2015.08.14 UK Day 3

今天原本的行程是从Visitbritain.com订的，跟Haggis Adventures开始的3天苏格兰高地之旅Tour of the Isle of Skye & Scottish Highlands。行程的简介如下：

Day one: Edinburgh to Loch Ness

Departing Edinburgh at 8.45am, you’ll pass through the historic city of Stirling, home to legends such as Robert the Bruce and scene of many of Scotland’s most famous battles in the Wars of Independence. You’ll continue through Glencoe, one of the most hauntingly beautiful places in the Highlands, known as the ‘Weeping Glen’ since the grisly Glencoe massacre of 1692. You’ll pass mighty Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, followed by miles of lush green valleys known as the Great Glen. You’ll arrive at the Highland town of Fort Augustus where your first night is spent on the shores of Loch Ness, at the multi-award winning 4* hostel Morag’s Lodge – praised for its legendary atmosphere and ‘the best showers in the Highlands’!

Day two: Isle of Skye

Today you’ll travel to the ‘Isle of Mist’ – Skye, perhaps the most famous of Scotland’s mystical islands. You’ll spend a day exploring this fairytale land, rich in Celtic myths, ruined castles and completely unspoilt scenery. You’ll visit the stunning Cullin Mountain Range where you can admire the snow-topped peaks and gaze to the dazzling blue waters below. There’s also a chance to take a gentle hike, before you return to the mainland via Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland’s most picture-perfect castle, which sits perched on its own tiny island. You’ll spend your second night back at Morag’s Lodge, for another chance to soak up the friendly Scottish atmosphere.

Day 3: Loch Ness to Edinburgh

Before your journey back south begins, you’ll follow the entire length of Loch Ness, scanning for a priceless glimpse of the legendary beast. You’ll continue on through Inverness, capital of the Highlands, and head for eerieCulloden Moor, site of the bloody Battle of Culloden. With the moor as your wildly beautiful backdrop you’ll hear the moving tales of bloodshed surrounding the passionate uprising of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Heading south, you’ll pass the magnificent cathedral town of Dunkeld before crossing the mighty Forth Bridge – an unforgettable way to exit the Highlands and end a mighty three days of exploration. You’ll arrive back in Edinburgh at around 5pm.

唉，都怪自己没看清楚出发时间，冒着大雨到达旅行社之后，发现大队已经出发半个钟头了！！！我们都傻了眼~旅行团小哥立马帮我们想想办法，一边google map一边看火车票，最后定出的方案是我们自己坐3个半小时火车到Inverness，再换乘大巴到达Fort Augustus，就是当晚原本我们住宿的城市。唉，郁闷。只好立即到火车站买车票出发了！幸亏在火车站买的早餐不错，暖暖的驱走了刚才淋雨的湿气。

经过了才知道厉害的Forth Bridge，兴建于1889年，为世界文化遗产。

隔壁一起旅行的情侣，还有一只很大很乖的大狗，一上车就躲在椅子下面，没出来过，也没有吵闹。他们两人一边坐车一边计划行程，还有自备午餐，橙汁、面包、牛油、果酱、沙拉，装备齐全，让我们很是羡慕！

在英国之旅不停陪伴我们的三文治。

每节车厢的前面有专门停放单车的位置。

一路上的苏格兰田园风光，天气不是太好，阴天

列车上还有推着小食叫卖的小哥，货架上也不忘英式幽默一番。

路途中不时可见的紫色花，原来这是苏格兰的国花——蓟花

维基百科https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%96%8A%E5%B1%AC

经过近4个小时的火车后，到达中途站Inverness。它是苏格兰北部一个城市，也是进入苏格兰高地之前的交通汇聚点。我们要在这里换乘巴士，继续前行。

海鸥又停泊了！

这是个安静却又繁忙的车站，伴随着海鸥和海浪声。

迷人的巴士车头灯，是真的睫毛哦。

途中经过尼斯湖。

差不多1个半小时后，终于到达目的地Fort Augustus奥古斯都堡，是个在尼斯湖旁边静谧的小村，北接尼斯湖，南接Caledonian Canal苏格兰运河。这个小村庄只有几百人定居，经济完全靠旅游业。也是很多英国人开展运河之旅的必经一站。

运河的终点就是尼斯湖。

到了我们住宿的民宿报道之后，我们就到处逛逛吧，反正大队伍还没有回来。小村基本由一条公路分开2边。左边是尼斯湖，右边是运河旁的商店和民宅。我们先往右边走。

色彩鲜艳的小花。

到了酒吧了买个雪糕，兴奋地吃着。

问题来了，究竟是谁设计了这条运河呢？

Caledonian Canal苏格兰运河连接了苏格兰的东北和西南两端，总长约100公里，由工程师Thomas Telford设计建造，只有三分之一的河道是由人工建造的，其余是4个修长的湖泊，Loch Dochfour，Loch Ness，Loch Oich和 Loch Lochy。Loch是苏格兰语，就是英语lake的意思。

宁静的运河两岸。