one-day trip to the Highlands of Scotland once in winter and it was then that I realised how different and beautiful the same places would be in summer. That realisation ignited the idea for this last trip I am sharing with all of your now.

The journey of seven adults and one kid began on the morning of the 4th of July, in two hired cars. Cars? Yeah, they were, of course, a major factor of the trip. When the plan includes driving through never-ending roads surrounded by mountains and forests, cars definitely end up being the stars.

The ride
I couldn’t stop myself from opting for the FIAT Bravo, as soon as I knew I could rent it out. Vauxhall Astra was the other option in the same segment of hatchbacks. It was later after booking the cars that I realised how the cars’ availability depends on the renting location.

Since Bravo was not available in the renting location near my place, Volkswagen GOLF and Peugeot 307 were offered as suitable replacements. GOLF would have been a fun car to drive, definitely; but with the experience of having a Peugeot Engine in one of our old Ambassadors in India, I knew the latter was quite powerful and sturdy enough for the trip.

As the size of both the hatchbacks was almost same, we decided to opt for the Peugeot.

By 10:30 AM, we already had the keys to a Black Astra 1.9cDTi and a silver Peugeot 308 Hdi.

The needles cruised till...
I was only insured to the Peugeot, so I could drive only it for the entire journey. With the specs in my head, I couldn’t resist pushing the pedals down.

These are the speeds that we were able to attain
1) Astra: 100 Mph (161 km/hr)
2) Peugeot: 120 Mph (193 km/hr)

I was sure that there was still room for another 30 to 35 mph, if only the speed cameras were not there to warn us.

The sights
In two days and one night, we visited the following places:
1) Village of Luss
2) Loch Lomond
3) Glencoe
4) Fort Williams
5) Fort Augustus
6) Loch Ness
7) Urquarht Castle
8) Inver Ness

To capture these sights and the preserve the moments for posterity, I used my Canon Rebel XS.

The trip was fruitful and meaningful, in terms of travel, experience and the enjoyment of being with friends; but words may prove boring for those who have not been there. So, the words end here; the pictures start.

(Comments and reviews are entertained.)

To start with , snaps from our first stop,
The LUSS village (Loch LomonD)

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MileCruncher · 15th July 2009, 00:32

Good pictures mate. Post pics of the rides as well.

hillram · 15th July 2009, 00:44

During my trip to Inverness,I eagerly awaited the Loch Ness Monster :-)
Did you by any chance encounter it?

Nitin · 15th July 2009, 00:45

I guess its just me, but every time I read about a Scottish travelogue, and I see pics of a lake; I begin to look for Nessie! Quite dumb, I know.
Interesting pic of the Loch Lomon. What time of the day was this pic taken?

roopakr · 15th July 2009, 02:22

@Milecruncher :- Pics of the rides coming soon.
@Hillram :- Yeah found Nessie and fed it as well, LOL. Do you need a pic?
@Nitin :- I think it was around 12 , when i clicked these pics.

Fordmanchau · 16th July 2009, 00:06

Nice pics of the lake with the cloud hovering over.
Awaiting the pics of the car.

roopakr · 16th July 2009, 02:07

The rides that took us places....and some shots of the bikers

Scotland Saga: The 1st Installment-astra_back.jpg

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Scotland Saga: The 1st Installment-duo.jpg

Scotland Saga: The 1st Installment-biker..jpg

Scotland Saga: The 1st Installment-grass.jpg

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Fordmanchau · 16th July 2009, 10:08

This is hot stuff roopakr. The wheels look extremely enchanting!! peugeot in particular looks like a Hatchback with a big boot inside.Last foto is awesome, good fotos. keep them coming!!

roopakr · 16th July 2009, 12:22

Thanks @ford. Yes peugeot 308's heavy and wide front makes you think that it's a big car with boot.

finneyp · 16th July 2009, 12:32

Nice pics Roopakr! Love Scotland for its scenic beauty!

BTW what cam you have?

roopakr · 16th July 2009, 16:38

@finney , I am using a canon rebel xs or also known as eos 1000d. I did mention it in my first post.thanks for the comment

MileCruncher · 16th July 2009, 18:10

The pics are awesome and the rides and the scenery come out really well !!! Some more landscape please

I once had the Astra 1.6 coupe with the panoramic windscreen. Awesome car. Also had the Vectra 1.9 cDTi 6 Speed Manual. Awesome car, with good 100 + MPH stability and still returned about 46MPG.

rjstyles69 · 16th July 2009, 19:38

roopakr lemme guess , this is your 1st travelogue here. Splendid man, you have come out with flying colors. Excellent images and lovely composition.

roopakr · 16th July 2009, 20:06

Riju, Yeah this is my first travelogue and it feels good to hear such a comment from a great photographer

14000rpm · 16th July 2009, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by roopakr

Riju, Yeah this is my first travelogue and it feels good to hear such a comment from a great photographer

A good photographer you definitely are. The pix have got something in them that makes them look awesome. kudos. Did you do any bit of post processing on the pix?
Scotland is definitely a beautiful place. missed a chance of being placed there at clients place near Edinburgh. went to US instead.

14th July 2009, 22:50	#1
roopakr BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KL-01,KL-07,KA-01 Posts: 135 Thanked: 3 Times View My Garage	Scotland Saga: The 1st Installment One weekend + two cars + eight travellers = an experience to remember The basic idea behind this thread would be to show the unadulterated, authentic natural beauty of the highlands and, of course, the rides that took us places. The journey I had a quick, one-day trip to the Highlands of Scotland once in winter and it was then that I realised how different and beautiful the same places would be in summer. That realisation ignited the idea for this last trip I am sharing with all of your now. The journey of seven adults and one kid began on the morning of the 4th of July, in two hired cars. Cars? Yeah, they were, of course, a major factor of the trip. When the plan includes driving through never-ending roads surrounded by mountains and forests, cars definitely end up being the stars. The ride I couldn’t stop myself from opting for the FIAT Bravo, as soon as I knew I could rent it out. Vauxhall Astra was the other option in the same segment of hatchbacks. It was later after booking the cars that I realised how the cars’ availability depends on the renting location. Since Bravo was not available in the renting location near my place, Volkswagen GOLF and Peugeot 307 were offered as suitable replacements. GOLF would have been a fun car to drive, definitely; but with the experience of having a Peugeot Engine in one of our old Ambassadors in India, I knew the latter was quite powerful and sturdy enough for the trip. As the size of both the hatchbacks was almost same, we decided to opt for the Peugeot. By 10:30 AM, we already had the keys to a Black Astra 1.9cDTi and a silver Peugeot 308 Hdi. The needles cruised till... I was only insured to the Peugeot, so I could drive only it for the entire journey. With the specs in my head, I couldn’t resist pushing the pedals down. These are the speeds that we were able to attain 1) Astra: 100 Mph (161 km/hr) 2) Peugeot: 120 Mph (193 km/hr) I was sure that there was still room for another 30 to 35 mph, if only the speed cameras were not there to warn us. The sights In two days and one night, we visited the following places: 1) Village of Luss 2) Loch Lomond 3) Glencoe 4) Fort Williams 5) Fort Augustus 6) Loch Ness 7) Urquarht Castle 8) Inver Ness To capture these sights and the preserve the moments for posterity, I used my Canon Rebel XS. The trip was fruitful and meaningful, in terms of travel, experience and the enjoyment of being with friends; but words may prove boring for those who have not been there. So, the words end here; the pictures start. (Comments and reviews are entertained.) To start with , snaps from our first stop, The LUSS village (Loch LomonD)
	() Thanks

15th July 2009, 00:32	#2
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 592 Times View My Garage	Good pictures mate. Post pics of the rides as well.
	() Thanks

15th July 2009, 00:44	#3
hillram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,942 Thanked: 1,326 Times View My Garage	During my trip to Inverness,I eagerly awaited the Loch Ness Monster :-) Did you by any chance encounter it?
	() Thanks

15th July 2009, 00:45	#4
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	I guess its just me, but every time I read about a Scottish travelogue, and I see pics of a lake; I begin to look for Nessie! Quite dumb, I know. Interesting pic of the Loch Lomon. What time of the day was this pic taken?
	() Thanks

15th July 2009, 02:22	#5
roopakr BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KL-01,KL-07,KA-01 Posts: 135 Thanked: 3 Times View My Garage	@Milecruncher :- Pics of the rides coming soon. @Hillram :- Yeah found Nessie and fed it as well, LOL. Do you need a pic? @Nitin :- I think it was around 12 , when i clicked these pics.
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 00:06	#6
Fordmanchau Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,666 Thanked: 340 Times	Nice pics of the lake with the cloud hovering over. Awaiting the pics of the car.
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 02:07	#7
roopakr BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KL-01,KL-07,KA-01 Posts: 135 Thanked: 3 Times View My Garage	Rides alone.... The rides that took us places....and some shots of the bikers Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 10:08	#8
Fordmanchau Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,666 Thanked: 340 Times	This is hot stuff roopakr. The wheels look extremely enchanting!! peugeot in particular looks like a Hatchback with a big boot inside.Last foto is awesome, good fotos. keep them coming!!
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 12:22	#9
roopakr BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KL-01,KL-07,KA-01 Posts: 135 Thanked: 3 Times View My Garage	Thanks @ford. Yes peugeot 308's heavy and wide front makes you think that it's a big car with boot.
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 12:32	#10
finneyp Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,716 Thanked: 319 Times View My Garage	Nice pics Roopakr! Love Scotland for its scenic beauty! BTW what cam you have?
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 16:38	#11
roopakr BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KL-01,KL-07,KA-01 Posts: 135 Thanked: 3 Times View My Garage	@finney , I am using a canon rebel xs or also known as eos 1000d. I did mention it in my first post.thanks for the comment
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 18:10	#12
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,235 Thanked: 592 Times View My Garage	The pics are awesome and the rides and the scenery come out really well !!! Some more landscape please I once had the Astra 1.6 coupe with the panoramic windscreen. Awesome car. Also had the Vectra 1.9 cDTi 6 Speed Manual. Awesome car, with good 100 + MPH stability and still returned about 46MPG.
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 19:38	#13
rjstyles69 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bengalooru.. Posts: 4,343 Thanked: 842 Times View My Garage	roopakr lemme guess , this is your 1st travelogue here. Splendid man, you have come out with flying colors. Excellent images and lovely composition.
	() Thanks

16th July 2009, 20:06	#14
roopakr BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KL-01,KL-07,KA-01 Posts: 135 Thanked: 3 Times View My Garage	Riju, Yeah this is my first travelogue and it feels good to hear such a comment from a great photographer
	() Thanks