UNITED KINGDOM - Scotland

Location - Western Europe; Capital - Scotland - Edinburgh; Population - Scotland - 5.2 million; Currency - Pound Sterling MORE UK - SCOTLAND

Amber weather warnings in the highlands meant I cancelled the Skye ferry and took the bus to Glen Coe, just south of Fort William - May 2016.

England and Wales discontinued the £1 note many years ago, but Scotland still has them

Glen Coe is an area for walking and hiking through the highland valleys near Fort William, glen being the Scottish term for valley

As with most trekking experiences it's much better on a sunny day! This attractive section is Glencoe Lochan, an artificial lake only 15/20mins walk from the village of Glen Coe

Snow-capped mountains always look evocative - Glen Coe

The hub of mountain climbing, trekking and walking in the highlands is Fort William, set in the shadow of Ben Nevis

On a clear day a boat cruise on Loch Linnhe is a great way of getting the perfect view of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis - Fort William

Ben Nevis rises above the outskirts of Fort William

Ben Nevis stands 1,346m tall and is climbed by a huge 100,000 visitors a year - Fort William

And in the original of this photo you can see over 20 of those climbers on the snow capped peak - Fort William

The train ride from Fort William west to Mallaig is known as one of the most beautiful journeys in Britain. Here the train skirts Loch Eil, with Ben Nevis as a backdrop - Fort William

The Glenfinnan viaduct ride is famous as a setting in the Harry Potter films - Fort William to Mallaig

Shortly after Glenfinnan a gorgeous loch and valley reveals itself - Fort William to Mallaig

Mirror images on a still loch - Fort William to Mallaig

For that extra Harry Potter experience a steam train also makes the 1.5hr journey - Fort William to Mallaig

Mallaig is a port on the north west coast and the ferry gateway to Skye, as well as the small islands of Eigg and Rum

A hazy view of Skye across the waters of the Sound of Sleat - Mallaig

Another scenic glen a short walk from Fort William is Glen Nevis

It's (literally) the gateway to ascents of Ben Nevis - Glen Nevis

One of the Ben Nevis trails begins opposite the visitor centre - Glen Nevis

Ben Nevis is also one hurdle in the Three Peaks Challenge, where the three highest mountains in each of Scotland, England and Wales are climbed in 24hrs - Glen Nevis

The waterfront at Oban, 1.5hrs by bus south west of Fort William

McCaig's Tower is a 19th century folly giving great views of Oban

Take in the panoramic scene at McCaig's Tower. On the left is Pulpit Hill, rolling down to the ferry terminal and Oban Bay, which is protected by the long, thin island of Kerrera. Behind Kerrera is the Isle of Mull with a distant mainland (or Lismore island?) on the right - Oban

Oban Bay and Kerrera, with the mountains of Mull rising behind - Oban

Ferries connect Oban with the islands of Mull, Colonsay, Uist, Lismore, Coll, Barra and Tiree

Upside legs wearing wellies, of course! Oban

Mural outside a shop on the way down from McCaig's Tower - Oban

Little and large. A CalMac ferry passes canoeists near Dunollie Castle - Oban

The sun sets behind Kerrera - Oban

A beautiful sunset on the calm waters of Oban Bay - Oban

Mull and Kerrera islands - Oban

The bus ride south east from Oban to Loch Lomond passes Loch Fyne at Inveraray

Inveraray Castle is the seat of the Duke of Argyll, the chief of the Clan Campbell - Inveraray

Shortly after Loch Fyne the road winds down through Glen Croe

If you want to visit a picturesque village on the shore of Loch Lomond then choose Luss over the tourist centre of Balloch

When the coach tours disappear Luss has an idyllic setting on Loch Lomond

In season boat cruises are available to the lake's islands - Luss, Loch Lomond

It was a blue sky day with temperatures in the 20s, perfect for a sunbathe (with the ducks) on the lakeshore - Luss, Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is the largest lake in Britain, though Loch Ness is the largest by water volume - Luss, Loch Lomond

I planned to take a boat to Balloch on the lake's southern tip but it didn't turn up, so it was a bus jobby instead - Luss, Loch Lomond

The Maid of the Loch is a vintage paddle steamer open to the public - Balloch

Boats docked along the River Leven near the train station - Balloch

Stirling is an attractive historic university town and a great base for exploring central Scotland

The Old Town Cemetery with the 15th/16th century Church of the Holy Rude hiding behind the trees - Stirling

It's strange to see a big pyramid in the cemetery (unless you're in Egypt/Sudan of course!) The Star Pyramid is dedicated to martyrs in the name of religious freedom in Scotland - Stirling

Standing on top of a hill above the cemetery, and the whole city for that matter, is Stirling Castle - Stirling

The castle walls provide quality views of the city below - Stirling

A cannon points towards the National Wallace Monument on the hill - Stirling

The rooms of the Royal Palace have been fully restored, including the Queen's Inner Hall - Stirling

Look upwards to spot King James V who reigned Scotland in the 16th century - Stirling

The National Wallace Monument stands above the city on Abbey Craig, with the Ochil Hills behind - Stirling

17th century Cowane's Hospital served as an almshouse and is now an arts venue and cafe - Stirling

I'd say the legendary Rob Roy is the inspiration for Groundskeeper Willie of The Simpsons. On the undiscovered scotland website Rob Roy, born in 1671, is described as a 'soldier, businessman, cattle-rustler and outlaw, but above all a folk hero' - Stirling

The Old Stirling Bridge is near the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, where Scottish forces under William Wallace and Andrew Moray defeated the English in 1297 - Stirling

At the peak of Mote Hill is the Beheading Stone, a medieval execution block, again with the National Wallace Monument visible - Stirling

The National Wallace Monument is dedicated to William Wallace, leader of the First War of Scottish Independence - Stirling

William Wallace was born in 1270 and died a national hero in 1305. His story was told in Mel Gibson's 1995 film Braveheart - Stirling

Climb the steps of the monument tower and take in the 360° views of Stirling

The River Forth winds its way through the Forth Valley - Stirling

On display in the tower is a sword belonging to Wallace - Stirling

On the slopes of Abbey Craig are a few walking trails radiating from the monument with great views of the Forth River and Stirling Castle - Stirling

Sitting on another hill a few kms away is Stirling Castle - Stirling

There's also great views from right outside the monument, taking in the River Forth and the Forth Valley with Stirling Castle and the city below - Stirling

The historic site of Bannockburn is a 15min bus ride from Stirling, dedicated to the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, where the Scots - led by Robert the Bruce - defeated the English during the First War of Scottish Independence

Robert the Bruce was the King of Scotland (or King of Scots) between 1306 and 1329 - Bannockburn, Stirling

One more look at Stirling Castle rising above the Forth Valley, as seen from Bannockburn, Stirling

Website and content Copyright © 2008-2017 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.

LINKS

www.visitscotland.com - Scotland tourist board

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

www.travelinescotland.com - public transport info for Scotland

www.visitbritain.com - Britain's official tourism website

www.britainexpress.com

www.thetrainline.com - train information across Britain

www.nationalexpress.com - National Express coaches cover Britain

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.