Scotland Camping Trip – Photos
Back at the start of May 2023 we took a short camping trip with a friend. We brought along a camera and turned the adventure into a little vlog which we posted a while ago. You can watch it here in the MLT Club!
Of course, we also took a lot of photos and it’s taken us a while to get around to sorting through them and getting them ready to share! We love documenting our various trips with photo posts here in the MLT club, even if just for the selfish reason that we can look at the photo archive at the end of the year and reminisce about all the good times and adventures we got up to! 🙂
So, we hope you enjoy today’s photos all taken during our first ever time in Scotland. Featuring: The Lake District (North West England), Loch Lomond (Scotland) and of course the beautiful city of Edinburgh!
Stay groovy,
Mona & Lisa
Those were all wonderful photos! They reminded me of my 2 brief trips thru Scotland. And I have some of that ancestry too on my mom’s side — the MacKay Clan. I went to Edinburgh Castle twice, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, etc. But I think you two saw more of Scotland than I did. Good for you! Maybe I’ll make it back some day! I regret not seeing the Tatoo at the Castle.
Cheers! — Bud
Your pics bring back a lot of my own memories of Scotland.
I was a Kiwi boy working as a motorcycle courier in London back in ’84 &’85 taking holidays as often as I could afford and one such trip was a ride to the north. Up the west, Isle of Skye, Loch Lomond, Loch Long, Glasgow, a northward loop to Edinburgh and south on the east side.
Those ever present clouds very much did rain and snow on everyone including me, my tent and motorcycle. What a cold ride. My body burned a week’s worth of food to stay warm for a day.
But there was sunshine and warmth too. It came from the people I met and the log fires in country pubs. Because I camped so much, I had a little money to spend on one or sometimes two hot meals in a warm place on any given day.
So many times, local people wouldn’t let a lone(and wet) biker pay for his meal. (This happened a lot in France too).
Once upon a rainy day, I found myself eating alone, which was unusual. When I had nearly finished my meal and half pint of beer, a man asked me if I was going to have a chaser for that? Of course, I had to ask, “What’s a chaser?” He didn’t explain; he demonstrated by buying me a shot of whiskey (neat, no ice) and lightly banging it down on the table beside my beer. Kinda obvious, when you think about it. And yes, it did go down rather well.
Then the debate started………..
Someone asked which particular drop of whiskey I’d been given. Someone else insisted that such and such was more suitable so a glass of that was produced and it was pretty good too. But that wasn’t good enough for another farmer who then suggested that I try his favourite and so it went on.
At some point, someone asked where I was going and where I planned to stay. Truthfully, I told them that I would find somewhere to hide myself and my tent. Someone else suggested that it might be a good idea to eat some more before venturing out into the clag so another meal arrived at a table and my devouring of it was closely scrutinized and assisted with more beer and more chasers.
By this time, it was getting a wee bit dark and I was not entirely in control of my faculties. Let’s say that I was in no fit state for riding a motorcycle or pitching a tent in any weather… Or to put it another way, I was spastic drunk and as full as the last bus.
Solution! “You can lay in my barn!”, said one of the protagonists. Perfect.
Myself, my new host and another assistant staggered and wobbled and pushed my loaded bike unsteadily away into the darkness and the wetness. The bikes headlight helped a little with navigation if not for balance……
For some strange and unaccountable reason, I don’t remember arriving at any farm or of getting into my sleeping bag on that lovely bed of dry straw. Weird.
But I very much do remember being wakened on said bed a little before sunrise by a somewhat distressed farmer’s wife desperate to apologize for her “foolish man” not inviting me into the “Hoose”. Her remedy for his mistake was to insist that I, “come in to, waarum yer bones and ha’e some breakfast”. Knowing that it would be impolite of me to refuse, I agreed.
So, after porridge, eggs, bacon, sausage, tea and hugs and thank yous, I was on my way. Only half a day behind a non existent schedule. No problem at all.
As I hummed my way through hills and valleys green, I couldn’t help being mildly concerned for my host, snoring at full speed as he undoubtedly was in order to be well rested and ready for a hangover that might have been visible from the moon, obscuring more of Scotland than the fog that surrounded me. Would he survive it? Or the berating from his good lady? I still wonder to this day.
I also wonder if Scotland is still like that. Is it?
I wonder how the world would look if everyone lived and loved like that.
If good people just did what good people do.
If they or we would just ignore the politicians and the policies and rules supplied by those who buy them. Would anybody buy them if we all ignored them? What price would they fetch? I hope not much.
I seem to remember a story about a bloke named Hadrian. He was pretty powerful but he couldn’t conquer the Highlands. He had to build a wall to keep marauding Picts out of his corner of the Roman Empire.
What if there was a little William Wallace or Braveheart (if you prefer) in every one of us? What if we were collectively quietly, kindly and happily ungovernable? Would the world be a better place by lunchtime tomorrow? And Getting Better all the time?
Aaaahhhhhh; Scotland The Brave, The Bleak, The Warm and The Welcoming. Loveyoulongtime!
Hey Mona, Lisa……..
It only took a few photos of wild places and old buildings to trigger a grubby old biker’s memory and inspire a short spurt of writing.
Thank you.
Loveyoulongtime too. 🙂
Ian, that was quite a story you told here! The fact is that NOT being rich makes us travel closer to the ground and we connect more with the local people. I was also able to stay with new friends I’d met on my first big European trip in Paris, England & Germany. And I met nice folks everywhere I went. We have to cherish those memories! (I couldn’t drink like you did back then anymore though — Holy Bat Man!)
Ciao! — Bud
I wouldn’t attempt drinking like that anymore either.
Scotland was quite the ride. This was just ONE story from that trip.
A Scotsman in Australia asked me if I would ever go back. I told him, “Yep; when you make Glasgow and international airport and rebuild Hadrian’s Wall”. He laughed so hard that I would have to administer CPR!
Ian, Good joke! Yeah, when we were younger, we might have done crazy drinking things like that. But then time & wisdom catches up to us! I was told by someone that I had to try some Scotch called “Old Sheep Dip.” (I just looked it up.) I tried it but ended up with a headache after a few drinks of this and that. Ahh, live & learn.
I did walk about a mile or so on Hadrian’s Wall. It’s barren, but beautiful up there! I have some Scottish ancestry, but I’m more “Euro–Blend!”
I’ll be gone for a week on a trip, so I won’t be on this site.
Take care, keep the MLT Dream alive, and Cheers! — Bud
Yes, time is indeed catching up; wisdom, I’m not entirely sure. That’s a work in progress.
While the drinking stories can be fun, the moral of my little story was of the kindness of strangers and of being that kind stranger whenever we can.
I find this kindness pretty much anywhere I go but if I ask myself where it really shone, some places stand out. So far, I would list Scotland, Wales, Spain and Brasil.
I found the landscape in Scotland varied wildly; barren heather, lush pasture, lush forest (mostly in sheltered valleys), mist over any of it, then the icy, arctic blast to blow it away. Bleak to no end. You don’t notice it quite so intensely in a car, bus or train!
But these are ‘thin’ and beautiful places and I couldn’t be unhappy there. The girls’ photos brought so much back that I can feel it. Well done Mona and Lisa!
Great batch of photos!! You do have an eye for taking really spectacular pictures. In the General Discussion area I recently posted a photo of me sitting on that very same elephant Spring of 2022. You two look great in that pic and I do 2nd or third the nomination for that pic to be in the 2024 calendar!!!
Great pictures despite the weather. Pity you could not make it up Calton Hill as you can get classic Edinburgh views up there (and even see my house on a clear day!!). Also not good weather for climbing Arthurs Seat and probably a bit muddy too. Glad you had a good time and I did see some sunshine on some of the days.
Agree with all the sentiments about the pictures and the picture-taking abilities but I have a question. Someone mentioned ‘picture #X and also picture #Y’ and I am just not finding numbers anywhere! What am I missing?
Peter, that’s probably referring to the number at the end of the URL address that you see at the top of the page when you click on a picture.
Super photographs – some very atmospheric shots with the mist and light contrasts. Where will our intrepid twins venture next?
As usual spectacular photos! Always love looking at your photographic handy work!
Three images: the lone duck on the water, all shades of grey with the sunlit sky, mountains and water
The Church with sinuous lavender purple vine against the ancient structure
Portrait Mona and Lisa sitting with the bronze elephant.
A great trip, for sure, many thanks
Keep on running between sets in the studio
Great photos – fun and interesting. Super framing and composition, too. Thanks for sharing these!
Scotland was lucky to have your smiles lighting the countryside. We love the pic of you two on the footbridge. We were wondering if your friend took the pictures of the two of you. They all look great. These would be great for a marketing campaign to attract tourists.
Love,
Marlo & JP
I’m so glad they can take a trip without being mobbed by the paparazzi because their music is that good.
Beautiful pictures.
Who doesn’t want to look at there vacation pictures to keep those memories a live.
Very cool.
I’ve been to some pretty cool places in my long life so far, but I know I can’t see them all. I’m pretty sure I’ll never get to see many of the places you’ve been, but you do a great job of showing me those places, and you seem to pick the areas I would want to visit. Thanks for taking MLT Club along.
I thought the storm picture #10399 was a great artsy shot, and I also liked #10389 (Twins on the footbridge). You are so photogenic and you are also great on the other side of the camera.
Very nice pictures, I would like to visit that area sometime.
Thanks for showing us around, always enjoy your adventures outdoors.
Btw I embraced my Scottish heritage. I have a kilt, I have worn it to some Highlander Games here in the US.
In Clan Johnstone colors of course.
Thanks for the photos and the pretty scenery.
I don’t think anyone mentioned that today July 7th is Ringo’s 83rd Birthday. The guy who got a very lucky break when the Beatles fired Pete Best. Pete will be 82 on my BD, November 24th.
Hope you all have a cool weekend.
Bobby S. 🧛♂️😎🧛♂️
Thanks for the photo journey. If you guys ever decide you need some mad money, convert some of the photos into postcard. And sell them the tourist. lol. I like the one with the guy in the kilt playing the bagpipe. Then next photo another guy in a kilt is checking his cell phone. Blows my image of a Scottish highlander. Peace be.
I love being able to see you pictures from your adventures! Just another reason to belong to the MLT Club. We are all so spoiled by your generosity! Thank you for posting!!! Great pictures…as always.
Beautiful! I’m really surprised that you had never been to Scotland before. But maybe that’s just my American perspective on travel distance: you don’t really feel you’ve left home until you’re at least a couple of hours away.
I love that you “love documenting our various trips with photo posts here in the MLT club”! Scotland is such a mystical place, and one I enjoy seeing and learning about. Thank you for the tour! Your smiles make even gloomy skies feel warm and inviting. Can’t wait for your next destination sunrise, even if the sun is behind a cloud.
What beautiful pictures!
I think I spotted Shaun the Sheep…
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for posting these. It’s great that you have such beautiful countryside and cities so close by.
I love all the architecture, some beautiful stone work in those buildings.
Looks like you had a great journey. Photos are awesome!
I love all of the photos but my fav is the one with Mona and Lisa on the elephant. I also love all of the architecture and the flowering trees. Are they cherry trees?
Mona and Lisa! Thank you so much for sharing! The photo’s are beautiful and captures the beauty. Also looks like a lot of fun! Again I will never have the chance to see this side of our world so thank you for letting us see the beauty that is out there. god bless and love and hugs from Bill and Maddie Isenberg huge fans from Pittsburgh PA USA
I love the pictures but I wish they had some short tags that describe the picture. Like; “Mona & Lisa’s Castle”, something like that. 🙂 I’ll never get to go to Scotland but I do like the architecture. Thanks for sharing and stay groovy!
Thank you for sharing your photos of your Scotland trip. I love seeing parts of the world I will probably never see in person. You are very good at taking pictures and presenting them. Doesn’t surprise me at all. Have a great week.
Aye but bonny wee photos ye ken here ( Yes, I’m an OUTLANDERS books fan and TV show adaptation fan of it, and well, Scottish stuff in general)…
I’m partial though, to the Purple Florals shown
in this collection, and that CowSweater ….💜🐄🐮🏴
I’ve enjoyed seeing all the wonderful historical architectural buildings, etc, whimsical stuff, exquisite landscape, everything you’ve captured … love the floral leather purse, Mona’s bird themed knapsack…. Indeed it was a trip you all thoroughly enjoyed immensely , Thankyou for sharing more photos from that trip…..it felt like I was alongside with you while on that trip …. Hoping you will go back, see more of, maybe to more of Wales, Ireland at some point for both leisure and scoping video location potentials …..
🤘💜
Wonderful photos ladies.
If you ever see Nessie please share a photo.
Thanks for posting these wonderful pictures and keeping us up to date with your exciting lives. Sending Love and Light to the entire Wagner family ….
Such beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I really enjoyed this, thanks for taking us along, love the vlogs and photo-logs of these trips and moments you share with us. 🧡 The photography is stellar! Your Grandpa taught you well. Those compositions are brilliant, the way you frame everything, an otherwise plain landscape, you turn into something so artistic and interesting like those 12 poles sticking out of the lake, and the architectural shots with the patterns, symmetry, colour patterns in the buildings, steeple rising up into the clouds. Love that shot of the castle nestled up on the hill top. My favourite is the shot of the both of you on the elephant.
Northern Scotland is a beautiful and enchanting place. I’m always impressed with those sheep running around in the wild, never see that where I am. I remember how the sheep took over the towns during the covid lockdowns, that was funny.
Thank you!
The elephant picture was my favorite too. Good candidate for next year’s calendar.
Good idea Tim, would make a great calendar photo.
Your photos reminded me of my trip about 5 years ago. I was in Bath for business and I was able to take 2 days and go to Scotland and visit Lockerbie, Moffat, and Peebles. These are the general areas where the Clan Johnstone are based. It was some of the most beautiful countryside I have ever seen and I felt very much at home there.
As always, your photographic eye is very keen. It is redundant to say your photos are beautiful. With you in them, how can they be otherwise?
Thank you for sharing. And in my case, bringing back pleasant memories. Much love to you all.
You two look very beautiful against the gray skies of Scotland. It is true what they say about Scotland. It is magical, enchanting, and romantic. The gray skies with mist and rain does that. And it really enhanced your photos, it made you two look like European princesses.
Anyway, I’m going to Scotland next month and should experience what you two experienced.
Stay groovy too!
Scotland has always struck me as a very mystical place, in which the veil between this world and other planes of existence is very thin. This feeling is certainly captured in your photos. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
That is so true. It is mystical.
Some very nice photos and scenery.
Do both of you need to wear glasses all the time?
Thanks for sharing parts of the world I would never get to see.
very nice photos of a beautiful country! thank you for sharing.