Our last trip brought as to Inveraray, Glencoe and Oban, and so this time we decided to go further up north to see Fort William and Inverness. We took the familiar route to Glencoe and enjoyed the summer version of the three sisters and the beautiful landscape surrounding it. I caught a glimpse of Glen Orchy and thanks to the map, I didn't allow such must see views to escape my sight.
Just opposite the Glencoe Ski Centre, one particular sight caught my interest. I have seen this before during winter, but it surprised me that looking at it the second time still stored as much passion and interest as before. It was this extraordinary landscape of black soil and white sticks which looked like remains of animal bones all the way across the horizon. Most, it reminded me of the description of the end of time, when people will be resurrected and judged of their deeds. Allahuakbar.
There was no way we were able to stop to snap some pictures as for the narrow and winding road.
Just a further bit up after Fort William, we climbed Ben Nevis (practically no, but technically yes), by a gondola. Clever.
And Why Ben Nevis?
Because it is the highest mountain in the British Isles (at least, according to Wikipedia). For mountain lovers, this is a spot which they must experience, canvassing different view each season.
Inverness- is a city at nearly the very end of the British map, before Stornoway and Shetland. I agree to this because there are indeed big supermarkets around including Morrisons, an airport and other facilities. A Swedish lady I met at our hostel made a point that because of Inverness being populated, it allows people to come and enjoy the Scottish wild landscape, something that is quite hard to do in Sweden - despite of it sharing the same climate. We saw B&Bs all the way and it seems that everybody is making good at tourism.
The best thing about this trip is when I got to tick, scribble and circle the places in my worn map. I believe the road has not changed a lot ever since anyone earlier came to Inverness. I believe that by the time I got the chance to chat with someone I know (who is already now in his 70s), we will still be able to talk about the same route and the same natural view. By the way, I find it still interesting to see the lambs on green patches of grass behave so well. Do they ever move?? I am still eyeing an opportunity to be under a tree, reading my book, with a pencil in my hand, surrounded closely by these beautiful lambs..and of course, a high quality picture of it!
Scotland and Lochs- inseparable. No wonder fishing is the next best thing (if not the best)in Scotland. Different here, you need to get permit for fishing. Hey wait a minute, isn't fish in the sea/ lake a common heritage, at least for residents? Perhaps they have environmental or regulatory explanations for this, as how feeding wild ducks are not allowed fearing it may be overpopulated (according to some). Kita orang Melayu main bantai je, itik belakang rumah sumbatlah apa pun, semuanya makan. Atau mungkin tidak ada statistik pembiakan itik di Malaysia?
Our journey concluded itself with another stroll 'in' the magestic view of Aviemore and Craingorm. It is as if we were transformed into a beautiful Aviemore postcard, or the other way around - postcards made real. So beautiful it was, I couldn't imagine how beautiful it must be in winter, but to drive on this narrow slope,it could be a nightmare in snow and possible avalanche! Just don't forget that last year was the worst snow in yeeeaars!
Reflection-
The experience was incredible,Masha Allah. We were walking around God's earth exactly on the pillars. Had not Allah created the mountains to hold the earth firm?
Should we not reflect the Quranic verse (Surah An-Naba' verse 7) that the mountains were erected as pillars? This quranic message sent shudders to me, reminding me how fragile the earth is, if Allah wills to take them down. (Surah Al-Zalzalah).
