Harry Potter Railway, Da Vinci Church and Loch Ness Monster

If you visit Scotland after visiting England, you will be struck not only by the beautiful scenery but also by the ever-present smiles on almost everyone you meet. Scotland has many cities and towns and villages worth a visit but a visit to Inverness is exceptional. In this small town, you can enjoy visiting many famous sites that evoke a number of legends and mysteries. My short visit to Inverness for Harry Potter Railway, Da Vinci Church and Loch Ness Monster was enhanced by my stay at one of the top B&B or Bed and Breakfast establishments in Europe, rated among the top ten on this continent.

If you want to relax, there is lots of read in terms of magazines and books. If you want to go out, during the day, there is plenty to see and do. We were given a wonderful briefing on the Loch Ness Monster by an old timer who  advised that the best place to try and see the monster is a village nearby called Drumnadrochit that has a couple of museums devoted to it and sells souvenirs about it.

Drumnadrochit lies at the head of Urquhart Bay on Loch Ness and is the centre of the Loch Ness Monster industry in Scotland: but that did not put us off. It can seem a little crowded and commercialised as we drove through, but we were pleasantly surprised. The village is home to two competing exhibitions devoted to the beast first reported by St Columbia in the 6th Century, and since the 1930s the subject of various fuzzy pictures and films.

With tongue in cheek, he said that the best time to go is just before sunset after a couple of whiskeys and then you may well see it! He also wondered how these monster sightings always surface in the media just before the peak holiday season! We decided to take him on his word and found a very peaceful lake with a stunning view as many tourist laden boats plied up and down for a look at the elusive creature that remained out of sight.

The church of the famous book and film “Da Vinci Code” is close by and so is the famous Jacobian steam railway made famous in a Harry Potter film. We went on a 45-mile drive north-west of Fort William, the port of Mallaig on the rugged west coast of Scotland which is the ideal base from which to explore all the magnificent scenery of the area, This is a route steeped in history where Bonnie Prince Charlie found safety and security in this lovely area of the Scottish Highlands from sandy beaches to dramatic hills – green woodlands, heather moors, unforgettable views with magnificent sunsets over the Isles. On the way back, a fascinating experience was watching a big boat step down to the lake level with the help of ‘locks’.

In addition to the quiet dignity of a traditionally furnished house, the B&B establishment I stayed in,Traffodbank, has a vibrancy that elevates your mood. After staying there for a couple of nights, one wonders where it comes from.

Looking over the impeccably selected furniture and furnishings exuding the old world charm, the drapes and carpets, the lights and fittings; it suddenly strikes you that the modern paintings with bright colours and bold lines provide the energy for this highly rated and acclaimed accommodation. Every room has a couple of them providing a visual contrast to the furnishings and a delight to behold. Then there are some sculptures that provide a touch of exotica ranging from African flamingos to Oriental objects d’art. The other aspect that impresses one is the eco-friendly touches: the specially eco-friendly foods fresh from the farm, special soaps and above all, the re-cycling of waste.

It has all been carefully put together by the owners, Lorraine and Koshal Pun, who welcome all guests with a quiet charm and serve breakfasts for every individual taste. Breakfasts have become a major event of this establishment to provide a hearty start for the day. As a vegetarian, I had no problem to enjoy a sumptuous morning meal.

Frequently, there is a mini celebration as many come to get married in Inverness at the town Registrar with bagpipers in kilts and make sure that they stay at this guest house for added fun. I found a small marriage party from Germany, the groom in kilts and the bride in a flowing dress, livening up the evening on their return from dinner. Every evening, after a delightful dinner at one of many restaurants in Inverness, we collapsed into our snug beds at Traffordbank with the anticipation of another memorable breakfast.

Editor, Author, Special Correspondent, Publisher, Media Consultant, Kul Bhushan has travelled to over 50 countries. He has worked as a Business Editor in a major newspaper and for a UN agency. He specialises in writing on NRI (Non Resident Indians) affairs. He has authored 26 books.A disciple of the enlightened master, Osho. For more of his articles, visit www.kulbhushan.net

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