Pandemic lockdown in Scotland is easing and I’m back on the road!
Well, it has certainly been an interesting time since I left for Europe on March 1, 2020. After three unexpected months in Portugal, being detained and questioned in London by Border Control for 45 minutes, 2 weeks of mandatory quarantine in Edinburgh, then 3 more weeks just waiting for Scotland to open, I am back on the road!
This morning, I picked up my rented camper van, Kryptonite, and headed from Edinburgh up into the Highlands.With the lockdown easing and foreign travel discouraged, many of the UK residents who would normally have gone abroad are going camping instead. As a result, I couldn’t get a site in Inverness until tomorrow. So I drove up into the Cairngorm National Park and found a little village called Carrbridge where I can spend the night.
Carrbridge is a little village with a shop, cafe, petrol station (which is good because I’m on fumes), and a hotel that is currently closed. There was a bakery, but it’s closed as well. However, tiny as it is, Carrbridge boasts the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands. Dating to 1717, the bridge was used for pack horses to cross the Dulnain River and is one of the reasons I wanted to visit. Isn’t it charming?
I had to be out of my flat early this morning and I hadn’t eaten since about 4 yesterday so I was a bit peckish, as they’d say over here. Like many of us, it feels odd after so many months to be able to go into a place to eat. But the Carrbridge Kitchen is doing it right. Masks on when you enter and sanitize your hands, please. Tables removed so that everyone is spaced 2 meters (just over 6 feet) apart, and staff all masked. The cafe is mostly soup and sandwich stuff but with some twists. I ordered the Chorizo and Black Pudding Burger. If you are not familiar with black pudding, it’s basically a sausage made with blood and a Scottish favorite. I know that sounds gross, but it kind of grows on you and I really like it. It was delicious!
Tomorrow, I only have a short drive up to Inverness where I will stock up and get familiar with this camper before I begin the 516 mile route that is the North Coast 500. I am so excited to no longer be in a flat and back into nature!
Stay safe y’all! I’ll post soon!
Amanda
12 Comments
DL Mac
You are some kind of adventurous Amanda. Forget the fact you’re travelling Europe solo during a Pandemic, the topper is you ordered Black Pudding Burger. I admire your courage.
Thanks for the update! Happy trails!
DL
restlessnative365
Haha! Thanks! Fine line between courage and crazy 😁 It certainly has been interesting. Thanks for reading!!
Ray LaCroix
Take lots of pictures, for those of us who are living vicariously through you!
restlessnative365
Will do! Thanks for coming along!
Cindy Darling
Wishing you Good food, fun times, great travels!
restlessnative365
Thanks!!!!
Jasper & Maggie
Good Morning Sunshine 🤗 WOW… What an Adventure! OMG 😱 You found that little Over Night Park & The Carrbridge Kitchen. I am very impressed at the little Old 1717 Stone Bride. My very First Thought was… If that Bridge could Talk? What Memorial Stories Could Be Told. Safe Travels & Happy Camping Amanda… 😷 👍🏻 🐶
restlessnative365
So true! The stories it could tell! Thanks!
Robyn
Wow, what adventures you are having! Be safe, enjoy the people and the culture. You can make the best of any situation. Love hearing about your travels😃
restlessnative365
Thanks! I’m so glad you are following along! 🙂
Pat
Spaceships and Kyptonite…that doesn’t sound Scottish. Give a hug to the hairy coos!
Pat
restlessnative365
Love those cows! I’ll post just for you!