JASPER AND TOMMY'S ADVENTURES IN SCOTLAND

Jasper the Springador (English Springer Spaniel / Labrador) and Tommy the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, are frequently off on their adventures around Scotland. This blog details what they get up to! Hopefully, it will give readers some inspiration as to different places and walking routes in Scotland that they may like to visit. It will also perhaps appeal to those with an interest in these fantastic dog breeds and in the majesty of Scotland's wonderful scenery.

Tuesday 25 July 2023

The West Highland Way North (part 5)-Glencoe Mountain Resort to The Devil's Staircase, Highland

Jasper enjoying quite a dramatic section of The West Highland Way! (click / tap to enlarge)

Last week, we completed another leg of our ongoing West Highland Way (WHW) walks, picking up from where we left off in part 4 of the northern section. Our route took us from Glencoe Mountain Resort up to the start of the Devil's Staircase section. It's quite a striking part of the WHW, with the towering munro of Buachaille Etive Mor dominating the landscape. The walk is a fairly moderate there and back route of approximately 4.5 miles each way, with about 300m of gradual ascent in total. The paths are quite rocky in places however and walking boots are recommended. Take particular care on the road to / from the mountain resort and where the path crosses and passes close to the fast main A82 road.

There is ample parking at Glencoe Mountain Resort, where you will also find a café and toilets. There are no formal parking charges but there is an honesty box with a suggested donation of £2 per day. You will find another food / drink / toilet stop at the Kingshouse Hotel, where they have outdoor dog friendly seating. Link to the start location and a map of the route can be found at the end of the article. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge. Information is current as of our last visit in July 2023.

Here are the photo highlights.

The pretty Blackrock Cottage on the way out from the mountain resort

Looking out towards Buachaille Etive Mor near Glencoe Mountain Resort

Tommy finding it hard to keep still for a photo as usual! Near Kingshouse Hotel

Tommy manages to oblige us with a pose against the mountain backdrop!

Tommy heads off into the magnificent landscape. If you enlarge the photo, you might spot Jasper exploring in the distance.

Jasper's sniffing out a new scent trail to follow, as Buachaille Etive Mor looms beyond

The scenery along this stretch is impressive even on a cloudy day

The end of our walk at the start of the Devil's Staircase section

A short detour to the road to get a snap of the lonely Lagangarbh Hut before heading back

Another shot of Buachaille Etive Mor on the return journey

The path back to Kingshouse Hotel with the A82 to the right

Route overview (click / tap to enlarge)

Route detail - part 1 of 3

Route detail - part 2 of 3

Route detail - part 3 of 3

Link to parking / start of walk at Glencoe Mountain Resort on Google Maps

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.

Sunday 9 July 2023

Glamis Castle, Angus

Tommy enjoying the regal surroundings of Glamis Castle! (click / tap to enlarge)

We recently spent a very pleasant afternoon wandering the gardens and grounds of Glamis Castle (pronounced Glaamz by the way). Glamis was the family home of the Queen Mother and has been in the Lyon (latterly Boyes-Lyon) family since the 14th century. The estate is currently in the hands of the controversial figure Simon Bowes-Lyon, 19th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne.

We didn't visit the castle itself; obviously dogs are not permitted inside. Dogs are allowed on lead throughout the extensive gardens and grounds however. Attractions include an Italian Garden, Walled Garden, an interesting little family pet cemetery and some Highland Cattle too. There's also a Macbeth trail with some intricate carved wooden statues, a nod to the connection that the castle has with Shakespeare's play. If you fancy a bite or a cuppa, there's a lovely café / restaurant with plenty of outside dog friendly seating. The gift shop is also worth a wander around.

Tickets for the grounds and gardens are £7.50 (castle tickets cost £16 and include grounds/gardens). Further information can be found on the Glamis Castle website. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge. Information is current as of our last visit in July 2023.

Here are some photo highlights:

Glamis Castle

King Charles snapped running away from King Charles

Tommy and Jasper briefly pose at the Italian Garden before embarking on their next mischief making adventure!

Jasper in the Italian Garden

Princess Margaret Memorial

A couple of Heilan Coos!

Fantastic wooden carvings along the Macbeth Trail

Tommy plotting with some new friends that he seems to have made along the Macbeth Trail!

The Walled Garden

Tommy and Jasper looking very pleased with themselves at the Walled Garden

Tommy at the Walled Garden

A last view of the castle before we head off

Friday 7 July 2023

A few odd photos from June 2023

Here are a few photos from last month that didn't make it into any of the other articles.

Enjoy!

A Tommy perch at Loch Ard, Trossachs

Jasper loves anything to do with water! Loch Ard.

Jasper splashing along the Loch Ard shore!

Pretty doorways of the historic cottages at Culross, Fife

Statues at the base of the Sir George Bruce Memorial, Culross Abbey

Barrels at the Speyside Cooperage, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire

The A92 at Glen Shee, Cairngorms

Not a bad spot to sit and contemplate (weather permitting)! Devil's Elbow, Cairngorms

Clackmannan Church

Some very old graves at Clackmannan Church

The 14th century Clackmannan Tower

Jasper and Tommy at Clackmannan Tower

View of the Ochils from Clackmannan Tower

Wednesday 5 July 2023

The West Highland Way South (part 2)-Carbeth to Dumgoyne, Stirling

The view towards Dumgoyne along the West Highland Way (click / tap to enlarge)

As mentioned in part 1, we are gradually walking the West Highland Way (WHW) in two main sections: the south section from the start at Milngavie to Bridge of Orchy and the north section from Bridge of Orchy to Fort William. Here is part 2 of the south section, which takes us from Carbeth to the Glengoyne Distillery at Dumgoyne. It's a pretty easy route, covering approximately 3.5 miles each way.

Our walk starts at the St Mocha Coffee Drive Thru which is a great place for a cuppa and a bite and they have lots of outside seating. The route takes us through the colourful and vibrant hutting community of Carbeth. Established in 1918, there are now 168 huts in the community. You can find out more about the community on their website here. Beyond the huts, we re-join the WHW where we left off in part 1. The walk continues on, taking in some lovely views, until we reach the end of this part of the WHW at Glengoyne Distillery.

Watch out for traffic along the road sections and keep an eye out for cyclists along the WHW. Also check for ticks, as dogs (and humans too) might pick up the occasional hitchhiker! A map of the route can be found at the end of the article, along with a link to the start / parking location. Information is current as of our last visit in June 2023. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge.

Here are the photo highlights: