SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS TOURS

We went to Scotland for New Years Eve celebration but before New Years Eve, we went for a two days highlands tour. I swear two days wasn't enough. How we wished we did five days instead of two. There were a lot of places worth exploring for in the highlands. We wanna go back someday. 

These are some of the photos I took with my phone only. I dont have a lot of photos because it was so cold and i dont feel like taking a lot of pictures. My photos dont do the justice of these beautiful sceneries. You should see it yourself :) SCOTLAND IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

Fort Williams

Invermoriston Bridge

Day 1

Head into the Highlands...

Leaving Scotland's capital city Edinburgh behind us we first join with our fellow travellers from Glasgow, Scotland's largest city with a population of approximately 600,000 people. That's over 100,000 more than Edinburgh. The first leg of our journey north takes us in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park to the quaint village of Luss on the western banks of Loch Lomond, best known as a haven for wildlife and stunning flowers, so keep your eyes peeled. You can wander the shore, walk past pretty cottages and do a bit of shopping here if you like.

Experience the Great Glen & Glen Coe...

As we travel further into the Highlands, we visit Glen Coe, one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. Feel the past come to life as your guide tells you about the terrible massacre of the MacDonald clan. We then depart Glen Coe via the Great Glen, another one of Scotland's majestic valleys which stretches 62 miles from Inverness all the way to Fort William. 

See the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis... 

Fort William, the second largest town in the Highlands, lies in the shadow of Ben Nevis. At an impressive 1,345m tall, this is Britain's tallest mountain. Over 100,000 people climb Ben Nevis annually often as part of the 3 Peaks Challenge, making it a very popular mountain! Your driver-guide will decide the best spot for lunch depending on your group, weather and local events. 

Glenfinnan Viaduct and Monument...

Our journey will continue west to Glenfinnan, made famous by the Harry Potter films which feature the iconic Viaduct. In the summer months, you may catch a glimpse of this magical train crossing the Viaduct and you can image Harry, Ron and Hermione on their way to Hogwarts. Glenfinnan is also home to the impressive Glenfinnan Monument. Surrounded by spectacular Highland scenery at the head of Loch Shiel, the monument is a striking tribute to those who fought in the Jacobite Risings.

Overnight: Near Loch Ness

Day 2

 Go Monster Hunting on Loch Ness...

After a delicious Scottish breakfast, you have time to explore the Loch Ness, Britain's largest body of water by volume. More impressive is the fact that all lakes and rivers of England and Wales could fit in with room to spare! The size and depth of the loch make it a perfect hiding place for Nessie, the famous monster. Why not take a boat tour* from Urquhart Castle*, a ruined castle perched on the edge of Loch Ness or monster hunt from the shore?

Through Inverness to Culloden Battlefield...

We then drive through Inverness, the capital of the Highlands to visit Culloden*, last stand of the Jacobites against the British government forces. With estimated casualties between 1,500 and 2,000 from a battle that lasted less than 1 hour, it was one of the quickest and bloodiest battles in Scottish history and it changed the Scottish Highlands forever. A visit to the battlefield is a poignant experience, you can walk the earth where the battle took place and see the headstones that mark the graves of hundreds of clansmen who gave their lives for the Jacobite cause.

The Cairngorm National Park and a Highland Whisky...

Then we'll travel south and enjoy the stunning scenery as we pass through the unique wilderness of the  Cairngorms, Scotland's largest National Park. Its mountain range has five of the UK's highest mountains within its limits. Venturing further south through the Highlands, we'll stop for a visit at one of Scotland's many distilleries. You'll   discover   how whisky is produced and try a dram of our national drink.

Homeward Bound...

Before returning to Scotland's capital Edinburgh, we will make one last stop at a beautiful Highland town, chosen by your driver-guide. (By highland experience tours)

For more info please visit Highland Experience Tours. It was such a fun and memorable experience. Our tour guide? he's awesome :)

Lake Mcdonald - Glacier National Park

I was a lil bit sad when we visited this lake because the weather that time wasnt good. It was gloomy and its raining a lot. Taking photo is so hard, i need sun so the color will be vibrant hehe. Still we tried to enjoy the visit. This lake is so beautiful, if only its summer i would definitely go for a dip and enjoy but haha it was freezing cold. Here's some of the photos i took. 

Lake Mcdonald 

This last photo has a lil bit of a sunshine, its right before we leave the sun shine just a lil bit. :) 

Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. It is located at 48°35′N 113°55′W in Flathead County in the U.S. state of Montana. Lake McDonald is approximately 10 miles (16 km) long, and over a mile (1.6 km) wide and 472 feet (130 m) deep, filling a valley formed by a combination of erosion and glacial activity. Lake McDonald lies at an elevation of 3,153 feet (961 m) and is on the west side of the Continental Divide. The Going-to-the-Sun Road parallels the lake along its southern shoreline. The surface area of the lake is 6,823 acres (27.6 km²).

The lake is home to numerous native species of trout, and other game fish. Catchable species include, but are not limited to - westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, bull trout (char), lake trout (char), Lake Superior whitefish, mountain whitefish, kokanee salmon (landlocked sockeye), and suckers. However, the lake is nutrient-poor and is not considered a prime fishing destination. Grizzly bears, black bear, moose, and mule deer are found in many places near the lake but are most common on the north shore. The lake is surrounded by a dense coniferous forest dominated by various species of spruce, fir, and larch.

At the westernmost section of the lake in Apgar there is a National Park Service visitor center with limited lodging and dining facilities. Lake McDonald Lodge is the largest lodging facility on the lake and is approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) east along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The lodge was constructed in 1913-14 to resemble a rustic hunting lodge with Swiss-influenced architecture.

McDonald Creek flows into and drains from the lake, and empties into the Middle Fork Flathead River shortly after. (Wiki)